That's one of the reasons why cars have more than one mirror.  Maybe the question is how are they used?  

It is a lot less than people think. Don't know the current stats but I remember doing them once. In my estimation, you've got better odds on the lotto.

I feel torn with dual agency, I do not think that the buyer gets the representation that they need. It is legal in IL so I can do it if I choose too plus others taking over also.

Well first of all it only happens if you are a listing agent Peter Mohylsky . I represented several builders/developers when I was active and I had more than 50 of my transactions being both sides to me. Speaking of here in Minot ND I'd guess that between 10 and 20 percent of the time one agent has both sides.

Not sure Peter. I pay attention to the local market. Residential home buyers are wise to seek out representation, as listing agents and builders represent the seller's/their own best interests here.

I can't speak nationally, I only know my own experiene. I do not encourage doing both sides of a sale... when I'm a dual agent I'm not able to represent either party's interests. But let's face it... I'm hired by my clients for my expertise in negotiations and to represent their best interests. To me it's a conflict of interest to suddenly stop representing my client. In 26 years, I haven't done more than six sales representing both sides... and those were simple deals where conflict of interest was not going to arise.

I generally prefer to refer the buyer side to another agent, however when I was a buyer I preferred that my agent had both sides and I suspect that many feel this way since it is much simpler for all when you have no people trying to be adversaries and one person concentrating on just getting the job done.

We'd all like to have both sides like it was in the "good ole days" when everyone worked for the seller. But those times have changed and & I don;t encourage dual agency

We love it when it happens but it is always up to the parties to accept that representation.

I am the person that buyers call when their butt is in a vice with another agent...they want us to "fix it" or tell them what to do.

Too late...I listen to the story and then tell them to call an attorney.

Most times it is a broker that is sitting in the middle trying to cajole both sides into some agreement that will keep the ultimate double dip in their  pocket.  The buyers are heartbroken and feel that they are being screwed...they are.

In Florida "dual agency" morphed into "transaction broker" so that agents could dupe more consumers into thinking that they really had someone on their side. 

Dual agency (double agent) is a word that most will understand. A Transaction Broker is a word that fools the consumer...a florida transaction broker is just a better name for a dual agent.  In fact it is a dual agent without any fiduciary duty.

I don't care how smart someone is or how good looking they are...there is NO WAY that any dual agent can work magic by serving 2 masters that have opposing interests.

Conflict of interest is the reason that I have never double dipped a transaction.  I make one side of the deal and am not complaining about the money I make. 

I have maximum job satisfaction knowing I am making a difference in a home buyers purchase.

Eve

1st Question:  I do not know. 

I am not a fan of dual agency.  I've done it twice in 16+ years. Once it worked out well the other was a transaction from Hell-o with a bully investor who ended up being sued by 35+ contractors for non-payment and embezzled 6 Million from an investor. He was ultimately arrested. 

I have no idea about the stats but suspect they are fairly low. There are some data from Ken Jones, Realtor .  I have only done 3 transactions with both sides but it's been years.

For me NEVER! I just don't think you can serve two masters! I know those that do, and have no problems! I just called do it myself 

The opportunity comes up almost all the time but the welfare of the client takes precedence and a split is introduced. The temptation to not cooperate, string along the client & keep it all is strong and doable but looked down on as a rule. We forget money (and power) brings out who a person really is everytime and the love of money takes us into another world. Woe unto us

Peter Mohylsky I prefer other agents sell my listings.

as buyer agency becomes more understood, I would think the full pop would be eliminated....everyone deserves proper representation.... buyer agents should sell every listing.... I think they sell the majority unless the listing agent plays games...

we don't play games....we move property!!

In the past year, 27 deals and 9 were dual for me. So 33.33%. Like a record!

I can't speak to outside my area. I can note that those 9 deals I did myself were the highest dollar deals and also went the most smoothly. 5 of those 9 deals, at least one of the clients was a repeat client or has since done another deal with my office.
I have a lot more problems with unsophisticated agents doing commercial transactions than any issues with 'unfair treatment' in dual agency transactions. And this is ALWAYS addressed AT TIME OF LISTING.
Only one client in recent memory has asked that I not represent the buyer, and I am happy to refer buyers out to my trusted colleagues in that event.

