Buyer’s Agent
A buyer’s agent exclusively represents the buyer’s interests. Learn how these agents help with home searches, negotiations, and contract review.
Definition
A buyer’s agent is a real estate professional who represents only the buyer in a transaction. This agent assists with property searches, schedules showings, provides comparative market analyses, negotiates purchase offers, guides home inspections, and ensures contract terms protect the buyer’s interests. Unlike dual agents, who represent both buyer and seller, a buyer’s agent owes fiduciary duties solely to the buyer, such as loyalty, confidentiality, and full disclosure. Working with a buyer’s agent can help first‑time buyers navigate the complex purchasing process and avoid conflicts of interest.
Why It Matters
Since August 2024 a buyer must sign a written representation agreement before touring a home, and it has to state the agent's compensation and who pays it. That turned an old assumption into a negotiated term: if your agreement says 2.5% and the seller offers 2%, you cover the difference in cash at closing. A six-month exclusive follows you to every house you see, so the term length matters as much as the rate.
Examples
A buyer signs a six-month exclusive at 2.5%. The seller of the house she wants offers 2%, and she brings an extra $4,500 to closing on a $900,000 purchase.
A buyer tours a new construction community alone on a Saturday and the builder's rep registers him. His agent, hired the week before, is cut out of the compensation the builder pays.
An agent notices the septic inspection contingency expires on a Sunday and secures a written extension on Friday, protecting the buyer's $25,000 earnest money.
Tips
Negotiate the length of the agreement before the rate. Ask for a single property or 30 days rather than six months across your entire search.
Add language that any compensation offered by the seller offsets what you owe. Without it you can owe your agent the full amount on top of whatever the seller pays.
Ask how many transactions the agent closed in your target neighborhood last year and insist on a number. Local closing volume predicts pricing judgment better than years licensed.
Related Terms
Due Diligence
Due diligence is the investigation period in real estate. Learn why inspections, title searches, and...
Buyer’s Closing Costs
Buyer’s closing costs include fees beyond the purchase price, like loan origination, title insurance...
Broker
A real estate broker is a licensed professional who supervises agents and manages transactions. Lear...
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