🎬 Watch directly on YouTube → Turn Your Buyer Broker Agreement into a Tool, Not a Trap

What’s On My Mind This Week: Buyer Broker Agreements Are 100% Negotiable And Nobody Is Talking About It

In a recent Tracy Talks Real video, I continued my series called Buyer Broker Agreements - Navigate Them Like A Boss, with a look at a framework for building your own Buyer Broker Agreement.

Don’t Sign … Design

Earlier in this series, I explained when you have to sign a Buyer Broker Agreement (and 3 circumstances when you don’t), I outlined 10 essentials to know about these agreements, I described the Core 5 buyer protection clauses, I distinguished Zillow Touring Agreements, and I shared ideas for negotiating specific clauses.

Then I wrote a post that is the bow on the package encouraging homebuyers to build their own agreement.

Most buyers skim their Buyer Broker Agreement in a hurry or sign without reading at all. They trust the document because an agent handed it to them and said “sign this.” They assume it’s standard. They assume it’s safe.

But that approach is risky, especially when it’s so easy to build a version that actually fits their needs. Turn your Buyer Broker Agreement into a tool, not a trap.

The 3-Step Decoding Framework

In my post, I described an easy three-step framework that can be used to decode any buyer broker agreement an agent might hand you:

1. Identify The Core 5 Clauses

2. Tweak The Core 5 Clauses

3. Evaluate Everything Else, Briefly

Does even the the 3-Step Framework seem like too much work? Chuck everything and work with the very simple Core 5-forward template agreement I share in my Agency Agreement Decoder™ course.

Suddenly everything is simpler with the noise already removed from the agreement.

Either way, by leaning in on the Core 5, you have a fair, balanced and strong representation agreement.

Buyers don’t need to accept any version of a Buyer Broker Agreement that doesn’t reflect their actual goals.

This is the moment where buyers shift from signing the agreement they’re handed … to designing the agreement they need. Read the full post at Buyer Broker Agreements Decoded.

Your Roadmap To Decoding Your Own Buyer Broker Agreement

I recently introduced a course named Agency Agreement Decoder™ designed to walk homebuyers through these agreements, pointing out ways to negotiate provisions that focus on protecting the buyer. The coursework is offered as on demand, self-paced video lessons.

I also recently introduced a consulting offer where I review your agreement before you sign it. I don’t provide legal advice or agency advice, but I will help you identify the core 5 contract terms that protect buyers, and provide personalized strategies for putting the rest of the agreement back to your agent for changes and/or explanations.

Buyer Broker Agreements can be as lightweight as you want.  Super lightweight agreements can be used even to audition an agent or tour for a day. Use my Agency Agreement Decoder™ course to design an agreement that serves your specific needs.

Final Thoughts

Buyer Broker Agreements might feel scary or limiting, but I’ve got all the insider tips to help you understand these rather simple agreements and strategies to make them work for you. Subscribe to this newsletter and my youtube channel and follow along as I roll out the rest of my series on negotiating these agreements.

SUBSCRIBE

Related to this article:

• Real Talk Learning Buyer Success Series™

• Core Contract Terms Fast Action Checklist

• Agency Agreement Core 5 Fast Action Workbook

• Agency Agreement Decoder™

• Review My Buyer Broker Agreement

• Find Me Agents

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ was born in very early 2025 and has since grown into the Home Buyer Success Series™, along with Home Buyer Prep Plan™, Agency Agreement Decoder™ and Agent Accountability Playbook™.

The entire series is designed for today's homebuyers to help them optimize for their highest and best homebuying outcome, that is, buying homes for the price and terms they want, guided by skilled negotiators.

I created Buyer Agent Game Plan™ because I 100% believe that your agent choice can absolutely make or break the success of your purchase. There are no returns on that home once you close. You will want to get it right and your unicorn agent will be indispensable.

Smart buyers don't wing it. They interview. They ask hard questions. They evaluate unemotionally. They know the agent they hire can either protect their investment ... or walk them into a trap.

In Buyer Agent Game Plan™, you'll learn

• what type of agent makes the most sense for your specific situation

• who pays for your agent and a strategy for shifting the out of pocket cost to the seller

• the roles Zillow and discounted brokers can play in home buying

• why having your personal ducks in a row before picking an agent matters

• what questions to ask to uncover undesirable agent attributes, including commission bias

• a ridiculously simple strategy for conducting multiple interviews

• and a framework for comparing multiple agent candidates "apples to apples"

I also offer a corollary service called Find Me Agents to provide qualified agents in your local area for you to interview.

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ helps you buy your next home with confidence, knowing you have the right agent in your corner giving you smart advice on a topic you will seldom encounter in your lifetime - the purchase of a huge asset.

If you're getting ready to buy, and you want your agent decision to work for you, not against you, grab my Buyer Agent Game Plan™. It's the step-by-step blueprint I created so buyers like you don't have to guess, gamble or make big mistakes.

Smart buyers don't wait until it's too late -- they hire with a game plan because the best way to avoid buyer remorse is to spot the traps before you step in one.

ENROLL NOW

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, November 27, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, November 30, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This post is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

🎬 Watch directly on YouTube → Real Buyer Broker Agreements in the Wild — What They Reveal

What’s On My Mind This Week: Buyer Broker Agreements Are Not A Standardized Form

In a recent Tracy Talks Real video, I continued my series called Buyer Broker Agreements - Navigate Them Like A Boss, with a look at buyer broker agreement usage around the country.

Real Life Buyer Broker Agreements

The mainstream media has had a lot to say about the new home-buying rules that emerged from the 2024 NAR Settlement.

The Washington Post rounded up examples of real Buyer Broker Agreements from around the country and what stood out to me wasn’t the paperwork itself, but the negotiating ideas surfaced for buyers.

When you see how different real Buyer Broker Agreements can be, you’ll realize you don’t have to sign whatever lands in front of you.

In my recent post, I covered:
✅ How compensation, duration and cancellation vary in real contracts
✅ Which clauses deserve a closer look before you sign
✅ How to negotiate agreements that protect your interests
✅ Why focusing on the Core 5 Clauses helps you cut through the noise

One Rule Did Not Create One Form

The 2024 NAR Settlement was very clear that Buyer Broker Agreements are required before touring MLS-listed homes with NAR member agents.

A few guiding principles were set, like how compensation is to be defined, but the court order did not create one national form, very much leaving Buyer Broker Agreements not standardized.

