Proceed with caution and get some outside advice. Dual representation
is legal and considered ethical in the industry, but it shouldn't be.
The main thing the agent wants is to make the sale because they don't
get paid otherwise. The agent will lean on whichever party seems most
pliable in order to get a contract signed, and the final price may or
may not be fair market value. Get a list of comps (recent sales of
comparable houses in the neighborhood) which the agent has or can get.
Hire a private inspector, and the contract should state that the seller
must correct all problems for the sale to close. Pest inpsectors,
city/county inspectors and appraisers have different or limited goals,
and are not a substitute for a private inspector. Scout the
neighborhood, and talk to people who live there about problems. In
particular, traffic, noise , crime, and schools should be investigated.
Agents are very good at showing houses at times when traffic in front
of them is minmal (visit the area at rush hour). For some cities, crime
maps are available which show burglaries, car thefts and violent crimes.

Mike

wrote:
Hi,

I have a friend who is shopping for a house in Calif. and has found one
that she and her husband like a lot. They'd like to make a bid and try
to purchase it. Yet they've also learned that their real estate agent
also represents the person selling the house. What should they do in
this situation?

Many thanks for any advice,

Sally