Agents Can't Advise Clients of Other REALTORS

Real estate agents who belong to the National Association of REALTORs subscribe to a Code of Ethics which prevents, in part, agent interference.

Agent interference is when a real estate agent interferes with the fiduciary relationship another REALTOR enjoys with his or her client. It means REALTORS can't give advice to a random seller or buyer who are represented by another REALTOR. Not every real estate agent is a REALTOR but most of them are if they want MLS access. It's a bit of a quandary for buyers and sellers who want to verify what their agent is telling them. They can't really ask another agent for an opinion because if an agent gives it, that agent, if a REALTOR, might be interfering.

I try to explain why I can't offer my opinion or advice to people who are represented but they rarely understand. They say, just give your opinion, don't give advice. Same thing, I can't. Agent interference is also the reason I sometimes can't give real estate advice to readers of this blog.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• How to Size Up Agents
  
• Is Your Agent a Liar?
  
• Things Your Agent Should Never Say

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_{At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, DRE # 00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.}