That left brokers and associations free to devise their own idea of what the court meant. They stepped into the void, usually writing agreements that protect brokers and agents more than homebuyers.

Often these agreements get presented as mere forms that have to be signed as presented, but nothing is further from the truth. Buyer broker agreements are 100% negotiable, with the exception of certain specifics required with respect to compensation.

The Washington Post article provided a few great examples of where a negotiation conversation might start. My post discusses six different ideas. Read about these ideas here.

Does the idea of negotiating your own buyer broker agreement send shivers of fear up and down your spine? Don’t let it. My post also describes how to use the Core 5 as your anchor.

And don’t miss my FAQ Section - What Buyers Are Asking Right Now About Real Buyer Broker Agreements.

Your Roadmap To Decoding Your Own Buyer Broker Agreement

I recently introduced a course named Agency Agreement Decoder™ designed to walk homebuyers through these agreements, pointing out ways to negotiate provisions that focus on protecting the buyer. The coursework is offered as on demand, self-paced video lessons.

I also recently introduced a consulting offer where I review your agreement before you sign it. I don’t provide legal advice or agency advice, but I will help you identify the core 5 contract terms that protect buyers, and provide personalized strategies for putting the rest of the agreement back to your agent for changes and/or explanations.

Buyer Broker Agreements can be as lightweight as you want.  Super lightweight agreements can be used even to audition an agent or tour for a day. Use my Agency Agreement Decoder™ course to design an agreement that serves your specific needs.

Final Thoughts

Buyer Broker Agreements might feel scary or limiting, but I’ve got all the insider tips to help you understand these rather simple agreements and strategies to make them work for you. Subscribe to this newsletter and my youtube channel and follow along as I roll out the rest of my series on negotiating these agreements.

SUBSCRIBE

Related to this article:

• Real Talk Learning Buyer Success Series™

• Core Contract Terms Fast Action Checklist

• Agency Agreement Core 5 Fast Action Workbook

• Agency Agreement Decoder™

• Review My Buyer Broker Agreement

• Find Me Agents

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ was born in very early 2025 and has since grown into the Home Buyer Success Series™, along with Home Buyer Prep Plan™, Agency Agreement Decoder™ and Agent Accountability Playbook™.

The entire series is designed for today's homebuyers to help them optimize for their highest and best homebuying outcome, that is, buying homes for the price and terms they want, guided by skilled negotiators.

I created Buyer Agent Game Plan™ because I 100% believe that your agent choice can absolutely make or break the success of your purchase. There are no returns on that home once you close. You will want to get it right and your unicorn agent will be indispensable.

Smart buyers don't wing it. They interview. They ask hard questions. They evaluate unemotionally. They know the agent they hire can either protect their investment ... or walk them into a trap.

In Buyer Agent Game Plan™, you'll learn

• what type of agent makes the most sense for your specific situation

• who pays for your agent and a strategy for shifting the out of pocket cost to the seller

• the roles Zillow and discounted brokers can play in home buying

• why having your personal ducks in a row before picking an agent matters

• what questions to ask to uncover undesirable agent attributes, including commission bias

• a ridiculously simple strategy for conducting multiple interviews

• and a framework for comparing multiple agent candidates "apples to apples"

I also offer a corollary service called Find Me Agents to provide qualified agents in your local area for you to interview.

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ helps you buy your next home with confidence, knowing you have the right agent in your corner giving you smart advice on a topic you will seldom encounter in your lifetime - the purchase of a huge asset.

If you're getting ready to buy, and you want your agent decision to work for you, not against you, grab my Buyer Agent Game Plan™. It's the step-by-step blueprint I created so buyers like you don't have to guess, gamble or make big mistakes.

Smart buyers don't wait until it's too late -- they hire with a game plan because the best way to avoid buyer remorse is to spot the traps before you step in one.

ENROLL NOW

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, November 27, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, November 30, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This post is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

🎬 Watch directly on YouTube → Zillow’s Touring Agreement: Brilliant Consumer Move or Scam?

What’s On My Mind This Week: Consumers Are Being Duped By Zillow’s Touring Agreement

In a recent Tracy Talks Real video, I continued my series called Buyer Broker Agreements - Navigate Them Like A Boss, with a look at Zillow’s Touring Agreement as a replacement for Buyer Broker Agreements.

ZTA’s Looked Like A Stroke Of Brilliance

When the new home-buying rules took effect in late 2024 requiring written 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 before touring properties, Zillow seemed to have the perfect fix — a short, simple Touring Agreement that let buyers start house hunting without commitment or cost.

But was it really a brilliant consumer move ... or a strategic play simply to keep Zillow’s touring business alive?

In a recent blog post, I unpacked what the Zillow Touring Agreement actually is, why Zillow launched it, and whether it’s a win for buyers.

I covered:
✅ Why the “free tour” idea isn’t what it seems
✅ What the Zillow Touring Agreement really says
✅ Why listing agents and sellers view ZTAs with suspicion
✅ How Zillow agents get matched with buyers
✅ What to use instead of a ZTA

Your home tours should come with clarity, not confusion. Let’s take a look at what is in these agreements.

About Those Zillow Touring Agreements

When the home-buying rules changed after the 2024 NAR Settlement, buyer broker agreements were required whenever a buyer wanted to tour an MLS-listed property, even virtually.

And along with those buyer broker agreements came a commitment clause to pay a defined amount of compensation to the buyer’s agent. Buyers and agents everywhere went into freak mode.

This new agreement requirement also became a major source of friction for Zillow’s #1 source of revenue — matching buyers with agents for home tours.

Zillow immediately introduced their own agreement, the Zillow Touring Agreement. On its face, it was a short-term, no-cost, non-exclusive document that pretty much continued practices from before the litigation settlement.

Consumers loved the idea of free services and no commitment. Unfortunately, these agreements were not adequate under the new rules.

The new rules expressly require a compensation clause. Without such a clause, no professional relationship is formed and no duties are owed to the buyer by the agent. There were other problems with these agreements, as discussed in my post.

Worse for consumers, Zillow agents never intended to work for free, and often showed up at the touring appointment with a 10-20 page “real” buyer broker agreement, which they expected buyers to sign on the spot, with no chance to review or negotiate the agreement.

No, Zillow’s agreements were good for buyers in the least.

