No. We work alongside the agent as advisors on the same team, and neither of us works for the other. Both sides are pointed at the same outcome: getting the buyer or seller to a successful closing. A good agent will describe their own role the same way, as the client's advisor rather than their employee, and both sides have to collaborate and communicate because neither can do the job well alone. Every agent has horror stories about difficult lenders, and every lender has horror stories about difficult agents. That tells you the relationship only works when both people are competent and pulling in the same direction. Sometimes one of us does extra work to cover a gap when the other party, an agent or even the client, does not fully understand the process. A strong team absorbs that and keeps the deal moving. You benefit directly when your agent and your lender actually talk to each other, so it is a fair thing to check on when you are choosing both.