We understand that buyers have different needs when working with a Realtor to find a property, so we offer three different levels of service. The choice is yours . . . .

1)      For buyers who pretty much know exactly what they want, but they just need a Realtor to show them inside some properties, then help them submit an offer and monitor the contract process through to closing.

We will work with you as a Transaction Broker .

Most real estate companies work with both buyers and sellers and the Florida real estate licensing law presume that we work as Transactions Brokers. This is a very efficient way to get the job done, where an agent works with one (or even both) parties to facilitate the transaction and ensure the deal gets done as smoothly as possible. As a Transaction Broker, licensees have a duty to treat all parties honestly and fairly and not represent one party to the detriment of the other, but neither party working with a Transaction Broker has the right to the undivided loyalty or full confidentiality of the agent. This type of agency offers limited representation to you as a buyer.

2)      For buyers who prefer a Realtor to represent their best interests, fully advise them and negotiate on their behalf to get them the best possible deal, in addition to assisting them with all other peripheral services needed for their new purchase, throughout the contract process to closing and beyond.

We will work with you as a Single Agent, under an Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement.  

Buyers then “hire” us as their Realtor to represent them, in pretty much the same way that they hire an attorney. This is the only way a Realtor can legally fully represent a buyer’s interests above the seller’s. Also, when buyers work with a Realtor this way, Realtors are more likely to return the commitment and loyalty in working harder for their buyer, more confident that if the buyer does buy, they will buy through them and not someone else.

Realtors almost always earn their commissions by splitting the seller paid listing commission with the listing brokerage, so it is rare for buyers to have to pay any commissions. However, in the rare case of the listing commission not being paid this way, or not being sufficient to cover the “normal” compensation that Realtors can expect, a Buyer Representation Agreement allows for any commission deficiency to be paid by the buyer at closing. In the rare cases where this is ever necessary, most buyers agree that the small amount is definitely worth having the extra representation, knowledge and experience from their Realtor.

In addition, when you work with us under an Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement, we will be happy to help you not only with properties listed in the MLS, but also with unlisted properties, FSBOs (For Sale by Owner) and other properties not paying the full commission, which gives you a broader range of available properties to choose from.

An Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement does not commit buyers to buying anything (or paying any commissions) if nothing is suitable and if they decide not to buy, but it does guarantee that if they do buy anything during the term of the agreement, that their Realtor will be their only representative and that they will not buy it through anyone else.

3)      A third option is available, where a $500 retainer is payable to Dolby Properties. This will then be applied to the purchase (non refundable otherwise), but at closing, Dolby Properties will then credit the buyer with an additional $500 buyer rebate.

Under this option, buyers hire us under the Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement described in option 2 above, but upon signing and before any work is done, buyers pay the $500 retainer to Dolby Properties. If the buyer does not make any purchase during the term of the agreement, Dolby Properties will retain the $500 to cover the costs of working for the buyer, but if the buyer does purchase through Dolby Properties during the term of the agreement, the $500 will be refunded and buyer will earn an additional $500 rebate.

So, the bottom line is that we will be delighted to help you as a buyer and the choice is always yours as to the level of service you receive.