Careers Business Ownership Reasons for Using a Real Estate Buyer Representation Agreement Print Business Ownership Industries Real Estate Retail Small Business Restauranting Nonprofit Organizations Landlords Import/Export Business Freelancing & Consulting Franchises Food & Beverage Event Planning eBay E-commerce Construction Operations & Success Becoming an Owner By James Kimmons James Kimmons Jim Kimmons is a real estate broker and author of multiple books on the topic. He has written hundreds of articles about how real estate works and how to use it as an investment and small business. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 11/20/19 A buyer representation (agency) agreement is a contract that delineates the relationship between a prospective home purchaser and a real estate broker or agency. While the agreement serves as good protection for the real estate agent, the home buyer can get significant value out of it as well. If, as a real estate agent, you have trouble broaching the subject with buyers or asking for a signature on this document, here's some help. 01 of 03 The Buyer Is Assured of Your Best Efforts Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy / Getty Images If a buyer is working with multiple agents or is out cruising the open houses, you are at risk of losing that buyer's business at any time. It's only logical that you would have a significantly higher level of comfort when a representation agreement is signed, and thus you'd be willing to spend more time and effort in scouring the market for the right properties for your clients. To help you put this in front of your prospective home buyer in a positive way, you might say that you do a preshowing drive-by of properties for your clients who have signed the agreement. Due to the time commitment and expense of doing so, you're unable to offer this service to nonclients. People are very risk-averse and will dislike the idea of missing out on great properties as a result of not having access to this additional service. A buyer might feel resistant to signing a binding and—in their mind—limiting agreement with you before they know you a little. In this case, you may choose to start working with the buyer and present the agreement again once they get to know and trust you. 02 of 03 Your Buyer Representation Clients Are Exposed to Every Eligible Property Jim Kimmons Seeing every eligible property is a very important part of your representation clients' buying process. If the assurance of plenty of choices doesn't get potential clients into the mood of signing the agreement, then nothing else is likely to do so. Continued resistance to signing might also indicate a less-than-serious buyer. Basically, you should say something along the lines of the following: "Mr. and Mrs. Buyer, I am aware of some properties that might possibly meet your requirements that are not listed in the MLS. I feel it's in your best interests, and my duty, to look for FSBO properties that you might want to see. But we'll need to agree that I'll get paid a minimum commission if one of these FBSO properties that I find you turn out to be the right one for you. You can negotiate its payment as part of the transaction." Believe it or not, buyers have been known to sue later when they see a home listed that they weren't shown. It's just good practice to show them all the homes that meet their criteria and keep a record of doing so. 03 of 03 You Get Paid for Sure lewkmiller / Getty Images The knowledge that you will get paid for your work will help with your own mental and financial comfort. It's a whole lot nicer going to the office each day knowing that you'll be showing properties to buyers who are serious enough to guarantee that you'll get paid. You'll also be able to enjoy that great feeling of knowing that you are able to show them all the homes that meet their requirements, as well as having them well-informed as to their choices in representation. It's not fun having a buyer ask you after a purchase why they didn't see the home three streets over at a better price.