Can You Have More Than One Realtor at Once?

Real estate agents serve as guides in buying or selling property. They offer market knowledge, negotiation skills, and understanding of transaction paperwork. Engaging an agent can streamline the process, provide access to market opportunities through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and offer professional support during a significant financial undertaking.

Exclusive Agent Agreements

When engaging a real estate agent, individuals often encounter exclusive agreements, defining a singular working relationship for a specific transaction. An exclusive buyer representation agreement, for instance, commits a buyer to work solely with one agent for a defined period within a specified geographic area. This contract ensures the agent’s dedicated service and attention.

Similarly, sellers commonly enter into an exclusive right-to-sell listing agreement, granting a single agent the sole authority to market and sell their property. Under this arrangement, the agent is entitled to a commission upon the sale of the property, regardless of who ultimately finds the buyer. This structure motivates the agent to invest significant time and resources, including professional marketing and advertising, into selling the property.

These exclusive agreements establish clear expectations and compensation structures. Attempting to engage another agent for the exact same property or search objective while under an exclusive contract would typically constitute a breach of the agreement. Such contracts are legally binding documents that outline the agent’s duties, the term length, and compensation details.

Non-Exclusive Agent Scenarios

While exclusive agreements are common, situations exist where individuals can work with multiple real estate agents. For sellers, an “open listing” agreement offers this flexibility. Under an open listing, a seller can engage multiple real estate agents, and only the agent who successfully brings a ready, willing, and able buyer earns a commission. The seller also retains the right to sell the property independently, in which case no commission is owed to any agent.

This type of agreement is less common because agents are less motivated without a guaranteed commission. Multiple agents showing the same property without clear compensation can limit dedicated service. However, it provides maximum flexibility for sellers who wish to explore various avenues for their property’s sale.

For buyers, working with multiple agents is possible if no exclusive buyer representation agreement has been signed with any of them. Without such an agreement, a buyer is not legally bound to a single agent. However, this approach often means agents are less likely to offer their full, dedicated service, as their compensation is not assured. Buyers might find it practical to work with different agents for distinct property types or in separate geographic regions, provided there is no overlap in the specific search criteria covered by any existing agreements.

Managing Multiple Agent Interactions

When interacting with multiple real estate agents, clear communication is important to prevent misunderstandings and disputes. Be transparent with each agent about the nature of your working relationship, specifying whether it is exclusive or non-exclusive. This clarity helps manage expectations and can avoid conflicts, particularly concerning commission.

In non-exclusive scenarios, determining which agent is entitled to a commission relies on the legal principle of “procuring cause.” This means the commission is typically paid to the agent whose uninterrupted actions led directly to the successful transaction. If a buyer works with several agents and purchases a property one of them introduced, the agent who was the primary cause of the sale would generally be compensated.

Working with multiple agents can lead to a duplication of effort, where different agents may show the same properties or conduct similar searches. This can be inefficient and may not necessarily accelerate the home search or sale process. Before signing any agreement, review all contractual terms, including exclusivity clauses, the duration of the agreement, and any conditions for termination or compensation. Understanding these details helps ensure that all parties are aware of their obligations and rights.