Elvir BegicREALTOR® · Epique Realty
Buying · Your agent · Real Estate On Demand

Working with a buyer's agent: the agreement explained

Buyers now sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. Here's what that agreement says, and what your agent should be doing for you.

Elvir Begic, REALTOR®
Epique Realty · Cedar Valley, Iowa
The short version

What the agreement covers

What a buyer's agent does for you

Helps you set a realistic budget, finds and screens homes, gives you an honest take on condition and value, pulls comparable sales before you make an offer, writes and negotiates the purchase agreement, and manages inspections, appraisal and every deadline through closing.

How the fee is handled

Your agent's fee can be paid by you, by the seller as part of the negotiated deal, or a mix. We'll talk about this up front and include it in your offer strategy, so there are no surprises at closing.

Ask questions before you sign

You should understand every line of the agreement. If something isn't clear, ask. A good agent will explain it plainly and won't rush you.

Common questions

Do I have to sign an agreement to tour homes with an agent?

Yes. Buyers now sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes together.

Who pays the buyer's agent?

It depends on the deal. The buyer may pay, the seller may agree to cover some or all of it, or it may be a mix. It's spelled out in your agreement and your offer.

Can I negotiate the terms of a buyer agreement?

Yes. The length, fee and other terms are negotiable. Read it carefully and ask questions before you sign.

Thinking about buying?

I'd like to help you find the right home and win it without overpaying. It starts with your own Buyer Game Plan: your real monthly payment, your cash to close, and where your budget goes furthest.

Keep learning

Video: Commissions in Real EstateHow Real Estate Commissions WorkVideo: Pre-Approval vs Pre-QualificationPre-Approval vs. Pre-QualificationVideo: Writing a Winning OfferHow to Write a Winning Offer on a House Without Overpaying