Expert: Dottie Worthington - 5/25/2004

Question
In this hypothetical situation, an owner lists a house for sale with a neighborhood broker. The house is subsequently sold by an agent not affiliated with the listing broker.  Can the seller rest assured that the broker and agent each have a responsibility to always represent the best interests of the seller in that the seller is the one paying the commission?
In other words, for whom do these people work?

Answer
Dear Jim:
This is usually in writing on the offer as to who represents who. I don't know what state you are in, but in Texas the listing agents represents the seller and can sometimes also represent the buyer. Also the buyer may have their own agent and you still pay the commission and that is spelled out in the lsiting agreement and/or the contract for sale. Read your contracts and see what it says.