A double-ended real estate transaction is when the Seller's Agent and the Buyer's Agent are both under the same brokerage. There are two different approaches for logging these double-ender transactions in SkySlope:

1. Create one property file that both Agents share
2. Create two property files, one for each Agent

This article goes over how to create files for each approach and the notable differences between the two. Keep reading to see which approach is best for your office's workflow.

Note: If you are an Agent and you're unsure which approach to follow, check with your Office Admin or Broker before creating your file! 

Creating One Shared File

Using this approach, both the Listing Agent and the Buying Agent share one property file in SkySlope. This file contains a Listing Checklist and a Transaction Checklist to ensure all of the necessary documents are submitted for each side of the deal. Both Agents have access to the entire property file, including all of the documents and client communications stored on the Log.

How to Create One Shared File:

When creating one shared property file in SkySlope, you will follow these steps to ensure only one file is created, and both Agents have access to the file.

1. CREATE A LISTING FILE - TO DO: When the Listing Agreement is signed.

1. The Listing Agent logs into their account.
2. Click on Create Listing.
3. Enter all required data, and submit required documents to the Checklist.
4. For a video that goes over how to create a Listing, click here.

2. CONVERT THE LISTING TO A SALE - TO DO: When the Listing goes under contract with an accepted offer.

1. The Listing Agent logs into their account.
2. Open the Listing file and navigate to the Checklist tab.
3. Click on Accepted Contract to convert the Listing into a Sale Transaction.
4. For a video that goes over how to convert a Listing, click here.

3. SHARE FILE WITH THE BUYING AGENT- TO DO: After clicking on Accepted Contract

1. After the Listing Agent clicks on Accepted Contract, they will be taken to the Transaction tab and prompted to enter information for the Sale, such as purchase price and closing date. On the same page, the Listing Agent will have the opportunity to add the Buying Agent as the "co-agent" on the file. 
2. Listing Agent will locate the Co-Agent field > Click on Add > Type the Buying Agent's name > Click on Save Co-Agent.
3. For a visual guide on how to add a co-agent to a file, click here. 

4. SELECT THE FILE TYPE - TO DO: After the co-agent has been added

1. The file type must be selected on the Transaction tab (the same page where the co-agent is added). The options are: 
   - Purchase
   - Listing
   - Both Purchase & Listing
   - Lease Tenant
   - Lease Landlord
   - Both Lease Tenant & Landlord
   - Referral
   - BPO
   - Other
2. Select an option that includes the word BOTH (Both Purchase & Listing or Both Lease Tennant & Landlord); this will ensure that the total Office Gross Commission will include both the Listing Commission and the Sales Commission, rather than just one or the other.
3. For more information on how to enter data on the Commission tab, click here.

5. SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION - TO DO: After the Transaction data has been entered

1. After the file has been shared, the Listing Agent and the Buying Agent will have complete access to the SkySlope transaction file and its contents. Each agent will share responsibility for submitting signed documents to the Checklist and recording any necessary communication logs, etc.
2. For more information about submitting documents to the checklist, click here.

Shared File Access:

The purpose of the SkySlope co-agent feature is to allow all agents on the file (the primary agent, and any co-agents) to have complete access. In our example above, the Listing Agent (primary agent) and Buying Agent (co-agent) will both have complete access to the SkySlope file. 

All Agents who are the primary or co-agent on any SkySlope file can:

• Search for and open the file.
• Update any data in the file (such as the property address, price, contacts, commission information, etc.).
• Upload and remove documents on the Checklist and the Documents tab.
• Send emails and documents into the file.
• Access the Log of the file, which records any action taken and all emails sent to and from the file. The Log often contains the client communication log (texts, emails, etc.).

Shared File Review Requirements:

From a file review perspective, when there is one file that both agents share, there is only one file that needs to be reviewed for compliance. Typically, this makes the audit process more simple and speedy. 

Shared File Pros & Cons:

While every office and every brokerage's workflow differs, there are some general "pros" and "cons" to each approach, depending on what your office needs. 

