Agency relationships are the foundation of most real estate transactions. The relationship between a licensee and his or her client is considered a fiduciary relationship, meaning that the client places trust in the licensee to fulfill certain duties towards the client. A broker or licensee can act as a seller's agent, a buyer's agent, a subagent or an intermediary, and each of these four types of agency relationships has its own set of guidelines, as well its own ethical issues. Licensees who understand both the basics of agency law as well as the specific laws of agency in the state of Texas will be able to serve their clients and customers to the best of their abilities and avoid litigation.
