Since August 2024, buyers working with an agent generally sign a written agreement before touring homes. The agreement sets out what the agent will do, how long it lasts, and how much the agent is paid, stated clearly. Your offer can ask the seller to pay some or all of that compensation, and sellers often agree, but it's a negotiated term, not automatic. Read the term, how you can end the agreement and the compensation section before you sign, and ask every question you have.
Buyer agency agreements are now a standard, required part of working with a real estate agent, following industry wide changes to how buyer representation is structured. Here's what changed and what it actually means for you as a Chandler buyer.
What changed
Since August 2024, following a national settlement involving the National Association of REALTORS®, agents who work with buyers generally need a written agreement in place before touring homes together. Offers of buyer agent compensation also can no longer be advertised on the MLS. The result is that how your agent is paid is now settled between you and your agent, up front and in writing.
None of this changed what a good buyer's agent actually does. We still find homes, research them, write and negotiate offers, manage inspections and deadlines and guide you to the closing table. What changed is that the terms of that relationship are now written down before we start, which I think is how it always should have been.
What a buyer agreement covers
These agreements typically outline the scope of representation, the term of the agreement, and how buyer agent compensation will be handled, I walk through every section with you before you sign anything, so there's no confusion.
| Section | What to look for |
|---|---|
| What the agent does | The services you're getting |
| Term | How long the agreement lasts |
| Area or properties | Whether it covers all homes or specific ones |
| Compensation | A clearly stated amount or rate |
| Who can pay it | You, or the seller if negotiated in your offer |
| Ending it | How you or the agent can cancel |
How buyer agent compensation works now
Your agent's compensation is set in the agreement you sign. When you make an offer, you can ask the seller to pay some or all of it. Sellers often agree, but it's a negotiated term in the purchase contract, never automatic. If the seller pays less than your agreement says, the agreement explains how the difference is handled, which is why reading that section matters.
On the seller's side, sellers are obligated only for the commission in their own listing agreement. Anything toward the buyer's agent is something they choose to agree to in your offer.
The Arizona form
In Arizona, buyer agreements are often written on a form from the Arizona Association of REALTORS called the Buyer Broker Exclusive Employment Agreement. It's a standard form, but the blanks matter: the term, the area it covers, the compensation and how either side can end it. Every one of those is something you and your agent agree on together.
It doesn't have to be a long commitment
An agreement can be written narrowly. It can cover a short period, a single property or a limited area, especially if you're just getting started or only want to see one home. Under the current rules, the compensation has to be a clear amount or rate you can understand, not something open ended. If you're not ready for a long commitment, say so, and we'll write it to fit where you are.
Open houses and looking online
You can still browse online and walk into an open house on your own without signing anything. The agreement comes into play when you want an agent to tour homes with you and represent you. If you visit an open house, the agent there usually represents the seller, so be careful about sharing your top price or your timeline.
Why this change can benefit buyers
While it adds a formal step, this shift creates more transparency around how agents are compensated and formalizes the representation relationship, protections that ultimately benefit buyers by making the process clearer, not murkier.
Questions to ask before you sign
Ask about the agreement's term length, what happens if you want to work with a different agent, and exactly how compensation will be structured for the homes you're considering. I encourage every question, you should feel completely clear before signing.
When one agent works with both sides
Arizona allows one agent or brokerage to represent both the buyer and the seller in the same deal, with written consent from both. In that case, the agent can't advocate for one side against the other on things like price. It's legal and sometimes convenient, but you should understand exactly what it means before agreeing. I'll always explain it in plain words and in writing if it ever comes up.
New construction
Many builders offer to pay buyer agent compensation too, but they often require your agent to be with you on your first visit. See Should you buy new construction directly or with a buyer's agent in Chandler?
The bottom line
I'll walk you through exactly what this agreement means before you ever sign anything, full transparency, no fine print surprises.
Take the first step toward clarity and protection, schedule a consultation with me today.
Questions, answered.
Do I have to sign an agreement before touring any home?
Generally yes, under current industry standards. I'll walk you through exactly what you're signing and answer every question before you commit.
Am I locked into working with one agent forever once I sign?
No, agreements have specific terms and can be structured flexibly. I'll make sure you understand exactly what you're agreeing to, including how it can end.
How is my agent actually paid under the new rules?
The amount is set in your agreement. Your offer can ask the seller to cover some or all of it, which is negotiated in the contract.
Do sellers still pay buyer agents?
Often, if the buyer asks in the offer and the seller agrees. A seller is only obligated for the commission in their own listing agreement.
When did these changes take effect?
In August 2024, following a national settlement involving the National Association of REALTORS®.
Want to talk it through?
Bring me the specifics of your situation and I will tell you straight what I would do. No pitch, nothing to sign, and no obligation to work with me afterward.
Walk through the agreement with me