Buyer Broker Agreement: What It Means, How to Protect Yourself, and What to Ask Before You Sign

The useful part

If you're shopping for a home in 2025 or 2026, there's a good chance a real estate agent will hand you a document before you ever step inside a property. That document is a buyer broker agreement, and it's now a standard practice across the real estate industry. Whether you've already been asked to sign one or you're just starting your search, understanding what this contract actually says-and what it commits you to-is one of the smartest moves you can make in the home-buying process.

How it works

• This guide breaks down what these written agreements legally mean, how to protect yourself, and exactly what to ask before you put your name on the dotted line.
• A buyer broker agreement-also called a buyer representation agreement or written buyer agreement-is a contract between a homebuyer and a buyer's agent or real estate broker.