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Fiduciary Duty

Fiduciary Interest of a Client

By Michael Sullivan | Posted June 27, 2018

Speaking as a commercial real estate professional, I have found that too many real estate investors do not understand the rights they have (and responsibility their agent is obligated to) to have their fiduciary interests protected in a transaction. As a licensed real estate agent (NC #273250), the responsibility of communicating this when working with a real estate agent is squarely placed on my shoulders, and frankly, I love it!

I have found on too many occasions, that the easiest way for me to establish a formal client representation relationship with a disgruntled real estate investor was to ask them if their previous agent had ever explained what it means to work with a real estate agent? I’ll hear, “Why hasn’t anyone explained that to me before?” or “If I had known that, I would’ve asked a lot more of my previous representative!”

Relationship building is critical with any buy/sell representation scenario as it will build and sustain trust. That said, it doesn’t relieve representatives of accountability, specifically fiduciary responsibility, to their client. Falling short on this area is a major risk to a lasting relationship with future opportunity not to mention closing the initial transaction.

There are a few simple factors to keep in mind when serving as a Fiduciary:

  • Be honest - what wants to be heard is not always what needs to be said.
  • Be loyal - avoid conflicts of interest, and as well as any “how do I get mine?” mentality. Work with good faith.
  • Be dutiful/act with care - don’t cut corners, ask questions, avoid assumptions.
  • Be knowledgeable and diligent - there is never enough growth in this area with ever changing/shifting markets. What worked before may require further thought and different action the next time.

The term fiduciary is a Latin word that means “trust” or “faith.”

I am grateful to the many professionals I have worked with on transactions. They far outnumber those that my clients and I have walked away from due to questionable practices. I’m grateful to my clients for allowing my team and I to partner with them, asking great questions and always maintaining open lines of communication so that we can stay ahead and close on great opportunities.