In my last blog, I asked “Why you should care?” about conflicts of interest.   The subject of conflicts of interest is a difficult one.  It is difficult because it is not our style to speak negatively about our competitors.  We would rather earn the right to your business on our merits, not on the negatives of our competitors.

It is also difficult because the concept of “dual agency” (representing both sides in a transaction) is allowed by the Kansas and Missouri Real Estate Commissions, if it is disclosed.  So real estate conflicts of interest are acceptable in many persons’ eyes.

The reality is that conflicts of interest do matter because they cost you money.

Wally & Co. is structured to avoid conflicts of interest in several key ways.

First, no one in our firm lists property for sale or lease.  Our activities on behalf of clients are consistently focused on driving down occupancy costs of all types and negotiating the most favorable business terms.  Therefore, we aren’t ever in the situation that many agents get into where they are interchangeably advocating for higher prices when they are representing a landlord, and advocating for lower prices when they are representing a tenant.  To be in that position can erode the credibility, and more importantly, the negotiating strength, of an agent to the point of being ineffective.

Next, because we never represent a landlord, we are never concerned with the temptation, felt by many “dual agents”, that all landlords may be a prospective property-listing client in the future.  Such concerns may serve to soften that agent’s negotiating aggression on the part of a tenant rep client like you.

Wally & Co. exclusively represent tenants.  Please call us to discuss your next project and learn why Wally & Co. wants to be your partner, not just a vendor.