A seller's agent must act in the seller's best interest throughout the listing period. This includes pricing guidance, marketing strategy, presenting ALL offers promptly, negotiating favorable terms, and protecting confidential information like the seller's minimum acceptable price or motivation to sell.
A listing agent receives a lowball offer. Even though the agent believes the seller will reject it, the agent MUST present the offer. Failing to present offers violates the fiduciary duty of obedience and the legal requirement to present all offers.
Two critical duties: (1) Present ALL offers — even ones you think will be rejected. (2) Protect confidential info — never reveal the seller's bottom line, motivation, or personal circumstances to the buyer. These are the most commonly tested seller agent duties.
Related Terms
Related Concepts
A legal relationship in which one person (the agent) is authorized to act on behalf of another person (the principal) in business transactions with third parties.
The highest legal obligation of trust and confidence owed by an agent to their principal, requiring the agent to act solely in the principal's best interest.
A situation where a single agent or brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction.
An arrangement where a brokerage assigns separate agents within the firm to represent the buyer and seller in the same transaction, allowing each client to have dedicated representation.
A non-agency relationship where the broker facilitates a real estate transaction without representing either party, owing limited duties of honesty, fairness, and competence to both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Study This in Your State
Seller Agent Duties may have state-specific rules. Choose your state to study Agency with localized content: