Idaho House passes real estate representation bill 

A bill that would require real estate agents to present all offers to their clients unanimously passed the Idaho House of Representatives. If the bill becomes law, it would prevent real estate agents from listing a house on the Multiple Listing Service for a client while allowing the client to represent themselves during the remainder of the transaction. Some real estate firms, such as Boise-based Fizbomap.com, offer those services. 

Rep. Jim Patrick, Twin Falls, said the bill protects homeowners who want to sell their home by ensuring they have adequate representation from real estate agents. It also protects brokers, who could become liable if they are working with a buyer and asked for advice from the seller. The agent might tell them his buyer’s offer is a good one, not knowing a better one was out there.  

The bill would not affect homeowners’ ability to sell their homes using newspaper advertisements or other methods, Patrick said. Fizbomap co-owner Heinrich Wiebe has said his customers feel comfortable representing themselves. Only one has ever asked him for assistance in understanding an offer, even though Fizbomap’s parent company, Genius Realty, offers that service. Wiebe said the bill would only reduce customer choice. 

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