In a scenario where a buyer refuses to sign a buyer representation agreement, what is the nature of the relationship with the agent showing the property?

When a buyer refuses to sign a buyer representation agreement, the relationship between the buyer and the agent is characterized as sub-agency. In this scenario, the agent does not have a formal agreement with the buyer, which means that they cannot represent the buyer's interests directly. Rather, the agent typically represents the seller's interests while facilitating the transaction for the buyer without any contractual relationship.

Sub-agency occurs when an agent assists another agent (usually the listing agent) in showing and selling the property but remains tied to the seller’s agency relationship. The agent showing the property effectively acts in a supportive role to the seller's agent rather than advocating for the buyer’s best interests, since the buyer has not authorized the agent to represent them.

This situation differs from seller agency and dual agency, as those involve either a direct representation of the seller (seller agency) or simultaneous representation of both the buyer and seller (dual agency) under clear agreements. Buyer agency would imply that there is a signed agreement indicating the agent represents the buyer, which is not the case when the buyer refuses to sign the representation agreement. Therefore, characterizing the agent's role as sub-agency is accurate in this context.