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My agent handed me an agency disclosure form at our first meeting. What am I signing?

Answered by Chris Deutsch, Founder & Editor
Licensed Minnesota Realtor #20382264 ·

The short answer

Less than it looks like. Minnesota law requires agents to hand you that form at the first substantive contact in a residential transaction (Minn. Stat. § 82.67). It's an explanation, not a contract — signing acknowledges you received it, nothing more. You're not hiring anyone by signing it.

On stage The 60-second answer

Captions on · Transcript below

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The longer answer

What it actually does is answer one question before you say anything sensitive: who does this person work for? The form lays out the possible relationships — seller's broker, buyer's broker, dual agency, facilitator — so you know whether the friendly person at the showing represents you or the other side.

That knowledge has a practical use. Until someone formally represents you, assume what you share can reach the seller. (I'm not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice.) If you want the form translated into plain English before you sign anything else, send me a text.

The next department over

What people in this spot usually ask next.

From the editor's desk

“As Founder and Editor, I review, correct, and stand behind every answer.”
— Chris Deutsch

Is your situation more specific than the market? That's the one worth talking through.