18.86.060 - Dual agent -- Duties.

Dual agent — Duties.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a licensee may act as a dual agent only with the written consent of both parties to the transaction after the dual agent has complied with RCW 18.86.030(1)(f), which consent must include a statement of the terms of compensation.

     (2) Unless additional duties are agreed to in writing signed by a dual agent, the duties of a dual agent are limited to those set forth in RCW 18.86.030 and the following, which may not be waived except as expressly set forth in (e) and (f) of this subsection:

     (a) To take no action that is adverse or detrimental to either party's interest in a transaction;

     (b) To timely disclose to both parties any conflicts of interest;

     (c) To advise both parties to seek expert advice on matters relating to the transaction that are beyond the dual agent's expertise;

     (d) Not to disclose any confidential information from or about either party, except under subpoena or court order, even after termination of the agency relationship;

     (e) Unless otherwise agreed to in writing after the dual agent has complied with RCW 18.86.030(1)(f), to make a good faith and continuous effort to find a buyer for the property; except that a dual agent is not obligated to seek additional offers to purchase the property while the property is subject to an existing contract for sale; and

     (f) Unless otherwise agreed to in writing after the dual agent has complied with RCW 18.86.030(1)(f), to make a good faith and continuous effort to find a property for the buyer; except that a dual agent is not obligated to: (i) Seek additional properties to purchase while the buyer is a party to an existing contract to purchase; or (ii) show properties as to which there is no written agreement to pay compensation to the dual agent.

     (3)(a) The showing of properties not owned by the seller to prospective buyers or the listing of competing properties for sale by a dual agent does not in and of itself constitute action that is adverse or detrimental to the seller or create a conflict of interest.

     (b) The representation of more than one seller by different licensees affiliated with the same broker in competing transactions involving the same buyer does not in and of itself constitute action that is adverse or detrimental to the sellers or create a conflict of interest.

     (4)(a) The showing of property in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers or the presentation of additional offers to purchase property while the property is subject to a transaction by a dual agent does not in and of itself constitute action that is adverse or detrimental to the buyer or create a conflict of interest.

     (b) The representation of more than one buyer by different licensees affiliated with the same broker in competing transactions involving the same property does not in and of itself constitute action that is adverse or detrimental to the buyers or create a conflict of interest.

[1997 c 217 § 4; 1996 c 179 § 6.]

Notes: Real estate agency pamphlet -- 1997 c 217 §§ 1-6: See note following RCW 18.86.120.

Effective date -- 1997 c 217 §§ 1-6 and 8: See note following RCW 18.86.020.