Q – What is the difference between a Listing Agent and a Buyer’s Agent? Are there other types of Agency? What type of agent do I need?

A – Short Answer, a listing agent has fiduciary responsibilities to the current homeowner and a Buyer’s Agent has fiduciary Responsibility to the potential homebuyer. All licensed real estate agents in NYS are required to disclose to any potential buyers or sellers their agency. The purpose of this is to ensure that any party to a purchase/sale understands who they are talking to and who said person is responsible to.

Check out this NY Times article for a clear and concise description.

Also, take a look at the  Disclosure Form for Buyers and Sellers.

This is the form any Agent will provide you before discussing detailed real estate matters.