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A Buyer Brokerage Agreement
Dear Phyllis,
I contacted a well-known La Crescenta Realtor last week to see a home that has been on the market for almost a month. The Realtor told us we would need to sign COVID disclosures before viewing the home. In addition, he said he would include a Buyer Brokerage Agreement, although he did not clearly explain what it was. We scheduled an appointment for later in the week, and he sent the forms through DocuSign. The day before the showing, he called to reconfirm the appointment and to remind us about the documents.
When my husband reviewed the Buyer Brokerage Agreement, he became confused because we had contacted the seller’s agent. The agreement stated that we would need to use the seller’s agent if we decided to purchase the home. However, that was never our intention, since we already have our own Realtor.
When my husband called the seller’s agent, the agent explained that our Realtor could show us the home if we did not want to sign the agreement. However, he also stated that he would not show us the home unless we signed it. Since the home has been on the market for nearly a month, we expected the seller and their agent to want it sold. We have not bought a home in a long time, but isn’t it the seller’s agent’s job to show their own listing? Confused
Dear Confused,
COVID has changed how real estate operates. Agents now require buyers to sign some disclosures electronically before they view a home. In addition, agents cannot exchange paperwork during showings or in-person meetings. Sellers also discourage unnecessary showings and often require buyers to present a preapproval letter before they enter a property.
If you are considering the purchase of a home, why wouldn’t you want the Realtor you know and trust to see it? Wouldn’t you want your Realtor’s opinion as to what price to offer? Their opinion on condition, future resale, etc.? How else can they offer you this guidance without seeing the home?
Because open houses are no longer allowed, listing agents (the seller’s agent) now handle many more individual showings. They schedule showings for one group at a time and organize them into strict time blocks. As a result, the process has become more complex. I now use a scheduling system similar to what a hairdresser uses to manage appointments.
In addition, whether people agree with masks or not, Realtors must wear them during showings. They are uncomfortable, but we follow safety requirements. We also provide clients with safe ways to open doors, such as gloves or disinfectant wipes. Like everyone else, we have loved ones to protect, and we work to limit exposure whenever possible.
If a real estate agent expects to earn a commission by representing you in a transaction, they should fully represent you in every aspect of the process. That responsibility starts with the most basic duty of the job: showing you the property. That remains a fundamental part of a Realtor’s role.
