For Real Estate Buyer's Only

What Real Estate Buyers Should Know

The Required Buyer-Broker Agreement Explained


Before a buyer can begin touring properties, they are required to sign a formal buyer-broker agreement with their real estate agent. This written agreement is crafted to safeguard the buyer's interests while fostering a foundation of trust and commitment between the buyer and their agent.


What the buyer-broker agreement includes: The agreement outlines the services the agent will provide, how they will be compensated, and the terms negotiated between the buyer and agent.

  • Benefits: The agreement provides clarity and transparency about the relationship between the buyer and agent.
  • Negotiability: Buyers should not sign an agreement they don't understand or agree with.
  • When it applies: The agreement applies to both in-person and virtual tours.
  • Duration: Agreements must have a start date and end date and be signed prior to viewing any properties.
  • Location: Agreements must specify a city, town, county and or state where services are to be rendered. This also includes one property, particular properties, and named communities.
  • Amending Agreements: Once agreements are executed and utilized for property viewings, they are locked and cannot be modified or altered in any manner. To accommodate any adjustments, a new agreement must be drafted and signed to accurately reflect the desired changes.

    • The use of buyer-broker agreements aims to strengthen protections for real estate buyers from the very start of their relationship with an agent. Effective August 17, 2024, this mandate enhances transparency by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of both parties, ensuring buyers understand what to expect from their agent. It also promotes greater accountability, as agents are now required to uphold the services they commit to delivering, building trust and reliability. Additionally, the agreement allows buyers to negotiate compensation directly, aligning costs with the specific services provided. This requirement ensures that buyers not only have clarity on their agent’s professional responsibilities but also a fair opportunity to agree on terms that best suit their needs.


    The National Association of Realtor's offers an extensive explanation of the mandated use of buyer-broker agreement, protecting buyers, which can be viewed by clicking on this link, Written Buyer Agreements 101


    Here’s a straightforward list of what buyers can expect when signing a buyer-broker agreement:


  • Increased Transparency: The mandate promotes clearer understanding of the roles and responsibilities between buyers and their agents.
  • Improved Accountability: Agents are held accountable for the services promised to buyers, fostering trust and reliability.
  • Opportunity for Compensation Negotiation: Buyers can openly negotiate the agent's compensation, aligning costs with the services provided.
  • Clarification of Professional Services: The agreement ensures buyers understand the specific professional services their agent will deliver.

    • Real Estate Buyers are encouraged to use this platform. ConfirmBuyer.com allows buyers to verify that their agreements are securely stored and offers convenient access to important data related to their agreements.


    ATTENTION: The ConfirmBuyer.com platform is a fully independent system dedicated to ensuring compliance, integrity, and security for buyer-broker agreements.

    Operating autonomously as a third-party repository, ConfirmBuyer.com is free from outside influence and adheres to strict safeguards that prevent any co-mingling, sale, or unauthorized use of data. Serving as an immutable third-party monitor, it upholds accuracy, accountability, transparency, and compliance by acting as a neutral auditor and manager of these agreements. As a completely impartial entity, it provides an objective layer of oversight, free from external influence or vested interests, making it a trusted guardian of buyer-broker agreements within the real estate industry.

    Below is an option to "Search for Agreement(s)." By selecting this, you’ll be directed to a searchable page where you can enter your name and credentials to check if your agreement is properly and securely stored in the repository. Reminder: You must be registered and logged in to use this search function.

    Search For Agreement(s)