• Pre-qualifying a Buyer for a loan
• Requesting specific financial information from a Buyer
• Showing property to a Buyer (Open Houses are exempted)
• Discussing the making of an offer with a Buyer
• Submitting an offer on behalf of a Buyer

In Ohio, there are 5 recognized types of agency. The type of agency practiced by a real estate company will determine who the company and its Realtors will represent - or NOT represent - during your purchase of a home. Real estate companies are allowed to create their own company versions of the "Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships," as long as it complies with Ohio license law.

1) Split Agency: A real estate company that lists property as a seller's agent, but acts as a "buyer's agent" on other companies' listings. During in-house transactions, when there's TWO Realtors involved with a listing, ONE works for the buyers, while ANOTHER Realtor - from the SAME company - works for the sellers. When there's just ONE Realtor acting as both seller's agent AND as buyer's agent, then he/she is a Dual Agent. Companies that practice Split Agency are supposed to protect confidential information within their office. But how can they guarantee it?

2) Dual Agency: A company that "represents" sellers and buyers, but these Realtors are always Dual Agents on every in-house transaction. This agency is for companies that don't believe they can protect confidential information between the Realtors in their office. Although a Dual Agent is often hired first by the sellers for selling their home, the law requires Dual Agents to remain "neutral" towards Buyers - and they cannot advocate OR negotiate OR protect the Buyer's best interests. When a Dual Agent/Realtor is hired first by a seller - whether it's a relative, or a friend, or golf buddy, or just a seller - how confidential will the Buyer's confidential information remain?

3) Split Agency/No Dual: A company that lists homes, represents buyers, practices Split Agency, and not Dual Agency. But when the buyer wants to purchase a home listed with his/her "buyer's agent," the agency relationship with the Buyer is terminated, and the Realtor will represent only the seller. How's that grab you for loyalty to a Buyer?

4) Exclusive Seller Agency only: A real estate brokerage that lists property for sellers and acts as a subagent of the seller on other broker's listings. Buyers are treated as customers by these Realtors. Dual agency is not practiced by this type of company.

5) Exclusive Buyer Agency only: A real estate company that ONLY REPRESENTS BUYERS. This company does NOT take listings, does NOT practice Seller Agency, does NOT practice Split Agency, does NOT practice Dual Agency. Buyers are CLIENTS - not customers. The Buyer's confidential information IS PROTECTED and remains CONFIDENTIAL. This company CAN GUARANTEE LOYALTY to the Buyers. THE BUYER’S AGENT, Buyer Broker Real Estate practices genuine Exclusive Buyer Agency ONLY, and is the BEST choice for all Buyers. Unlike the traditional Realtor - who starts as your "buyer's agent" but will CHANGE to practice either Dual Agency and/or Split Agency - we are ALWAYS on the Buyer's side, protecting the Buyer's best interests from start to finish!