What action is required before providing specific real estate assistance?

Before providing specific real estate assistance, it is essential to disclose brokerage relationships. This is a foundational requirement in real estate practice that ensures transparency and establishes trust between the agent and the client. By disclosing the brokerage relationship, the agent informs the client about who they are representing, what obligations they have, and how those obligations affect the client's interests.

This disclosure allows clients to understand whether they are working with a buyer's agent, a seller's agent, or a dual agent representing both parties. Clarity in this area helps prevent potential conflicts of interest and ensures that clients are aware of their rights under the brokerage agreement.

Building rapport, agreeing on commission, or taking a deposit, while important parts of the client-agent relationship and transaction process, do not take precedence over the need for brokerage relationship disclosure. Establishing a strong relationship, discussing commission structures, or handling deposits generally comes after the foundational understanding of how the brokerage works in relation to the client’s needs. Therefore, disclosure of the brokerage relationship is a crucial step that must be completed before diving into specific assistance in a real estate transaction.