What relationship exists when both the buyer and seller are represented by the same broker in a real estate transaction?

In a real estate transaction, when both the buyer and seller are represented by the same broker, it is referred to as dual agency. This relationship occurs when a single brokerage firm represents both parties in the transaction, which can lead to potential conflicts of interest since the broker must navigate the differing interests of both clients. Under dual agency, the broker must maintain neutrality and cannot fully advocate for the interests of one party over the other. This requires full disclosure and often the consent of both parties to ensure that they understand the implications of this arrangement.

The other options relate to different legal or real estate concepts. An easement in gross pertains to a right that one party has to use someone else's property for a specific purpose, which doesn't involve the dual representation of buyers and sellers. Dower and curtesy are legal terms that relate to the rights of a spouse to a deceased partner's estate, distinct from real estate transactions involving brokers. An easement by condemnation refers to an easement taken by the government through the exercise of eminent domain, again unrelated to the representation of buyers and sellers by a broker.