What distinguishes dual agency from dual representation in real estate?

Dual agency is a unique scenario in real estate where a single agent represents both parties in a transaction, essentially acting for both the buyer and seller. This creates an interesting dynamic because the agent must navigate potential conflicts of interest, ensuring that both parties are treated fairly while also adhering to legal and ethical standards.

On the other hand, dual representation typically involves multiple agents (such as two agents from the same brokerage) representing the buyer and the seller separately. While both these concepts involve representing both parties in a transaction, the key distinguishing feature of dual agency is that it is under the control of one agent, whereas dual representation typically means that two separate agents are involved.

The context of limited service comes into play as well, as dual agency requires the agent to limit the services provided to each party to avoid conflicts and maintain neutrality in negotiations. Given this distinction, understanding the nuances between dual agency and dual representation is essential for practicing real estate professionals, which highlights the importance of option C's focus on the limited service aspect where one agent (in dual agency) has to balance the interests of both parties.