Home Buying Agency RelationshipsUnderstanding Real Estate Agency in Maine If
you are considering buying or selling residential real estate in Maine
it is important for you to understand that state law provides for
different levels of brokerage services. You should decide whether you
want to be represented in a transaction (as a client) or not (as a
customer). The following information should assist you in making that
determination. Maine law requires that all real estate
brokerage companies and their affiliated agents and brokers to perfrom
certain basic duties when dealing with a buyer or seller. There
customer-level services include: 1) To disclose all material defects
pertaining to the physical condition of the property; 2) To treat both
the buyer and seller honestly and 3) To comply with all state and
federal laws pertaining to real estate brokerage activity. If you want to enter into a client-agent relationship, several different options are available: Seller's Agent If
you engage the services of a Listing agent to sell your property, you
become the broker's client. That agent then represents you, the seller,
and owes you undivided loyalty, confidentiality, and accountability. In
negotiating for the best price and terms, your interests first are the
agent's first priority. Buyer's Agent You may
engage the services of a agent to represent you exclusively as a buyer
of real property. In this case, the agent represents you and is
accountable to you only. He or she must obey your instructions, and keep
confidential anything you tell divuldge that may affect your purchase
of real property. In negotiating for the best price and terms, the agent
must always put your interests first, just as in the case of the
selling agent. Disclosed Dual Agent
An agent
can work for both the buyer and the seller on the same transaction,
providing that there is consent of both parties...in writing! In this
case, the agent is considered a "Disclosed Dual Agent." This agent then
owes both the seller and the buyer a duty to deal with them fairly and
honestly, and to hold each of their respective interests in confidence.
In this type of agency relationship, the angent does not represent
either the seller or the buyer exclusively, and neither party can expect
the agent to put one party's interests ahead of the other's, or to
advise either party on how to gain an advantage over the other.
Undisclosed Dual Agency by a broker is illegal. Documents to Download Below
are examples of common documents used in the purchase of a home.
Included are the standard Form 3 (which outlines agency relationships)
and a Residential Transaction Booklet. Our Total Home Buying Program reviews more of our client services and the Residental Property Transaction Booklet. 
Donwload any of the documents below as a PDF.
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