What is Dual Agency?
Dual agency is when a single agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. It is legal in California only with the informed, written consent of both parties, and the agent must remain neutral on price. Because the agent can’t fully advocate for either side, buyers and sellers should understand the trade-offs.
Example: A buyer wants a home listed by their own agent’s brokerage; both sides sign a dual-agency disclosure acknowledging the arrangement before proceeding.