When does an agency relationship with a buyer officially begin in Maine?

An agency relationship with a buyer in Maine officially begins when the buyer signs an agreement with the real estate brokerage agency. This signing of the agreement formalizes the relationship and ensures that both parties understand their rights and obligations. It establishes a legal framework within which the broker acts on behalf of the buyer, including fiduciary duties such as loyalty, disclosure, and proper handling of funds.

While the buyer may express a desire for representation, and receiving the Real Estate Brokerage Relationships Form or statements from the licensee may indicate the potential for an agency relationship, it is the signed agreement that creates the formal legal connection necessary for the agency to exist. Without this signed documentation, the relationship remains informal, lacking the protections and commitments provided in a binding contract.