A Smarter Alternative To Zillow Touring Agreements

I completely understand the appeal of browsing properties on Zillow and clicking a button to see some homes.

It feels efficient — and hey, you’re only going to be committed for a few days anyway, right? Not when that Zillow agent shows up with a 10- to 20-page Buyer Broker Agreement that commits you for a lot longer — and you don’t even know that agent yet.

As efficient as the Zillow process feels, there is a better way, a way that let’s you bring the efficiencies and still protect yourself with agent services on your terms.

Build yourself a simple touring agreement, but with a compensation clause. This means hiring a professional agent who is then contractually bound to protect your interests.

I don’t hear many agents talking about this, but buyer broker agreements are 100% negotiable. They are not some form you have to sign as is, just because an agent handed it to you.

This means you are free to build your agreement from scratch. Use it with Zillow agents or agents you find, vet and hire yourself.

I talk more about building your own lightweight Buyer Broker Agreement in my post.

Still have questions about Zillow Touring Agreements? Don’t miss my FAQ section in the post - What Buyers Are Asking Right Now About Zillow Touring Agreements.

Still want to go the Zillow route? Bring your own one-day Touring Agreement and tell the agent that is what you’ll sign, not the mystery agreement they turned up with.

Building Your Own Buyer Broker Agreement

I recently introduced a course named Agency Agreement Decoder™ designed to walk homebuyers through these agreements, pointing out ways to negotiate provisions that focus on protecting the buyer. The coursework is offered as on demand, self-paced video lessons.

I also recently introduced a consulting offer where I review your agreement before you sign it. I don’t provide legal advice or agency advice, but I will help you identify the core 5 contract terms that protect buyers, and provide personalized strategies for putting the rest of the agreement back to your agent for changes and/or explanations.

Buyer Broker Agreements can be as lightweight as you want.  Super lightweight agreements can be used even to audition an agent or tour for a day. Use my Agency Agreement Decoder™ course to design an agreement that serves your specific needs.

Final Thoughts

Buyer Broker Agreements might feel scary or limiting, but I’ve got all the insider tips to help you understand these rather simple agreements and strategies to make them work for you. Subscribe to this newsletter and my youtube channel and follow along as I roll out the rest of my series on negotiating these agreements.

SUBSCRIBE

Related to this article:

• Real Talk Learning Buyer Success Series™

• Core Contract Terms Fast Action Checklist

• Agency Agreement Core 5 Fast Action Workbook

• Agency Agreement Decoder™

• Review My Buyer Broker Agreement

• Find Me Agents

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ was born in very early 2025 and has since grown into the Home Buyer Success Series™, along with Home Buyer Prep Plan™, Agency Agreement Decoder™ and Agent Accountability Playbook™.

The entire series is designed for today's homebuyers to help them optimize for their highest and best homebuying outcome, that is, buying homes for the price and terms they want, guided by skilled negotiators.

I created Buyer Agent Game Plan™ because I 100% believe that your agent choice can absolutely make or break the success of your purchase. There are no returns on that home once you close. You will want to get it right and your unicorn agent will be indispensable.

Smart buyers don't wing it. They interview. They ask hard questions. They evaluate unemotionally. They know the agent they hire can either protect their investment ... or walk them into a trap.

In Buyer Agent Game Plan™, you'll learn

• what type of agent makes the most sense for your specific situation

• who pays for your agent and a strategy for shifting the out of pocket cost to the seller

• the roles Zillow and discounted brokers can play in home buying

• why having your personal ducks in a row before picking an agent matters

• what questions to ask to uncover undesirable agent attributes, including commission bias

• a ridiculously simple strategy for conducting multiple interviews

• and a framework for comparing multiple agent candidates "apples to apples"

I also offer a corollary service called Find Me Agents to provide qualified agents in your local area for you to interview.

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ helps you buy your next home with confidence, knowing you have the right agent in your corner giving you smart advice on a topic you will seldom encounter in your lifetime - the purchase of a huge asset.

If you're getting ready to buy, and you want your agent decision to work for you, not against you, grab my Buyer Agent Game Plan™. It's the step-by-step blueprint I created so buyers like you don't have to guess, gamble or make big mistakes.

Smart buyers don't wait until it's too late -- they hire with a game plan because the best way to avoid buyer remorse is to spot the traps before you step in one.

ENROLL NOW

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, November 27, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, November 30, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This post is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

🎬 Watch directly on YouTube → Buyer Broker Agreements: 5 Clauses That Actually Matter

What’s On My Mind This Week: Homebuyers Don’t Know How Easy It Can Be To Negotiate Buyer Broker Agreements

In a recent Tracy Talks Real video, I continued my series called Buyer Broker Agreements - Navigate Them Like A Boss, with a look at 5 core contract terms to focus on when negotiating a Buyer Broker Agreement.

The Big Scary Wall Of Words

Buyer Broker Agreements aka Buyer Agency Agreements aka Buyer Representation Agreements aka Buyer Contracts aka Touring Agreements have become a big thing after the 2024 NAR Settlement.

One of the big new rules coming from that lawsuit is a requirement for homebuyers to sign representation agreements before touring homes. It beats the heck out of me why a home tour represents such a defining moment, but the rule is currently what the rule is (with 3 minor exceptions).

With this new rule, agents are putting agreements in front of consumers that are pages and pages of words designed to protect agents, not homebuyers. 😱

But you are not in any way required to sign the agreement offered by your agent in the form offered.

These agreements are fully negotiable, and I’m on a mission to help homebuyers understand exactly what terms to focus on to protect themselves and what to do with all the extras in those agreements.

I’ve identified five core terms for buyers to focus on. I contend that if the contract had nothing more than these five terms, it would be a fair contract for both parties.

I also have ideas for how to handle everything in the agreement beyond these five clauses.

Meet The Core 5

Buyer Broker Agreements are an agreement between you and your real estate professional outlining the services your real estate professional will provide you as a homebuyer, and what the agent will be paid for those services.

There are five core clauses that by themselves can constitute a robust and fair representation agreement.

No matter how long, short, organized or messy the agreement is, the Core 5 buyer clauses are your North Star:

1. Geographic Scope

2. Duration

3. Agency Relationship

4. Compensation

5. Cancellation

So how to attack that wall of words? My strategy for you is outlined on my blog at Homebuyer Success Starts With Understanding The Core 5 Buyer Agency Agreement Clauses. I also share in that post what to do with everything in the agreement beyond the Core 5.

