Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

June 15th Real Estate Agents in BC are banned from Limited Dual Agency. It’s an old lesson and it’s time now for agents to understand what this really means.

To me, it’s the goal to avoid conflicts of interest. My interest to support and protect the interests of my client needs to be placed at the forefront of my actions. Yet, real estate is a consumer game. Buying, selling, products, services, features and benefits, and emotions are involved. It’s not so cut a dried as some would like.

Let’s say I work for a developer selling new downtown condo’s and they are selling fast. My mom wants to buy one. Today, based on the rules, I would have to step aside and get my mom and the developer new individual agents. Agents that neither really know. Interesting. I don’t think this serves either of them very well at all. The delay could cost my mom a place to live. Mmmm.

Or, I list a home down the street in my area and my buyer clients whom I have shown many, many properties want to view the property. Technically, I am now in a conflict. And worse, if they want to buy it, I could again be double recused. This one I understand but I still struggle with.

Can agents create a thriving business serving one master? I know we can. But it’s a hard profession to succeed in and perhaps one of the hardest to “make it”. So, next time you meet with your agent, discuss these changes and how you will tackle these issues should you run into them. You will need to be flexible and you may not feel “served” but let’s hope you get the deal!