Kevin Lisota

In Washington State, Redfin does engage in dual agency and double-ending on a regular basis, contrary to Kelman's comments. While they may not allow the same agent to represent both the buyer and seller, their broker is clearly acting as a dual agent under WA license law when two agents from their office work on the same transaction.

Spot on commentary Teresa. You should come to Seattle, where our MLS is not related to the NAR, and it is much easier to opt out of the hefty dues. @Joellen - I think it is fantasy to believe that the NAR is representing the best interests of home owners. Ask any home owner if they are glad that the NAR is looking out for them, and I think you'll get blank stares. Make no mistake, the NAR is supposed to represent the best interests of its membership, which is Realtors, not home owners. On some topics, those two are aligned, but on others, clearly they are not. The housing bubble is prime evidence that that NAR was more interested in keeping artificially inflated transaction volumes going than in protecting homeowners from the ensuing bubble. While placing the blame for the bubble is a difficult task, the boundless optimism of the NAR clearly played a role. Hardly feels like an organization looking after home owners in hindsight.

This sounds like high-pressure sales to increase the pace of your own commissions, not look after the best interests of your clients. Licensing laws, at least in my state, put the needs of the clients before the agent at all times. How can you "establish urgency" with a straight face? Urgency is determined by the real estate consumer, not their agent looking for a quick buck.