I used to get both sides on 1 in every 3 listings before Zillow, and others, started selling off the rights to our listings. Since getting sold-out the #'s have went down but I still get both sides on deals. I have 1 right now. Many times it's my wife's listing & I have the buyer or vice versa. 

Great question!

What is even better is every agent on AR can search their MLS for closed transactions for the last 30, or 60 or 90 days and get a good snapshot. My MLS actually allows a Listing agent equals selling agent' search.

Brokers in collaboration with associations are rabid about preventing 'pocket listing' which was a great driver of double-siding.

Now, do the same MLS search for 2015, when pocket listing were more common.

It is not what the client wants (double siding can and most often is beneficial to the client)  but is crucial for brokers and associations to ensure agents have few choices.

I won't share my finding until others have demonstrated some effort.

Here in NH you do not have to by a dual agent to do both sides. I can be a listing agent, have a buyer reach out to me direct, i dont represent the buyer but can be a facilitator, show them the home, write the offer but dont offer any advice. I would say most often on my short sales and bank owned listings, buyers reach out to me direct to avoid buyer agents with no clue how bank owned or short sales works. 

There was an NAR chart with the statistic that a listing agent had a 25% chance of selling their own listing. I have sold my own listing many times. In Maryland you have a disclosure form Understanding who the agent represents that needs to be presented to a Buyer prior to showing. I find experienced Buyers have no issues working with the listing agent, but I also see less double dipping for listing agents in today's real estate world.

Not very often in my opinion. And that is often enough for me!

I have no idea about nationally or even locally.  I know it's not very common for me, though I'd love for it to be more common.  :)

In our area it's about 15%.

I don’t think that is the most important question about an agents role. What is best for the client is.

More than should be allowed!

Seems here that if it is done the properties are sold at the same time it goes into the MLS.

Follow the rules in your state.

I can only speak for my own experience and the answer is "not often".  Yes, I've done it and quite honestly, the process runs much more efficiently than it would've with some of the "other" agents out there. That being said, it is tough to truly represent both sides; even when attorneys are involved...  My most recent practice is to refer to a competent colleague.  

We probably handle both sides in about 10% of our deals.

Dual agency is alive and doing well in my area.  Not all that uncommon

Peter,

I don't have an opinion on this, nor have I analyze this.  A

Small time agents work on being on both sides on purpose. I avoid have presentations as a listing agent request another agent represent the other parties. There are several 1000 lawyers in next town. Most have a broker license they will certainly demand seening their offers and others rejected signed by the sellers. A few have lost their licenses.

I've never heard statistics but, I think it's quite low in my area. It is frowned upon and honestly, I wish NC & SC both would deem it illegal. 

It's a conflict of interest and as I tell buyers who call me, thinking I'm the listing agent - "I'm NOT the listing agent and you don't want me to be! The listing agent has an established relationship with the sellers and you are NOT going to win or save a red cent if you go with the listing agent. That said, if you don't hire me, AT LEAST hire yourself a buyers' agent."

Very rare .

Maybe onces a year I get both sides.

I would guess on average two times in each five year period.  The would be about 5.5% of the time.

The client rules in these instances.  Let them decide how it would be handled.  It happens a lot in our area.

It can be a legal nightmare in our state and I must concur with Nina Hollander 

Have not had both sides in years.

I don't know about the nation or industry wide, but I do about 6 a year. On some of those opportunites, I put the sellers and buyers at a table, and we work out the details together. In the end, they all agree, and most of the time, they become good friends.

Dual agency is not legal in all states. Dual agency is a very small part of our Team business. Dual agency can be fraught with peril for clients and agents. 

In my part of the world, it was attempted to rule out Multiple Representation (Dual Agency) and it failed.  There are too many smaller communities that don't have a huge number of Realtors.  The example given, you have a 20 year loyal repeat client who wants you to list their home.  Then, another 30 year loyal client wants to buy it and obviously wants to use you represent them on the purchase.  Which do you kick to the curb when they have no desire to use someone else?  When you know there is no one else suitably qualified to represent them in the area?   Do you refer them to someone out of area who hasn't a notion?    Real Estate is local and country wide rules have no place.  I am quite happy to have repeat clients on the same property and will continue to do so and I am thrilled that this was overruled.