Your Roadmap To Decoding Your Own Buyer Broker Agreement

I recently introduced a course named Agency Agreement Decoder™ designed to walk homebuyers through these agreements, pointing out ways to negotiate provisions that focus on protecting the buyer. The coursework is offered as on demand, self-paced video lessons.

I also recently introduced a consulting offer where I review your agreement before you sign it. I don’t provide legal advice or agency advice, but I will help you identify the core 5 contract terms that protect buyers, and provide personalized strategies for putting the rest of the agreement back to your agent for changes and/or explanations.

Buyer Broker Agreements can be as lightweight as you want.  Super lightweight agreements can be used even to audition an agent or tour for a day. Use my Agency Agreement Decoder™ course to design an agreement that serves your specific needs.

Final Thoughts

Buyer Broker Agreements might feel scary or limiting, but I’ve got all the insider tips to help you understand these rather simple agreements and strategies to make them work for you. Subscribe to this newsletter and my youtube channel and follow along as I roll out the rest of my series on negotiating these agreements.

SUBSCRIBE

Related to this article:

• Real Talk Learning Buyer Success Series™

• Core Contract Terms Fast Action Checklist

• Agency Agreement Core 5 Fast Action Workbook

• Agency Agreement Decoder™

• Review My Buyer Broker Agreement

• Find Me Agents

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ was born in very early 2025 and has since grown into the Home Buyer Success Series™, along with Home Buyer Prep Plan™, Agency Agreement Decoder™ and Agent Accountability Playbook™.

The entire series is designed for today's homebuyers to help them optimize for their highest and best homebuying outcome, that is, buying homes for the price and terms they want, guided by skilled negotiators.

I created Buyer Agent Game Plan™ because I 100% believe that your agent choice can absolutely make or break the success of your purchase. There are no returns on that home once you close. You will want to get it right and your unicorn agent will be indispensable.

Smart buyers don't wing it. They interview. They ask hard questions. They evaluate unemotionally. They know the agent they hire can either protect their investment ... or walk them into a trap.

In Buyer Agent Game Plan™, you'll learn

• what type of agent makes the most sense for your specific situation

• who pays for your agent and a strategy for shifting the out of pocket cost to the seller

• the roles Zillow and discounted brokers can play in home buying

• why having your personal ducks in a row before picking an agent matters

• what questions to ask to uncover undesirable agent attributes, including commission bias

• a ridiculously simple strategy for conducting multiple interviews

• and a framework for comparing multiple agent candidates "apples to apples"

I also offer a corollary service called Find Me Agents to provide qualified agents in your local area for you to interview.

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ helps you buy your next home with confidence, knowing you have the right agent in your corner giving you smart advice on a topic you will seldom encounter in your lifetime - the purchase of a huge asset.

If you're getting ready to buy, and you want your agent decision to work for you, not against you, grab my Buyer Agent Game Plan™. It's the step-by-step blueprint I created so buyers like you don't have to guess, gamble or make big mistakes.

Smart buyers don't wait until it's too late -- they hire with a game plan because the best way to avoid buyer remorse is to spot the traps before you step in one.

ENROLL NOW

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, November 27, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, November 30, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This post is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: There are a lot consumers who still don’t understand buyer broker agreements.

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I continued my series called Buyer Broker Agreements - Navigate Them Like A Boss, with a look at 10 essential things to understand about these new agreements.

Spoiler alert! #4 is a biggie! Keep reading for the full discussion. 🏡💪

The Dirty Truth About Buyer Broker Agreements

Buyer Broker Agreements aka Buyer Agency Agreements aka Buyer Representation Agreements aka Buyer Contracts aka Touring Agreements were front and center in the settlement of last year’s commission reform class action lawsuits, suddenly thrusting a requirement on nearly all buyers to sign such an agreement before touring a property, even virtually.

Agents are putting agreements in front of consumers that are pages and pages of words designed to protect agents, not homebuyers. These agreements are fully negotiable and I want homebuyers to understand exactly what to negotiate to protect themselves and what to do with all the extras in those agreements.

For all 10 essentials, watch the video. In this post, let’s dive deeper into essential principle #4, my favorite for consumers.

Essential Principle #4 - Buyer Broker Agreements Are Fully Negotiable

Buyer Broker Agreements are an agreement between you and your real estate professional outlining the services your real estate professional will provide you as a homebuyer, and what the agent will be paid for those services.

These agreements are now required in most instances before you see properties, either in person or virtually. In my last post and video, I outlined three exceptions to this new general rule.

But here is an insider scoop about those agreements. They are written by agents to protect agents, not consumers!

Do you have to sign the version handed to you?

Nope! You can negotiate every single point in this agreement, except those required by law.

 Sample terms to negotiate include the services you want to receive, the length of the agreement and the broker's compensation. 

Compensation between you and the broker is not set by law, but there is a legal requirement that whatever compensation you negotiate is clearly defined in the agreement. 

For instance, compensation might be $0 for some reason, it might be a percentage of the property sale price, or it might be a flat hourly fee. There is a legal requirement that compensation cannot be open-ended. That is, you cannot say “fee to be whatever the seller will pay.”

Homebuyers should only sign an agreement that reflects exactly what is agreed to with their real estate professional.

The new rules prohibit real estate professionals from collecting any more than stated in the agreement no matter who's paying. This means that if the negotiated compensation is 2.5% of the purchase price, and the seller is willing to pay 3%, the broker cannot collect 3%.

Other terms can also be negotiated. I recently introduced a course named Agency Agreement Decoder™ designed to walk homebuyers through these agreements, pointing out ways to negotiate provisions that focus on protecting the buyer. The coursework is offered as on demand, self-paced video lessons.

I also recently introduced a consulting offer to have me review your agreement before you sign it. I don’t provide legal advice or agency advice, but I will help you identify the core five contract terms that protect buyers, and how to put the rest back to your agent for changes and/or explanations.

Buyer agreements can be as lightweight as you want.  Super lightweight agreements can be used even to audition an agent or tour for a day. Use my Agency Agreement Decoder™ course to design an agreement that serves your specific needs.

And Watch Out For This!

I’m hearing anecdotally that some brokers are adding junk fees to their buyer broker agreements. Lenders have been doing this for years, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.

