Dual Representation
Occassionally a real estate company will be the agent of both the buyer and the seller. The buyer and seller must consent to this arrangement in their listing and buyer representation agreements.  Under this "dual representation" arrangement, the company must do what is best for both the buyer and the seller.

Since the company's loyalty is divided between the buyer and the seller who have conflicting interests, it is absolutely essential that a dual agency representation relationship be established in a written representation agreement.  This agreement specifically describes the rights and duties of everyone involved and any limitations to those rights and duties.