An exclusive buyer agent (EBA) is an agent or broker who represents only buyers of real estate. EBA firms do not have seller listings and they never represent the seller in a real estate transaction. There is a conflict of interest when a real estate firm represents the buyer and seller in the same transaction.
In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, there was a rise in the number of exclusive buyer agencies. Now there are EBA’s in almost all of the 50 States.
In the United States real estate firms can represent both buyer and seller in the same transaction. When that takes place, the firms derive profit from both the seller and buyer sides of the transaction. EBAs do not believe it’s possible to simultaneously represent clients with opposing interests. Also, some states consider this practice to be illegal while others allow it.