These fees might be called admin fees, brokerage fees, transaction fees or regulatory compliance fees. Cross these out! Tell your agent those fees should be paid out of his or her commission, not by you! Or at least, it’s my opinion that if you’ve negotiated a standard 2.5% to 3.0% commission, all fees should be wrapped up in that commission.

You may have less success negotiating these fees out where the negotiated commission is substantially lower than standard, as with discount brokers or savvy negotiation by you.

Final Thoughts

Buyer Broker Agreements might feel scary or limiting, but I’ve got all the insider tips to help you understand these rather simple agreements and strategies to make them work for you. Subscribe to this newsletter and my youtube channel and follow along as I roll out the good stuff with the rest of my series on negotiating these agreements.

SUBSCRIBE

Related to this article:

• Real Talk Learning Buyer Success Series™

• Core Contract Terms Fast Action Checklist

• Agency Agreement Decoder™

• Review My Buyer Broker Agreement

• Find Me Agents

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ was born in very early 2025 and has since grown into the Home Buyer Success Series™, along with Home Buyer Prep Plan™, Agency Agreement Decoder™ and Agent Accountability Playbook™.

The entire series is designed for today's homebuyers to help them optimize for their highest and best homebuying outcome, that is, buying homes for the price and terms they want, guided by skilled negotiators.

I created Buyer Agent Game Plan™ because I 100% believe that your agent choice can absolutely make or break the success of your purchase. There are no returns on that home once you close. You will want to get it right.

Smart buyers don't wing it. They interview. They ask hard questions. They evaluate unemotionally. They know the agent they hire can either protect their investment ... or walk them into a trap.

In Buyer Agent Game Plan™, you'll learn

• what type of agent makes the most sense for your specific situation

• who pays for your agent and a strategy for shifting the out of pocket cost to the seller

• the roles Zillow and discounted brokers can play in home buying

• why having your personal ducks in a row before picking an agent matters

• what questions to ask to uncover undesirable agent attributes, including commission bias

• a ridiculously simple strategy for conducting multiple interviews

• and a framework for comparing multiple agent candidates "apples to apples"

I also offer a corollary service called Find Me Agents to provide qualified agents in your local area for you to interview.

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ helps you buy your next home with confidence, knowing you have the right agent in your corner giving you smart advice on a topic you will seldom encounter in your lifetime - the purchase of a huge asset.

If you're getting ready to buy, and you want your agent decision to work for you, not against you, grab my Buyer Agent Game Plan™. It's the step-by-step blueprint I created so buyers like you don't have to guess, gamble or make big mistakes.

Smart buyers don't wait until it's too late -- they hire with a game plan because the best way to avoid buyer remorse is to spot the traps before you step in one.

ENROLL NOW

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This post is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: Consumers Are Not Getting The Full Truth When It Comes To New Real Estate Rules.

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I started a new series called Buyer Broker Agreements - Navigate Them Like A Boss, and I launched with a look at the three scenarios when you don’t have to sign an agreement to tour a home.

Spoiler alert! #3 is at open houses. Keep reading for the full discussion. 🏡💪

The Dirty Truth About Buyer Broker Agreements

Buyer Broker Agreements aka Buyer Agency Agreements aka Buyer Representation Agreements aka Buyer Contracts aka Touring Agreements were front and center in the settlement of last year’s commission reform class action lawsuits, suddenly thrusting a requirement on nearly all buyers to sign such an agreement before touring a property, even virtually.

A lot of agents either don’t understand these agreements or they are seizing the moment to take advantage of consumers who definitely aren’t familiar with the agreements. Whatever the case, agents are erroneously insisting on signed agreements in scenarios where they are not required, thereby forcing consumers into a representation agreement that isn’t in their best interests.

What Are Buyer Broker Agreements?

Buyer Broker Agreements are an agreement between you and your real estate professional outlining the services your real estate professional will provide you as a homebuyer, and what the agent will be paid for those services.

Hint, hint! “Paid for those services” is the key to two of our exceptions, but more on that in a minute.

Before the settlement of the lawsuit last year, nobody talked much about these agreements in most parts of the country. A few states were using the agreements and others had them available without much traction.

After the settlement, buyers are now required to sign agreements upfront that specify compensation in precise terms (no ranges, no “whatever the seller will pay”).

I believe the widespread requirement of these agreements early in the process is a good thing for consumers, but I also recognize that these agreements are a huge cultural shift in residential real estate, which led me to develop my Buyer Agent Game Plan™ and Agency Agreement Decoder™ courses, to help consumers bridge the knowledge gap to use these new agreements in ways that advance their best interests.

But are these agreements required in every instance? Let’s look at three exceptions.

Who Do The New Rules Apply To?

First, any terms coming out of the settlement of any lawsuit apply only to the parties to that lawsuit. In this case, NAR members and relevant MLS’s.

This means that non-NAR members are free to show listings not on the MLS without an agreement.

But don’t get too excited about this exception as a consumer because at the time of publication of this article most agents are NAR members.

Additionally, most properties that non-represented homebuyers will want to tour will be on the MLS.

How do I know that? Because without an agent, I know you'll be learning about new listings via Zillow, Redfin or an agent's website. Those listings are nearly without exception from the MLS due to technology reasons. Ask me offline how I know this, but my knowledge comes from co-founding one of the first companies to bring MLS listings to the web 25 years ago.

So assuming your target listings are on the MLS, the next possible exceptions to signing are listing agent-direct showings and open houses.

Going Directly To The Listing Agent For A Showing

Why is going direct an exception to the Buyer Broker Agreement requirement? Because listing agents are acting on the seller's behalf and showing the property with only the seller's interests guiding them.

The only agent you have to sign an agreement with is an agent who expects to act as your agent and get paid for it. This is not the listing agent, unless you agree to be represented by the listing agent, thereby creating a dual agency scenario, which in my humble opinion is never, never, ever a winning strategy for a homebuyer.

Dual agency by definition is when an agent or a team or even a whole brokerage under the same broker represent both the buyer and seller. This is a conflict of interest and is actually illegal in eight states! It's only legal in the rest of the states because agents have such a strong lobby.

Dual agency has bothered me since I joined this industry 25 years ago. I don't care how pure the motivations are on the agent side, there is simply no way a conflicted agent can represent both sides effectively.

