[hobbyjogger]

> In many US states, the frequent problem is that the agent who is showing you homes (and who you tend to think of as "your agent") is not actually your agent (with fiduciary duty to you), but a subagent of the seller (with fiduciary duty to them).

Subagency was common up until the 90s but is exceedingly rare in today's market (and outright illegal in many states). In 2019, it is not at all a "frequent" problem.

[nkurz]

You are right, and I probably overstated the frequency of that particular form of agency to point out a worst-case-scenario. I likely should have stuck with the main message that for a variety of reasons, an agent who is showing you a house does not necessarily have your best interests at heart. Do you happen to know how common it is for current buyers to be represented by an agent who does owe them sole fiduciary responsibility?