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

Governmentally held records of public transactions giving constructive notice that documentation exists confirming the transaction. ...

Requires collateral to secure the debt. An example of collateral might be one's home. ...

The United States has a law named “eminent domain” that grants local, state, or federal government the right to take ownership of a private property with or without the consent ...

An investigation to ascertain who legally has the title to property. For example, when a house is sold, the attorney for the purchase will do a title search to guarantee that the seller ...

Occurring two times per year; also called semiannual. On the other hand, biennial means occurring each two years. ...

Structure built into the water from the land providing a facility for boats to tie up. A dock will often provide utility access ...

(1) Mildly convex arch built into a load bearing beam, girder, or truss to counteract any load bearing stress placed on it. (2) Slight slope designed into a structure such as a drive4way or ...

initial plaster used on a lathe. ...

A lease contract to possess a parcel or property for a certain period of time. A leased fee estate is a conditional estate conveyance in real property for a specified period of time. The ...

Popular Real Estate Questions