A recent Consumer Reports real estate survey conducted in the United States offers insight for consumers in Canada. One finding is that American consumers scored little difference between franchisees and independent agents in overall performance.

According to the Consumer Reports web site, their Reader Score overall satifaction was:

Company	Reader Score
	out of 100
Century 21 Real Estate	81
Coldwell Banker	81
Prudential	81
Independent agents	81
other companies	80
Keller Williams Realty	79
RE/MAX	79

However the report did not address the practice of single agency versus dual agency. Neither did it mention transactional brokerage (no agency). Consumers have the right to demand undivided loyalty from their real estate agency or agent. Consumers may say NO to dual agency.

Whether buying or selling, when consumers interview an agent or one of their salespeople, ask about the agency's policy on dual agency.

Larry Estabrooks, Independent Agent