Creating Two Separate Files

The other approach for entering dual-ended files is to create two separate property files in SkySlope, one for each agent. The file for the Listing Agent will have a Listing Checklist and a Sales Checklist. The file for the Buying Agent will also have a separate Sales Checklist. Each Agent will only have access to their own property file, documents, and communication stored on the Log.

Separate File Creation:

The process for creating two separate seller-represented and buyer-represented Transaction files in SkySlope is simple. Essentially, each Agent logs into their own account, creates their own file, and submits their own documents.

Create Listing File (Seller-represented):

1. CREATE A LISTING FILE - TO DO: When the Listing Agreement is signed

1. The Listing Agent logs into their account
2. Click on Create Listing
3. Enter all required data, and submit required documents to the Checklist
4. For a video that goes over how to create a Listing, click here.

2. CONVERT THE LISTING TO A SALE - TO DO: When the Listing goes under contract with an accepted offer

1. The Listing Agent logs into their account
2. Open the Listing file, and navigate to the Checklist tab
3. Click on Accepted Contract to convert the Listing to a Sale Transaction
4. For a video that goes over how to convert a Listing, click here.

3. SELECT THE FILE TYPE - TO DO: After after the Listing has been converted into a Transaction

1. On the first page after clicking Accepted Contract, the file type needs to be selected. The options are:
   - Purchase
   - Listing
   - Both Purchase & Listing
   - Lease Tenant
   - Lease Landlord
   - Both Lease Tenant & Landlord
   - Referral
   - BPO
   - Other
2. Select Listing/Lease Landlord; this will ensure that the Office Gross Commission will only calculate the Listing Commission.

4. SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION - TO DO: After the Transaction data has been entered

The Listing Agent is now responsible for submitting required documents and communication logs into their SkySlope file. 

Create a Transaction File (Buyer-represented)

1. CREATE A TRANSACTION FILE - TO DO: When the Purchase Contract is signed

1. The Buying Agent logs into their account
2. Click on Create Transaction
3. Enter all required data
4. For a video that goes over how to create a Transaction, click here. 

2. SELECT THE FILE TYPE - TO DO: After clicking on Create Transaction

1. On the first page after clicking Create Transaction, the file type needs to be selected. The options are: 
   - Purchase
   - Listing
   - Both Purchase & Listing
   - Lease Tenant
   - Lease Landlord
   - Both Lease Tenant & Landlord
   - Referral
   - BPO
   - Other
2. Select Purchase/Lease Tenant; this will ensure that the Office Gross Commission will only calculate the Sale Commission.

3. SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION - TO DO: After the Transaction data has been entered

The Buying Agent is now responsible for submitting required documents and communication logs into their SkySlope file. 

Separate File Access:

Using this approach to enter dual-ended transactions into SkySlope allows your Agents more privacy to create and manage their own files. Creating two separate transaction files in SkySlope, each Agent can only access their own file. Each Agent can perform the same tasks, but only from within their own file:

• Search for and open the file.
• Update data in the file (such as the address, property address, contacts, commission information, etc.).
• Upload and remove documents on the Checklist and the Documents tab.
• Send emails and documents into the file.
• Access the Log of the file, which records any action taken and all emails sent to and from the file. The Log often contains the client communication log (texts, emails, etc.).

Separate File Review Requirements:

From a file review perspective, using this approach requires extra steps. Since there are two files, each with their own applicable Checklist, there are now three Checklists that need to be reviewed: the Selling Agent's Listing Checklist, the Selling Agent's Transaction Checklist, and the Buying Agent's Transaction Checklist. 

Separate File Pros & Cons:

While every office and every brokerage's workflow differs, there are some general "pros" and "cons" to each approach, depending on what your office needs. 

Each of these approaches to creating dual-ended transactions is possible within SkySlope. You can create and follow whichever process is best for you and your office.

If you have any questions about entering double-ended files in SkySlope that aren't answered in this article, please reach out to our Support Team! We are here 24/7 and always happy to help!