Dual Agent or Dual Representative means a licensee who has a brokerage relationship with both seller and buyer in the same real estate transaction.

The Code of Virginia states that a dual agent cannot:

1. Advise either seller or buyer as to the terms, offers or counteroffers (except, however, that the dual agent may have already provided such advice to the seller prior to representing the buyer);

2. Advise the buyer as to the suitability of the property, its condition (other than to make any disclosures as required by law of any licensee representing a seller), and cannot advise either party as to repairs of the property (to make or request);

3. Advise either party in any dispute that might later arise relating to the transaction;

The agent will be acting without knowledge of the client’s needs, client’s experience in the market, or client’s experience in handling real estate transactions unless he has gained that information from earlier contact with the client.

Remember that either party may engage another licensee if additional representation is required.