Information About Brokerage Services
0 likes204 views
This document summarizes the duties and obligations of real estate brokers depending on who they represent. Brokers can represent the owner/seller, the buyer, or act as an intermediary between the two parties with written consent. As an intermediary, the broker must treat both parties honestly, cannot disclose certain confidential information without permission, and may appoint other licensed individuals to communicate with each party. The document stresses that any agreements between brokers and clients should be in writing to clearly establish each party's responsibilities.
Information About Brokerage Services
- 1. 10-10-11 Approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission for Voluntary Use Texas law requires all real estate licensees to give the following information about brokerage services to prospective buyers, tenants, sellers and landlords. Information About Brokerage Services B efore working with a real estate broker, you intermediary. The written consent must state who will should know that the duties of a broker pay the broker and, in conspicuous bold or underlined depend on whom the broker represents. If print, set forth the broker’s obligations as an you are a prospective seller or landlord intermediary. The broker is required to treat each (owner) or a prospective buyer or tenant (buyer), you party honestly and fairly and to comply with The should know that the broker who lists the property for Texas Real Estate License Act. A broker who acts as sale or lease is the owner’s agent. A broker who acts an intermediary in a transaction: as a subagent represents the owner in cooperation (1) shall treat all parties honestly; with the listing broker. A broker who acts as a buyer’s agent represents the buyer. A broker may act as an (2) may not disclose that the owner will accept a intermediary between the parties if the parties price less that the asking price unless authorized in consent in writing. A broker can assist you in locating writing to do so by the owner; a property, preparing a contract or lease, or obtaining (3) may not disclose that the buyer will pay a financing without representing you. A broker is price greater than the price submitted in a written offer obligated by law to treat you honestly. unless authorized in writing to do so by the buyer; and IF THE BROKER REPRESENTS THE OWNER: (4) may not disclose any confidential information or The broker becomes the owner’s agent by entering any information that a party specifically instructs the into an agreement with the owner, usually through a broker in writing not to disclose unless authorized in written - listing agreement, or by agreeing to act as a writing to disclose the information or required to do so by subagent by accepting an offer of subagency from the The Texas Real Estate License Act or a court order or if listing broker. A subagent may work in a different real the information materially relates to the condition of the estate office. A listing broker or subagent can assist property. the buyer but does not represent the buyer and must place the interests of the owner first. The buyer With the parties’ consent, a broker acting as an should not tell the owner’s agent anything the buyer intermediary between the parties may appoint a person would not want the owner to know because an who is licensed under The Texas Real Estate License owner’s agent must disclose to the owner any Act and associated with the broker to communicate material information known to the agent. with and carry out instructions of one party and another person who is licensed under that Act and IF THE BROKER REPRESENTS THE BUYER: associated with the broker to communicate with and The broker becomes the buyer’s agent by entering carry out instructions of the other party. into an agreement to represent the buyer, usually through a written buyer representation agreement. A If you choose to have a broker represent you, buyer’s agent can assist the owner but does not you should enter into a written agreement with the represent the owner and must place the interests of broker that clearly establishes the broker’s obligations the buyer first. The owner should not tell a buyer’s and your obligations. The agreement should state agent anything the owner would not want the buyer how and by whom the broker will be paid. You have to know because a buyer’s agent must disclose to the the right to choose the type of representation, if any, buyer any material information known to the agent. you wish to receive. Your payment of a fee to a broker does not necessarily establish that the broker IF THE BROKER ACTS AS AN INTERMEDIARY: represents you. If you have any questions regarding A broker may act as an intermediary between the the duties and responsibilities of the broker, you parties if the broker complies with The Texas Real should resolve those questions before proceeding. Estate License Act. The broker must obtain the written consent of each party to the transaction to act as an Real estate licensee asks that you acknowledge receipt of this information about brokerage services for the licensee’s records. Buyer, Seller, Landlord or Tenant Date Texas Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons are licensed and regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). If you have a question or complaint regarding a real estate licensee, you should contact TREC at P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188 , 512-936-3000 (http://www.trec.texas.gov) TREC No. OP-K TAR 2501