If you are selling real estate, you may want to “list” your property for sale with a real estate firm.
If so, you will sign a “listing agreement” authorizing the firm and its agents to represent you in your dealings with buyers as your seller’s agent. You may also be asked to allow agents from other firms to help find a buyer for your property. Be sure to read and understand the listing agreement before you sign it.
Duties to Seller
Promote your best interests
Be loyal to you
Follow your lawful instructions
Provide you with all material facts that could influence your decisions
Use reasonable skill, care and diligence
Account for all monies they handle for you
Once you have signed the listing agreement, the firm and its agents may not give any confidential information about you to prospective buyers or their agents without your permission so long as they represent you. But until you sign the listing agreement, you should avoid telling the listing agent anything you would not want a buyer to know.
Services and Compensation
To help you sell your property, the listing firm and its agents will offer to perform a number of services for you. These may include:
Helping you price your property
Advertising and marketing your property
Giving you all required property disclosure forms for you to complete
Negotiating for you the best possible price and terms
Reviewing all written offers with you
Otherwise promoting your interests