{"id":43049,"date":"2026-01-28T04:19:31","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T12:19:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=43049"},"modified":"2026-01-28T19:02:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T03:02:20","slug":"buyer-subagents-real-estate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-subagents-real-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Subagents in Real Estate? A Buyer’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

You found a promising home for sale online. You contact the broker and receive a reply from an agent who provides a showing appointment date and time. But when you arrive, there\u2019s someone else showing you the house. This person may be a subagent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But what are subagents in real estate? Are they working for you or the seller, and how might a subagent impact your purchase?<\/span><\/p>\n

In this post, we explain the role of a subagent in real estate, and how there is more than one definition within the industry. Who they work for can make a big difference in your home-buying journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n \"homelight\n <\/div>\n \n

A Top Agent Can Find the Right Deal For You<\/h3>\n

HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing, trusted agent who has the experience to find you the right house at the right price. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.<\/p>\n \n

\n Get Started<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n

What is a traditional subagent in real estate?<\/h2>\n

If we look through the lens of past housing market models, a subagent is someone who works with a <\/span>listing agent<\/span><\/a> to help sell a property but does not have a direct contractual relationship with the seller. A subagent can show you the house, but they typically don\u2019t work for you as the buyer; they owe <\/span>fiduciary duties<\/span><\/a> to the listing broker and the seller.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This allegiance is important to be aware of if you\u2019re working with a traditional subagent. Historically, all agents involved in a real estate transaction <\/span>represented the interests of the seller<\/span><\/a>, including the subagents.<\/span><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s real estate playing field, it\u2019s unlikely you will work with a subagent in this sense. If you\u2019re looking to buy a home, you\u2019ll most likely <\/span>hire a buyer\u2019s agent<\/span><\/a> who works directly for you, not the seller. The primary duty of a buyer\u2019s agent is to find a home that fits your parameters and guide you through all the steps to closing the deal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, the specific duties and loyalties of subagents can vary based on local real estate practices and state laws. Subagency relationships have been made illegal in some states. Later in this post, we\u2019ll look at a more modern definition of a subagent.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

What does a traditional subagent do?<\/h2>\n

The primary role of a traditional subagent is to assist in finding a buyer for the property. They earn a portion of the commission, but they are not the listing agent. Here are some key responsibilities:<\/span><\/p>\n