Are you interested in buying or selling resi- dential real estate in Maine? Before you begin working with a real estate licensee it is important for you to understand that Maine Law provides for different levels of brokerage service to buyers and sellers. You should decide whether you want to be represented in

a transaction (as a client) or not (as a customer). To assist you in deciding which option is in your best interest, please review the following information about real estate brokerage relationships:

Maine law requires all real estate brokerage companies and their affiliated licensees (“licensee”) to perform certain basic duties when dealing with a buyer or seller. You can expect a real estate licensee you deal with to pro- vide the following customer-level services:

To disclose all material defects pertaining to the physical condi- tion of the real estate that are known by the licensee;

To treat both the buyer and seller honestly and not knowingly give false information;

To account for all money and property received from or on behalf of the buyer or seller; and

To comply with all state and federal laws related to real estate brokerage activity.

Until you enter into a written brokerage agreement with the licensee for client-level representation you are considered a “customer” and the licen- see may not act as your agent. As a customer, you should not expect the licensee to promote your best interest, or to keep any information you give to the licensee confidential, including your bargaining posi- tion.

You May	If you want a licensee to represent you, you will
	need to enter into a written listing agreement or
Become	a written buyer representation agreement. The-
	se agreements create a client-agent relation-
A Client	ship between you and the licensee. As a client
	you can expect the licensee to provide the fol-

lowing services, in addition to the basic services required of all licensees listed above:

To perform the terms of the written agreement with skill and care; To promote your best interests;

•For seller clients this means the agent will put the seller’s interests first and negotiate the best price and terms for the seller;

•For buyer clients this means the agent will put the buy- er’s interests first and negotiate for the best prices and terms for the buyer; and

To maintain the confidentiality of specific client information, in- cluding bargaining information.

COMPANY POLICY ON CLIENT-LEVEL SERVICES —

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The real estate brokerage company’s policy on client-level services deter- mines which of the three types of agent-client relationships permitted in Maine may be offered to you. The agent-client relationships permitted in Maine are as follows:

The company and all of its affiliated licensees represent you as a client (called “single agency”);

The company appoints, with your written consent, one or more of the affiliated licensees to represent you as an agent(s) (called “appointed agency”); or

The company may offer limited agent level services as a disclosed dual agent.

WHAT IS A DISCLOSED DUAL AGENT?

In certain situations, a licensee may act as an agent for and represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. This is called dis- closed dual agency. The possibilities and consequences of dual agency representation must be explained to you by the licensee. Both the buyer and the seller must consent to this type of representation in writing.

Working with a dual agent is not the same as having your own exclu- sive agent as a single or appointed agent. For instance, when representing both a buyer and a seller, the dual agent must not disclose to one party any confidential information obtained from the other party. Also, a dual agent may not be the advocate for either party and cannot negotiate for nor ad- vise as to the price or terms of the transaction.

THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT

Remember!

Unless you enter into a written agreement for agency representation, a licensee is not allowed to represent you!

It is important for you to know that this form is not a contract. The licensee's completion of the statement below acknowledges that you have been given the information required by Maine law regarding brokerage relationships so that you may make an informed decision as to the relationship you wish to establish with the licensee/company.

To Be Completed By Licensee

This form was presented on (date)

To

Name of Buyer(s) or Seller(s)

by

Licensee's Name

on behalf of

Company/Agency

MREC Form#3 09/2011