Agency Disclosure

Who a real estate agent works for in New York, and when an agency relationship with our team begins.

Effective September 30, 2026

New York’s agency disclosure requirement

New York Real Property Law § 443 requires real estate licensees to present the New York State Disclosure Form for Buyer and Seller at your first substantive contact — the first meaningful conversation about a property or about working together — and to ask for your signed acknowledgment. Review the disclosure form. We provide it and explain it before we represent you.

The relationships, in plain language

  • Seller’s agent — represents the seller. The agent owes the seller loyalty, confidentiality, and full disclosure of material information.
  • Buyer’s agent — represents the buyer. The agent owes the buyer the same duties.
  • Dual agent — represents both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction. New York allows dual agency only with the informed consent of both parties, and the agent must deal fairly with each.
  • Designated sales agent — in a dual agency transaction, the broker assigns one agent to represent the buyer and a different agent to represent the seller, so each client has an advocate while the broker supervises both.

When an agency relationship begins

Contacting us through this website, by phone, text, or email does not, by itself, create a fiduciary agency relationship. That relationship begins when you and we sign a written agreement, or when the law requires it. Until then, we can answer questions and share information, but we do not represent you.

Buyer representation agreements

Since changes in brokerage practice took effect in 2024, buyers are commonly asked to sign a written buyer representation agreement before touring homes or making an offer. The agreement sets out how long it lasts, the services you receive, and how compensation works. It is a contract, so read it before you sign and ask us anything. If you have already signed one with another broker, tell us so we handle it correctly.

Questions

See also our Standard Operating Procedures and Disclosures. Questions about who represents whom: (516) 859-1484 or james.finelli@compass.com.