If you were sued, would you hire the other guy's attorney to represent you? It's the same thing in real estate. Both parties have competing interests. You want the lowest price and the seller wants the highest. A dual agent becomes more of an arbiter than a zealous advocate.

Even different agents on the same team may be exchanging confidential information in the background. You just don't know. No, dual agency should be avoided by homebuyers like the plague.

A listing agent may ask you to sign a disclosure form explicitly explaining that they don't represent you, and this form does not obligate you to work with the agent. This is a simple disclosure explaining that they represent the seller and not you.

And because these agents don’t represent you, they should not share juicy details about the property, and they don’t owe you any duty of confidentiality, so proceed accordingly. Tour the property and if you want to pursue buying it, find your own independent zealous advocate to negotiate your best deal.

The Open House Exception

Open houses are a seller-sponsored event. For all the same reasons described in the listing agent exception section above, you should not be asked to sign a representation agreement to tour an open listing.

And read the small print on any otherwise benign-looking sign-in form, as well. Agents hosting an open house are working for the seller and should have no reason to expect you to pay them. Push back if they ask you to sign anything to the contrary.

And just as with the listing agent, do not expect confidentiality with information you disclose about yourself and don’t expect any information about the property beyond statistics. Tour the property, and if you want to pursue it, hire your own advocate.

So I Probably Have To Sign?

To recap the exceptions, no representation agreement is needed to tour off-MLS properties listed by non-NAR members and for touring properties with the seller's agent or that agent's representative.

Assuming you want to tour MLS listings and listing agent-direct or open houses aren’t viable options, you will need a Buyer Broker Agreement to tour listings, but I have good news for you!

These agreements are 100% negotiable and once you understand the agreements, you can negotiate a version that works for you. I’m going to talking about multiple versions of these agreements in coming weeks as part of my video series. Stay tuned or hop over and enroll in Agency Agreement Decoder™ and start learning right away with your self-paced on demand video lessons.

Final Thoughts

Buyer Broker Agreements might feel scary or limiting, but I’ve got all the insider tips to help you understand these rather simple agreements and strategies to make them work for you. Subscribe to this newsletter and my youtube channel and follow along as I roll out the good stuff.

Subscribe now

Related to this article:

• Real Talk Learning Buyer Success Series™

• Buyer Agent Game Plan™

• Agency Agreement Decoder™

• Find Me Agents

• Core Contract Terms Fast Action Checklist

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ was born in very early 2025 and has since grown into the Home Buyer Success Series™, along with Home Buyer Prep Plan™, Agency Agreement Decoder™ and Agent Accountability Playbook™.

The entire series is designed for today's homebuyers to help them optimize for their highest and best homebuying outcome, that is, buying homes for the price and terms they want, guided by skilled negotiators.

I created Buyer Agent Game Plan™ because I 100% believe that your agent choice can absolutely make or break the success of your purchase. There are no returns on that home once you close. You will want to get it right.

Smart buyers don't wing it. They interview. They ask hard questions. They evaluate unemotionally. They know the agent they hire can either protect their investment ... or walk them into a trap.

In Buyer Agent Game Plan™, you'll learn

• what type of agent makes the most sense for your specific situation

• who pays for your agent and a strategy for shifting the out of pocket cost to the seller

• the roles Zillow and discounted brokers can play in home buying

• why having your personal ducks in a row before picking an agent matters

• what questions to ask to uncover undesirable agent attributes, including commission bias

• a ridiculously simple strategy for conducting multiple interviews

• and a framework for comparing multiple agent candidates "apples to apples"

I also offer a corollary service called Find Me Agents to provide qualified agents in your local area for you to interview.

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ helps you buy your next home with confidence, knowing you have the right agent in your corner giving you smart advice on a topic you will seldom encounter in your lifetime - the purchase of a huge asset.

If you're getting ready to buy, and you want your agent decision to work for you, not against you, grab my Buyer Agent Game Plan™. It's the step-by-step blueprint I created so buyers like you don't have to guess, gamble or make big mistakes.

Smart buyers don't wait until it's too late -- they hire with a game plan because the best way to avoid buyer remorse is to spot the traps before you step in one.

ENROLL NOW

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, August 31, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, September 4, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

99.9% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty rule book image. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: Homebuyer Remorse Is On The Rise

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I concluded my series Hire Buyer Pants On Fire - Exposing Lies, Myths & Misconceptions That Lead To Bad Agent Hires. My latest video provides the antidote to agent lies, myths & misconceptions.

That antidote is better vetting of agents on the front end. 🏡💪

The Truth Nobody Tells You About Buying A Home

Here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re buying a home — It’s not the house that leads to regret. It’s the people you let guide you there. Most buyers assume they'll use an agent to buy their home -- and they should. But then what?

Many jump into that agent relationship without a strategy. No vetting. No planning. Just hoping they'll click. This is how otherwise smart, capable homebuyers wind up with buyer's remorse because every decision they make cascades into multiple other decisions.

How Most Buyers Pick An Agent

So let's talk about how most homebuyers end up with an agent. It's the #1 reason smart, capable buyers end up with buyer's remorse. They discover too late that their agent wasn't a strategist ... just a door opener.

Why does this happen? Because nobody teaches home buyers how to hire an agent. They trust who their friend used, or the one who called them first or the one with the most reviews. And it feels like the least important decision -- until it's the most important.

And when you skip the step of really vetting your agent, you're not choosing an agent. You're just hoping the one who showed up is the right fit.

But more likely than not, what you get is buyer remorse. You will look back and realize you missed red flags. Maybe you'll realize your agent wasn't putting you first or maybe was providing advice that wasn't specifically tailored to you and your unique circumstances. That one agent decision - the first domino - knocks everything else out of alignment - negotiations, inspections, re-negotiations, financing, timing, everything!

Why Does Nobody Teach Consumers How To Pick An Agent?

How come nobody teaches buyers how to hire an agent? Most people with any knowledge of how buyer agents work are buyer agents, and they want you to hire them. Why would they encourage you to ask questions and interview multiple agents? They wouldn't, but I don't think like other agents due in huge part due to my background protecting consumers in class action litigation.

My entire ethos is dedicated to protecting and advocating for consumers. As a former consumer fraud attorney turned real estate broker, I saw a big hole in the buyer education space, especially after commission reform lawsuits last year, and I took action to step in and fill it.

Do I think I'm some kind of super hero for doing this? Not exactly but my skill set is rare and I set out to use it to provide a valuable service to homebuyers.

