Quick Answer
A buyer's agent works for you, not the seller. Their duty of loyalty runs to the buyer once you sign a buyer's agency agreement, which spells out how long they represent you and how they are compensated.
- Represents
- The buyer only
- Formalized by
- A written Buyer Representation Agreement
- Compensation
- Negotiated in writing, sometimes covered by the seller
- Core duties
- Loyalty, disclosure, and reasonable care
What a Buyer's Agent Does For You
Beyond unlocking doors, a buyer's agent researches comparable sales, helps you understand a home's condition and value, structures a competitive offer, and negotiates on your behalf through inspection, appraisal, and closing.
Because their duty runs to you, they can share information with you that a listing agent legally cannot, like honest opinions about a home's flaws or how much room there may be to negotiate.
The Buyer Representation Agreement
Since 2024, buyer's agents nationwide are required to have a signed representation agreement in place before touring homes with a client. It sets out the length of the relationship, the agent's duties, and how compensation works.
Buyer representation is not automatically free. The agreement spells out the fee, and in many Central Indiana deals the seller agrees to cover some or all of it as part of the offer, but that is negotiated case by case, not guaranteed.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Buyer's agent
Do I have to sign something before touring homes?
Yes, most brokerages require a written Buyer Representation Agreement before showing you homes in person.
Is working with a buyer's agent free?
Not automatically. A written agreement sets the fee, and the seller sometimes agrees to cover it as part of the deal, but that is negotiated, not guaranteed.
Can a buyer's agent also represent the seller?
Only in a dual agency or limited agency arrangement, and only with informed written consent from both sides.
How long does a buyer's agency agreement last?
It varies by agreement, often a set number of months, and is spelled out in the contract you sign.