Greenleaf Realty
1803 Whites Road 
Kalamazoo, MI  49008
 
(269) 372-4400 Office
(269) 372-4411 Fax

Open Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  



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AGENCY DISCLOSURE

Before you disclose confidential information to a real estate licensee regarding a real estate transaction you should understand what type of agency relationship you have with that licensee.

As of January 1, 1994, Michigan law requires real estate licensees who are acting as agents of sellers or buyers of real property to disclose the potential sellers or buyers with whom they work of the nature of their agency relationship.

A broker or salesperson may function in any of the following capacities:

Seller's Agent
A sellers agent, under a listing agreement with the seller, acts solely on behalf of the seller.  A seller can authorize a seller's agent to work with sub-agents, buyer's agents and/or transaction coordinators. A sub-agent of the seller is one who has agreed to work with the listing agent, and who, like the listing agent, acts solely on behalf of the seller. Seller's agents and their sub-agents will disclose to the seller known information about the buyer which may be used to the benefit of the seller.  The duties that a seller's agent and subagent owes to the seller include:

  • Promoting the best interests of the seller

  • Fully disclosing to the seller all facts that might affect or influence the seller's decision to accept an offer to purchase

  • Keeping confidential the seller's motivations for selling

  • Presenting all offers to the seller

  • Disclosing the identities of all buyers and all information about the willingness of those buyers to complete the sale or to offer a higher price

  •  

Buyer's Agent
A buyer's agent, under a buyer's agency agreement with the buyer, acts solely on behalf of the buyer.  A sub-agent of the buyer is one who has agreed to work with the buyers agent and who, like the buyers agent, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. Buyers agents and their subagents will disclose to the buyer known information about the seller which may be used to benefit the buyer. The duties a buyer's agent and sub-agent owe to the buyer include:

  • Promoting the best interests of the buyer

  • Fully disclosing to the buyer all facts that might affect or influence the buyer's decision to tender an offer to purchase

  • Keeping confidential the buyer's motivations for buying

  • Presenting all offers on behalf of the buyer

  • Disclosing to the buyer all information about the willingness of the seller to complete the sale or to accept a lower price

 

Dual Agent
A real estate licensee can be the agent of both the seller and the buyer in a transaction, but only with the knowledge and informed consent, in writing, of both the seller and the buyer.

In such a dual agency situation, the licensee will not be able to disclose all known information to either the seller or the buyer. As a dual agent, the licensee will not be able to provide the full range of fiduciary duties to the seller or the buyer.

The obligations of a dual agent are subject to any specific provisions set forth in any agreement between the dual agent, the seller and the buyer.

 

Transaction Coordinator
A transaction coordinator is a licensee who is not acting as an agent of either the seller or the buyer, yet is providing services to complete a real estate transaction.

The transaction coordinator is not an agent for either party and therefore owes no fiduciary duty to either party. The transactional coordinator is not the advocate of either party end therefore has no obligation to negotiate" for either party.

 

Designated Agency
A buyer or seller with a designated agency agreement is represented only by agents specifically named in the agreement.  Any agents of the firm not named in the agreement do not represent the buyer or seller.  The named "designated" agent acts solely on behalf of his or her client and may only share confidential information about the client with the agents supervisory broker who is also named in the agreement.  Other agents in the firm have no duties to the buyer or seller and may act solely on behalf of another party in the transaction.

Click below to view the entire 
Michigan Agency Disclosure Statement:

Agency Disclosure (PDF)

 

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OK--now you know what a Realtor can do for you...but why should you consider retaining a Realtor for your buying or selling needs?  Read on...

“WHAT SERVICES DOES A Realtor PROVIDE?”
by
Thomas Ervin

Homeowners sometimes wonder if they would be dollars ahead by selling their house themselves and saving the fees that are paid to a Realtor. People with a sales background in some other field are particularly tempted to do it on their own. Twenty years ago, when things were much simpler, some people did have success selling their house themselves. Today, we face a much more complicated world in every endeavor including home sales. Here are some of the services that a Realtor provides:

PRICING KNOWLEDGE

It is not easy to determine the proper asking price. Realtors now have computer terminals in their offices that notify them of new listings, recent sales, and price changes as they occur. This vital information reflects the current market in your area is it really is. After making many comparisons between your home and like properties, your Realtor can recommend an asking price that is competitive with similar homes on the market. After the house is listed, periodic checks can be made into the computer system to assure you that your price does keep pace with ever-changing market conditions.

MARKETING EXPERIENCE

Because the sale of your home profoundly affects your financial well being, it is no undertaking for an amateur. It is best to get the help and advice of someone who is working I the real estate business everyday. Realtors also possess selling tools not available to the average homeowner. These include membership in a multiple listing service, large advertising budgets, access to the transferee through referral organizations and corporate relocation departments and home financing expertise used to qualify buyers.

NEGOTIATING AND CLOSING ASSISTANCE

Handling an offer and counter-offer require the right touch. This is only learned through experience. Once the offer is signed and accepted, the job is still not complete. Now, the sale must be guided through numerous closing procedures that involve financing, inspections, conditions, legalities, and a myriad of details.

 

OUR ADVICE: Get the best price for your home by using the services of a Realtor. 

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