As a Buyer - Why Take the Risk of Hiring a "Buyer Agent" (Dual Agency Possibility) When You Can Have an Exclusive Buyer Agent (No Dual Agency)?

The answer is - you shouldn't take the risk... It's a no-brainer. When you use an Exclusive Buyer Agent (they and their company never list property for sale) - and you are assured of 100% representation - 100% of the time.

Unfortunately - Dual Agency is legal in Illinois because traditional firms lobbied for it - in order to preserve the ability for their agents to obtain "double dip" commission. Never mind that it isn't good for the consumer...

How can a Realtor, in all honesty, work for two Clients on opposing sides of a transaction? How can you place your Client's interest first, when there are two of them, one trying to get the highest price possible and the other trying to get the lowest price possible? You can't.

Unfortunately when consumers meet with a so-called "Buyer Agent" the first time - and there is no contract - over 80% of consumers in Illinois aren't told by their agent that they can get into a "Dual Agency" situation until it happens.... when their buyer client wants to write a contract on their own listing (that they happened to "sell" to their client.) The law says they were supposed to disclose that they could - upon first contact - but it rarely happens. Thus - the home buyer is left in the dark - and doesn't realize the conflicts that can crop up. (Would have never happened - had they used an Exclusive Buyer Agent.)

An Agency relationship creates a fiduciary between the Agent and Principal. Take away the fiduciary and there is no Agency. When entering into Dual Agency relationship, this fiduciary must be modified, to the point of no longer existing, in order to assist both clients equally. A fiduciary is NOT equal. Here lies the problem. Dual Agency, by it's very nature, is not an Agency relationship. Below are some excellent links that delve into the problems with Dual Agency a little further.

http://www.realestatelawyers.com/Dual-agency.cfm

http://www.realestatejournal.com/columnists/housetalk/20031010-barta.html

http://realtytimes.com/rtapages/20050208_dualagency.htm

This is why I've chosen to sacrifice half of my potential income - to only be one "one side of the fence" - that of the buyer. If it was about the money - I'd be like every other agent - working both sides. It is about the ethics to me..

Lake County Illinois Real Estate, Golf Courses in Hawthorn Woods, and Lake County Illinois Forest Preserve Golf Courses

If you are thinking about purchasing a home in Lake County Illinois that is near a lot of golf courses - Hawthorn Woods is the place. While
Hawthorn Woods Country Club is in Hawthorn Woods - you can zoom in to see the huge number of golf courses surrounding Hawthorn Woods!

Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, Steeple Chase Golf Club (Mundelein Park District), Countryside Golf Club (Mundelein), Ivanhoe Golf Club (Mundelein), Four Winds Golf Club (Mundelein), and Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove - surround Hawthorn Woods.

Would you like a luxury home with a magnificent pond surrounding it - with white swans and herons - and a real USGA spec golf green in the backyard, with sand traps and water hazards for practicing? E-mail me - and I'll fill you in.

The Lake County Forest Preserve district has four different courses that you can golf on.

For more information on Lake County Forest Preserve Golf Courses - check out the following links:

Lake County Forest Preserve Information

Countryside Golf Club

Thunderhawk Golf Club

Brae Loch Golf Club

Ft Sheridan Golf Club