Real Estate Terminology 101

One of the confusing things about real estate is that, once a deal closes, the Buyer’s Agent is called the “Selling Agent.”

Isn’t the Listing Agent, representing the Seller, the “Selling Agent?”

Well, no.

Think of it this way:  the Buyer’s agent is selling something ” actually, two things:

One. The Buyer on the specific house.

The average Buyer now looks at 12-15 homes before making their choice.

Which one they ultimately select is frequently influenced by their agent’s input and advice.

Two. The Buyer’s offer to the Seller and their Listing Agent.

Just like every home, every offer has strengths and weaknesses.

It’s the job of the Buyer’s ” er, Selling ” agent to play up the strengths, and defuse and/or minimize the weaknesses.

See also, “Quick! Who Does the Selling Agent Represent?.”

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

Leave a Reply