I saw that most buyers don't vet their agents, likely because of the old perception that buyers didn't pay for their agents. That perception was never true, but comes into even stricter focus now with the emphasis on buyer-broker agreements signed early in the process.

The Dangers Of Dual Agency

I also saw confused buyers turning to listing agents and their teams to represent them, because they didn't know how else to get help under the new rules. Again, my consumer fraud background leads me to HATE dual agency for consumers and therefore homebuyers. I could not stand by and not do my part to help homebuyers better understand how to access great agents in a sea of often not so great agents.

Enter Buyer Agent Game Plan™

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ was born in very early 2025 and has since grown into the Home Buyer Success Series™, along with Home Buyer Prep Plan™, Agency Agreement Decoder™ and Agent Accountability Playbook™.

The entire series is designed for today's homebuyers to help them optimize for their highest and best homebuying outcome, that is, buying homes for the price and terms they want, guided by skilled negotiators.

I created Buyer Agent Game Plan™ because I 100% believe that your agent choice can absolutely make or break the success of your purchase. There are no returns on that home once you close. You will want to get it right.

Smart buyers don't wing it. They interview. They ask hard questions. They evaluate unemotionally. They know the agent they hire can either protect their investment ... or walk them into a trap.

In Buyer Agent Game Plan™, you'll learn

• what type of agent makes the most sense for your specific situation

• who pays for your agent and a strategy for shifting the out of pocket cost to the seller

• the roles Zillow and discounted brokers can play in home buying

• why having your personal ducks in a row before picking an agent matters

• what questions to ask to uncover undesirable agent attributes, including commission bias

• a ridiculously simple strategy for conducting multiple interviews

• and a framework for comparing multiple agent candidates "apples to apples"

I also offer a corollary service called Find Me Agents to provide qualified agents in your local area for you to interview.

Buyer Agent Game Plan™ helps you buy your next home with confidence, knowing you have the right agent in your corner giving you smart advice on a topic you will seldom encounter in your lifetime - the purchase of a huge asset.

If you're getting ready to buy, and you want your agent decision to work for you, not against you, grab my Buyer Agent Game Plan™. It's the step-by-step blueprint I created so buyers like you don't have to guess, gamble or make big mistakes.

Smart buyers don't wait until it's too late -- they hire with a game plan because the best way to avoid buyer remorse is to spot the traps before you step in one.

Final Thoughts

If you want to see how much damage the wrong agent can cause, watch my recent video, Industry Insider Exposes 5 Real Estate Agent Lies. Spoiler alert! You'll find a few of my thoughts on dual agency in that video, too!

This week’s video is not to be missed if you are getting ready to buy a home.

Watch this week's Tracy Talks Video here.

Related to this article:

• Buyer Agent Game Plan™

• Find Me Agents

• Get Ready Checklist Bundle

• Agent Interview Questions & Spreadsheet

• Industry Insider Exposes 5 Real Estate Agent Lies

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome.

My game plan blueprint describes exactly where to find good agents to interview and how to conduct multiple interviews efficiently. The program teaches you how to evaluate interview responses “apples to apples” and how to hire without burning bridges.

All of this translates to buyers hiring the right agent best-suited to their specific needs, resulting in happier homebuying experiences. Most educational content on this topic has been created by agents who want you to hire them to represent you, resulting in certain biases in the information presented. I developed this course for you, not me. I urge homebuyers to take advantage of my long career, love of buyers and consumer-forward focus to learn about finding, vetting and hiring great agents.

Don’t end up being one of those bitter people venting your frustrations on social media later because you recklessly signed on with the wrong agent and didn't course correct. Knowledge is power and this knowledge-heavy program was designed with buyers in mind by me, a longtime broker and consumer-focused attorney. Avoid the biggest homebuyer mistake of all time — hiring the wrong agent.

More at buyeragentgameplan.com. Buy your next home with confidence!

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

99.9% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty rule book image. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: Bad Agent Hires Lead To Bad Homebuying Experiences

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I continued my series Hire Buyer Pants On Fire - Exposing Lies, Myths & Misconceptions That Lead To Bad Agent Hires. My latest video explores questions to ask your buyer agent candidates to smoke out bad agents because sadly, there are a fair number of both in our low barrier to entry industry.

My suggested interview questions are not the fluffy questions you find on the web. In fact, I couldn’t find my Question #1 on any other list and I looked at dozens! Skip those lists and use mine, written by a longtime homebuyer advocate who wants to see you win. 🏡💪

How Many Agents?

One of the biggest mistakes I see homebuyers make is not interviewing multiple agents and sometimes not even interviewing the one they hire. This is crazy to me but I think this comes from the old thinking that if you don't have to pay the agent, why should you care how good they are. Hopefully with buyers now having to think about their agent and agent compensation upfront, they will also get serious about who they're hiring.

I recommend you interview at least three agents. Interviewing multiple agents will give you more insights into buying a home in your area than any Zillow article can. And you'll have more choices for picking the exact right agent for your unique situation.

But Tracy, where do I find three good agents that won't waste my time? I know that sounds like a tall order and I cover this topic in detail in my Buyer Agent Game Plan™ course, but let's just say for today that asking for recommendations on social media is a strategy with a lot of pitfalls and booby traps.

I can personally help you find qualified agents in your area and the agents I turn up will be highly qualified. Learn more about this service in my Learning Center.

But First

Before you even interview your first agent, you first need to think about your budget, your target neighborhoods, target property types and timeline for buying because one huge goal of interviewing is to find an agent with the expertise that YOU need, not the expertise that your best friend who recommended the agent thought was important.

An agent who is good for YOU is 10x better than just a good agent any day of the week.

In fact, getting ready to interview is so critical, I developed a special Get Ready Checklist Bundle to help buyers define their needs, resources and objectives. This is a bundle of resources designed to help buyers really think through what they have and what they need, to get them ready to interview agents and buy a home.

16 Core Questions To Ask Your Buyer Agent

I have a list of 16 core interview questions and want to touch on my favorite five today. Some of my questions are trick questions. All are designed to get to the heart of whether the agent is the right agent for you or whether they are trying to BS you.

Question #1 - Have you ever been fired by a client? This question gets right to the heart of how difficult an agent is to work with. Maybe there is a valid story behind the firing. You evaluate, but naturally this is a red flag if it happened.

