|
MINNESOTA LAW REQUIRES that early in any relationship,
real estate brokers or salespersons discuss with consumers what type
of agency representation or relationship they desire. (1) The available
options are listed below. This is NOT a contract. This is an
agency disclosure form only. If you desire representation, you must
enter into a written contract according to state law (a listing contract
or a buyer representation contract). UNTIL SUCH TIME AS YOU CHOOSE TO
ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT FOR REPRESENTATION OR ASSISTANCE, YOU
WILL BE TREATED AS A CUSTOMER OF THE BROKER OR SALESPERSON AND NOT REPRESENTED
BY THE BROKERAGE. The broker or salesperson would then be acting as
a Seller's Broker (see paragraph I below), or as a nonagent (see paragraph
IV below).
I. SELLER'S BROKER: A broker who lists a property,
or a salesperson who is licensed to the listing broker, represents the
Seller and acts on behalf of the Seller. A broker or salesperson working
with a Buyer may also act as a subagent of the Seller, in which case
the Buyer is the broker's customer and is not represented by that broker.
A Seller's broker owes to the Seller the fiduciary duties described
below. (2) The broker must also disclose to the Buyer any material facts
of which the broker is aware that could adversely and significantly
affect the Buyer's use or enjoyment of the property. If a broker or
salesperson working with a Buyer as a customer is representing the Seller,
he or she must act in the Seller(s)' interests and must tell the Seller(s)
any information disclosed to him/her. In that case, the Buyer will not
be represented and will not receive advice and counsel from the broker
or salesperson.
II. BUYER'S BROKER: A Buyer may enter into an agreement
for the broker or salesperson to represent and act on behalf of the
Buyer. The broker may represent the Buyer only, and not the Seller,
even if s/he is being paid in whole or in part by the Seller. A Buyer's
broker owes to the Buyer the fiduciary duties described below. (2) The
broker must disclose to the Buyer any material facts of which the broker
is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer's use
or enjoyment of the property.
III. DUAL AGENCY - BROKER REPRESENTING BOTH SELLER
AND BUYER: Dual agency occurs when one broker or salesperson represents
both parties to a transaction, or when two salespersons licensed to
the same broker each represent a party to the transaction. Dual agency
requires the informed consent of all parties, and means that the broker
and salesperson owe the same duties to the Seller and the Buyer. This
role limits the level of representation the broker and salespersons
can provide, and prohibits them from acting exclusively for wither party.
In a dual agency, confidential information about price, terms and motivation
for pursuing a transaction will be kept confidential unless one party
instructs the broker or salesperson in writing to disclose specific
information about him or her. Other information will be shared. Dual
agents may not advocate for one party to the detriment of the other.
(3)
Within the limitations described above, dual agents owe
to both Seller and Buyer the fiduciary duties described below. (2) Dual
agents must disclose to Buyers any material facts of which the broker
is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer's use
or enjoyment of the property.
IV. NONAGENT: A broker or salesperson may perform
services for wither party as a nonagent, if that party signs a nonagency
services agreement. As a nonagent the broker or salesperson facilitates
the transaction, but does not act on behalf of either party. THE NONAGENT
BROKER OR SALESPERSON DOES NOT OWE ANY PARTY ANY OF THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES
LISTED BELOW, UNLESS THOSE DUTIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN NONAGENCY
SERVICES AGREEMENT. The nonagent broker or salesperson owes only those
duties required by law or contained in the written nonagency services
agreement.
(1) This disclosure is required by law in any transaction
involving property occupied or intended to be occupied by one to four
families as their residence.
(2) The fiduciary duties mentioned above are listed
below and have the following meanings: LOYALTY - broker/salesperson
will act only in client(s)' best interest. OBEDIENCE - broker/salesperson
will carry out all client(s)' lawful instructions. DISCLOSURE - broker/salesperson
will disclose to client(s) all material facts of which broker/salesperson
has knowledge which might reasonably affect the client's rights and
interests. CONFIDENTIALITY - broker/salesperson will keep client(s)'
confidences unless required by law to disclose specific information
(such as disclosure of material facts to Buyers). REASONABLE CARE -
broker/salesperson will use reasonable care in performing duties as
an agent. ACCOUNTING - broker/salesperson will account to client(s)'
money and property received as agent.
(3) If Seller(s) decides not to agree to a dual
agency relationship, Seller(s) may give up the opportunity to sell the
property to Buyers represented by the broker/salesperson. If Buyer(s)
decides not to agree to a dual agency relationship, Buyer(s) may give
up the opportunity to purchase properties listed by the broker.
|