What You Should Know Before Hiring a Buyer's Agent

TipsGuide

Jun 25

Choosing a buyer's agent is one of the more consequential decisions in the home buying process, and it does not get nearly enough attention. Most people spend more time researching a refrigerator than they do interviewing agents. This is a guide to help you do it better.

You Have the Right to Negotiate

New rules now require a signed Buyer Agency Agreement before an agent can show you homes. That is not something to be alarmed about, but it is something to read carefully. These contracts outline the length of the relationship, what services are included, how compensation works, and whether there are cancellation fees.

A few things worth knowing: you can negotiate the terms. You can ask about cancellation fees before signing. Some agents charge if you end the agreement early. We do not. If we are not the right fit, you should be free to find someone who is.

We offer a one-day trial agreement for exactly this reason. It gives you the chance to see how we work before making a longer commitment. No pressure, no obligation.

How Buyer Agent Compensation Works Now

Since the National Association of Realtors NAR settlement, buyer agent compensation is no longer automatically offered through the MLS. It is now a negotiable part of your purchase offer, typically requested as a seller-paid concession. If the seller agrees, they cover your agent's fee as part of the deal. In some situations, like new construction or for sale by owner properties, there may be no commission offered at all unless you negotiate it.

This makes it more important than ever to understand what you are agreeing to before you sign anything.

How to Find the Right Agent

Not all agents operate the same way. Some work with a high volume of clients and rely on systems and showing assistants to manage the load. Others work with fewer clients and stay more directly involved at every stage. Neither model is inherently wrong, but it is worth asking how an agent manages their workload and what your experience will actually look like day to day.

When you click a contact button on a real estate portal, you may not reach the agent you expect. Many of those inquiries route to agents who pay for leads and may not have specific knowledge of the home or neighborhood. It is always worth asking who you are actually talking to and whether they are the person who will be representing you throughout the process.

What a Good Agent Actually Does

Beyond finding homes, a buyer's agent should help you understand what you are looking at, flag potential issues, explain your options at each decision point, and negotiate on your behalf. The best ones do not tell you what to do. They lay out the tradeoffs and let you make the call.

We have both lived in Portland for over 30 years. We have remodeled homes ourselves. When we talk about what holds up, what to watch for, and what a space could become, it comes from direct experience rather than talking points.

Before You Sign Anything

Ask for a copy of the Buyer Agency Agreement in advance. Read it when you are not standing on a front porch about to tour a home. Make sure the contract length, services, compensation, and cancellation terms are all clearly spelled out. A good agent will welcome those questions, not rush past them.

If you want to talk through how it all works before committing to anything, we are easy to reach.