To read as a blog
To watch as a video (coming soon)
In commercial real estate, dual agency often sparks debate. Yet when executed ethically and transparently, it can be the fastest path through complex, multi-party deals. In this podcast, The Ivy Group shares the inside story of a high-stakes property transaction in Hayward, California—a masterclass in consensus building, expectation management, and teamwork.
The transaction involved a multi-tenant retail and office property, plus an adjacent vacant parcel with decades-old contamination. On one side were five property owners, each with different exit strategies and financial priorities. On the other side, a husband-and-wife daycare operator ready to purchase but facing strict lender requirements and environmental safety concerns. To make things even more challenging, the buyer requested dual agent representation from The Ivy Group, requiring absolute fairness, transparency, and balanced communication.
Led by Tim Vi Tran, SIOR, CCIM, alongside teammates Sandip Jariwala and Diego Cervantes, The Ivy Group took on the role of dual agent while navigating more than 20 stakeholders: lenders, tenants, contractors, environmental consultants, inspectors, city officials, and property managers. From the start, the deal hinged on the team’s ability to manage high expectations, maintain trust, and build consensus among parties with competing interests.
Environmental testing slowed escrow by more than two months and introduced $25,000 in unexpected costs, ultimately split between buyer and sellers after careful negotiation. During this time, The Ivy Group’s internal teamwork was just as vital as their external communications. Weekly strategy meetings ensured aligned messaging before addressing clients, preventing confusion and keeping momentum alive.
The project’s complexity highlighted the importance of customizing communication for every stakeholder—whether updating city officials on environmental compliance, negotiating cost allocations with sellers, or ensuring tenants understood transition plans. The Ivy Group’s transparent approach kept all parties engaged and confident, even when delays threatened to derail the deal.
In the end, the transaction closed at a market price acceptable to all sellers, and the daycare buyer received city approval to move in. What could have been a fractured, stalled sale became a benchmark of how dual agency, handled with integrity, can solve problems rather than create them.
This case underscores The Ivy Group’s brokerage philosophy: dual agency is not about cutting corners, but about creating clarity, fairness, and efficiency in multi-party real estate transactions. By leveraging teamwork, negotiation skills, and their SIOR and CCIM expertise, The Ivy Group turned a highly complex transaction into a win-win outcome.
Listeners will walk away with practical insights into how to:
Navigate the risks and benefits of dual agency.
Build consensus among multiple sellers with conflicting priorities.
Manage expectations and communication across diverse stakeholders.
Use teamwork and role clarity to handle unforeseen challenges.
For executives, investors, and business owners considering commercial property transactions, this story is proof that the right brokerage team makes all the difference. The Ivy Group’s experience demonstrates that even in the most demanding circumstances, dual agency can be done right—and deliver results for everyone at the table.
If you’re looking to buy, sell, or lease a property or commercial space in Fremont, Silicon Valley, or the Bay Area, or simply want to have an investment consultation, the Ivy Group is ready to help you turn vision into reality. The Ivy Group is ready to help you reach your goals with more than 100 years of combined experience and expertise in real estate, investment, technology and engineering. Contact us with your next real estate needs: https://theivygroup.com/contact-us/
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Copyright ©️ 2025 by Tim Vi Tran. All rights reserved.
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