Definition of "Dual listing"

Danny  Skelly  real estate agent

Written by

Danny Skelly elite badge icon

Orson Hill Realty

When you sign a Listing Agreement with a real estate broker or agent, he or she has a fiduciary responsibility to represent your interests exclusively. However, should another client of the real estate broker or agent want to make an offer on your house, the agent/broker would then find himself in a Dual Listing.

But how can he do his/her job of representing my interests exclusively if the home buyer is also his/her client? you ask.

Well, he can’t. Only if you (and the home buyer) agree so. A dual listing occurring without the knowledge of both the home seller and the home buyer violates the principal fiduciary relationship and therefore is illegal. So, whenever an agent/broker notices this conflict of interests happening, the first thing he/she needs to do is warn both clients. If both of them aren’t bothered by that… then game on!

Real Estate Secrets:

Dual Listing is yet another Listing Agreement ramification. Check out others like Net Listings, Open Listings, Option Listing and much more in our Glossary terms.

If that feels too advanced for you, go back to basics and try our Listings 101: What you need to know when you hire a Real Estate Agent or a Broker blog post.

Want no such thing? We’ll give you the TL;DR version: find a real estate agent and let him/her do all the heavy lifting.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Arrangement whereby a party providing financing gets a portion of the ownership. ...

A style of architecture originating in Europe in the 1920s. The international architecture design was very functional and emphasized buildings constructed of steel, reinforced concrete, and ...

A lower phase of a business cycle in which the economy is deteriorating, coupled with a declining rate of business investment and consumer spending. Real Estate prices are typically ...

Evaluation of housing requirements based on family size, ages, occupations, marital status, and other population characteristics. ...

Fee paid only if other criteria are met. ...

Holding and controlling property. It includes not only custody but also having some legal right. An example is occupying real property and enjoying its benefits. ...

location where someone stays on a permanent basis. An example is a home to a family. ...

Yearly tax return filed by an individual or couple. It is due to the federal taxing authority on April 15 for the preceding calendar year. The taxpayer reports gross income, adjustments to ...

Provision in a credit contract specifying that if the lender sues the borrower for late payments, the borrower accepts guilt in advance, irrespective of the reason for nonpayment. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions