BUYER AGENT, works for a traditional real estate office that takes listings. If a buyer wishes to purchase a home listed by their office, they can declare Dual Agency, and they attempt to "represent" both the sellers and the buyers - if the buyers give written consent. As a Dual Agent, they must remain "neutral" towards buyers. As a Dual Agent, they CANNOT negotiate on behalf of the buyer, and they CANNOT recommend specific contract terms, including purchase price - or any other clauses - that will protect you, the buyer. "No Realtor can serve two Masters."

SELLER AGENT, works in a traditional real estate office that takes listings. Advertises homes for sale and holds open houses. Always represents sellers and will be a Dual Agent anytime they "represent" the buyers.

SELLER SUB-AGENT, works for a traditional office and is authorized to represent the seller. In seller sub-agency, the buyer is not represented in any agency capacity.

BUYER SUB-AGENT, works in a traditional office and can be authorized to "represent" buyers when a Buyer Agent declares Dual Agency. In buyer sub-agency, a buyer can be "represented" by an agent who works in the same office as the seller's agent during an "in-house sale" of a traditional office's listing.

DUAL AGENT, works in a traditional office that takes listings, and will attempt to "represent" both the sellers and the buyers in the same transaction. They CANNOT "advocate or negotiate on behalf of" the buyer, and they CANNOT "suggest or recommend specific terms," including purchase price - or any other clauses - that will protect you, the buyer. According to Ohio law, Dual Agents must remain "neutral" towards buyers. Some states have made Dual Agency illegal - probably because "No Realtor can serve two Masters."

SPLIT AGENT*, works in a traditional office that takes listings, and "represents" either buyers or sellers during Dual Agency transactions. A split agent can enter a transaction as a "buyer agent" or a seller agent, or may be appointed from within the brokerage to "represent" either a buyer or a seller involved in Dual Agency during an "in-house sale" of a traditional office's listing.

*Split Agent is used by the Ohio Association of Realtors to denote an agent involved in a Dual Agency transaction, when one agent "represents" buyers and one agent "represents" sellers during an "in-house sale" of a traditional office's listing.

WARNING: Except for EXCLUSIVE BUYER AGENTS, all other agents can switch sides during a transaction, from representing buyers to representing sellers, and vice versa. In those situations, the agent and their brokerage would both be Dual Agents.

EXCLUSIVE BUYER AGENT, works for an office that does not take any listings and represents buyers only. Guarantees confidentiality of bargaining strategy and financial position. Guarantees to never declare Dual Agency or Split Agency. Guarantees full representation - all the time. Always represents buyers as a Client, not as a customer. Clients receive objective opinions - and unbiased evaluations - on ANY home for sale. Will point out the reasons for NOT buying a home. Never a conflict of interest for buyers, because there's no allegiance with any sellers. Will include clauses with the contract to further protect the buyer’s best interests. A genuine Exclusive Buyer Agent is the only type of agent or Realtor who is always on the buyer’s side - on ANY home you choose to buy!