StreamLine Agents Inc.

When you’re working with a seller who has family involved—especially in situations with elderly clients—it’s critical to establish clear communication boundaries from the very beginning.

Who is authorized to discuss the listing?
Who can receive updates about pricing, offers, and negotiations?

These are not assumptions you should ever make.

Your duty of confidentiality extends to your client—not automatically to their family members. Even well-meaning involvement can create confusion, miscommunication, or conflict if expectations aren’t clearly defined.

Best practice: address this directly in your listing agreement. Have your seller identify in writing exactly who you are permitted to communicate with and what can be shared.

This protects everyone.

It eliminates “he said, she said.”
It prevents misunderstandings during high-stress moments.
It keeps you aligned with your fiduciary responsibilities.

And most importantly—it creates clarity when it matters most.

If it’s not written, it doesn’t exist.
Clear agreements lead to smoother transactions.