Buyer Representation Agreement FAQ

This agreement makes our relationship official. It gives us, as your real estate team, the exclusive right to represent you in purchasing or leasing property in the market area we define together. It means we work for you—not the seller—and we are committed to protecting your interests throughout the process.

Texas law requires a written agreement before a license holder shows residential property to a buyer. It also clearly outlines our duties to you, your obligations under the agreement, and how compensation works so everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

We customize the agreement based on your timeline. Most agreements are set for a period that gives us enough time to search, negotiate, and get you to closing without rushing the process.

If your plans change or you need to pause, please talk with us. We believe in clear communication and reasonable solutions. Because this is a legally binding agreement, any change, early termination, or release should be handled in writing so expectations are clear for everyone.

Our fee is spelled out in the agreement before we begin. We will first seek to have the seller, landlord, listing broker, or another permitted source pay all or part of that fee whenever possible.

If a property offers less than the amount stated in our agreement—or if you choose a property with no buyer-agent compensation, such as some for-sale-by-owner opportunities—we will discuss that with you before moving forward. No surprises.

If any amount is paid to us from another source, that amount reduces what you would otherwise owe under the agreement. The total compensation we receive from all sources will not exceed the amount stated in your representation agreement.

Legal note: Broker compensation is not set by law, the MLS, or the National Association of REALTORS®. Compensation is fully negotiable, and each broker independently determines their fees.

Some buyer representation agreements include an optional retainer. If one is used, the agreement explains whether it applies toward other fees or is treated separately. If your agreement does not include a retainer, that section will simply not apply.

This is the geographic area covered by our agreement. It could be Greater Austin, specific counties, a city, a neighborhood, or another defined area based on your search. We will clearly identify it in writing so everyone understands where the agreement applies.

If you want to buy a property listed by our brokerage, Texas law may allow the broker to act as an intermediary with your written consent. In that situation, the broker must remain fair to both parties and follow special rules about what can and cannot be disclosed. We will explain it clearly if it ever comes up.

The current agreement includes a 30-day protection period after the agreement ends. In simple terms, if you or a related party acquire a property we introduced to you during the agreement term and it was properly identified after the agreement ends, this clause helps protect the work we already did on your behalf.

• Information About Brokerage Services (IABS): Explains how agency relationships work and what duties brokers owe under Texas law.
• General Information and Notice to Consumers: Provides guidance on inspections, flood issues, insurance, taxes, surveys, school boundaries, and other common Texas real estate topics.
• Consumer Protection Notice: A state-required notice explaining how the Texas Real Estate Commission helps protect consumers.
• Wire Fraud Warning: Important safety information to help protect your funds. We will never send wiring instructions by unsecured electronic communication.
• Affiliated Business Disclosure: Explains any business relationships our brokerage may have with title companies, lenders, or other service providers. You are never required to use them and are always free to shop around.

These notices are there to protect you. Homes may have cameras or other recording devices, brokers are not inspectors, and brokers cannot give legal advice. If a question falls outside our lane, we will always encourage you to bring in the right expert.