I looked at dozens of interview question lists online and not one bothered to ask this question. Isn't this something you will want to know? What else is missing from those internet lists? Skip them and use mine, based on my long experience advocating for buyers.

Question #2 - How will you decide what properties I will see? Listen very carefully to the answer. This is actually a trick question. The agent should not be deciding what properties you see. You should be deciding. Be very suspicious about any agent who gets too enthusiastic about telling you how it's "gonna be."

What you need for your best homebuying outcome is for you to be defining your needs with the agent finding and forwarding all matching properties for you to pick what you see. You don't want an agent who holds back lower priced properties because the commission is lower.

And this goes right to the heart of being ready, because if you’re not, you risk losing control of the process and an aggressive agent will step into the void and start telling you what to see and buy. This is highly unlikely to lead to a happy homebuying outcome for you.

Question #3 - How do you stay updated on local market trends? Notice the question is NOT whether you stay updated, but about the specifics of how. If an agent cannot describe a workflow for staying updated, this is a big red flag.

A related or follow up question is to ask whether your target neighborhood is a buyers market or a sellers market. If the agent can't answer this question, this is another big red flag because the answer literally dictates your offer and negotiation strategy.

Question #4 - What are your opinions about dual agency? Be wary of any agent who thinks dual agency is okay. That is a sign of an agent who doesn't value your success over his or her commission.

Even if the candidate you're interviewing is not part of the listing agent's team, blessing dual agency in any capacity might mean the agent doesn't have the right mindset to rigorously protect your interests and negotiation position. I talk more about dual agency in my recent video covering 5 lies agents tell homebuyers.

Question #5 - How will you make my offers stand out? Even in a robust buyers market where buyers are calling the shots, you still want an agent who has strategies to help you put your best foot forward. If you're competing against even one other buyer and your offer is sloppy, the listing agent will be telling the seller you and your agent will be hard to work with to close the deal.

Sellers care a lot about closing deals and the sooner the better, so pick an agent who understands the importance of making you look good and can articulate sample strategies to do the same.

Big Consequences When Skipping Interviews

I want to emphasize the importance of going through the exercise of identifying and interviewing multiple agents. If you don't, you lose the insights of several local experts and knowledge that comes from a diversity of answers. You don't want just any agent. You want the right agent who understands you, your buying objectives and is a hyper local expert in your target neighborhood.

There is just such a unicorn out there. It's up to you to find and identify that person. A bad agent hire can lead to devastating consequences, from losing out on homes you love to overpaying for mediocre homes. Home buyer remorse is real and there has been an uptick in recent years. I don't want this for you and I'm sure you don't want it for yourself. Do your homework upfront and set yourself up for success.

Final Thoughts

Those are my five favorite core interview questions from my list of 16. Get the rest of the list in my Fast Action Workbook titled Agent Interview Questions & Spreadsheet. In that resource I walk you through setting up the interviews, the questions to ask and a spreadsheet and strategy for scoring candidate responses.

Does interviewing multiple agents sound intimidating? Next week I’m going to describe a ridiculously simple system for finding agents, picking candidates to interview, scheduling & juggling interviews and evaluating results.

This week’s video is not to be missed if you are getting ready to buy a home.

Leave me a comment on the video. I’m very interested to hear about your own experiences with buyer agents.

Watch this week's Tracy Talks Video here.

Related to this article:

• Buyer Agent Game Plan™

• Find Me Agents

• Get Ready Checklist Bundle

• Agent Interview Questions & Spreadsheet

• Industry Insider Exposes 5 Real Estate Agent Lies

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome.

My game plan blueprint describes exactly where to find good agents to interview and how to conduct multiple interviews efficiently. The program teaches you how to evaluate interview responses “apples to apples” and how to hire without burning bridges.

All of this translates to buyers hiring the right agent best-suited to their specific needs, resulting in happier homebuying experiences. Most educational content on this topic has been created by agents who want you to hire them to represent you, resulting in certain biases in the information presented. I developed this course for you, not me. I urge homebuyers to take advantage of my long career, love of buyers and consumer-forward focus to learn about finding, vetting and hiring great agents.

Don’t end up being one of those bitter people venting your frustrations on social media later because you recklessly signed on with the wrong agent and didn't course correct. Knowledge is power and this knowledge-heavy program was designed with buyers in mind by me, a longtime broker and consumer-focused attorney. Avoid the biggest homebuyer mistake of all time — hiring the wrong agent.

More at buyeragentgameplan.com. Buy your next home with confidence!

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Ignore These 5 Things On A Home Tour - Don't let cosmetic bells and whistles distract you from things you cannot change about a property.

Buying In A Low-Inventory Market - Buyers have to be very strategic and ready to go when competing with other buyers in a seller's market. Don't miss these tips!

Don't Fall Prey To Wire Fraud - wire fraud is real. Be ready to recognize it and know your best practices to avoid it.

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

99.9% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty rule book image. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Did A Smart Friend Forward This Newsletter To You?

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: Commission Reform Lawsuits One Year Later

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I tackle the topic of the biggest lie in real estate — free buyer agents. This is a lie that has been perpetrated for decades and has many homebuyers worried that after the commission lawsuits they now have to come out of pocket in escrow to pay their agent.

In my video, I explain what hasn’t changed with buyer agent commissions after the lawsuits, what has changed, and what should change (but hasn’t so far). I am a longtime broker, former consumer fraud class action attorney and zealous buyer advocate. I understand the lawsuits better than most agents and brokers and I want to make sure homebuyers everywhere understand the new rules and how they’ve rolled out in practical application. Hop over to youtube and get my take.

In the video I cover:

• the biggest change after the lawsuits and how it impacts homebuyers

• who pays the buyer’s real estate agent now

• buyer responsibilities under the new buyer broker agreements

• why dual agency is bad for buyers

• changes to MLS rules after the lawsuits

• the biggest change that isn’t happening, but should be

This video is not to be missed if you are buying a home in the post-lawsuit era.

Leave me a comment on the video. I’m very interested in your reaction to the lawsuits.

Watch this week's Tracy Talks Video here.

Related to this article:

• Countdown To Chaos (episode 1): 🗞 Real Estate Is About To Get Very Messy

• Countdown To Chaos (episode 2): 🗞 Will Home Buyer Agents Be Obsolete?

• Countdown To Chaos (episode 3): 🗞 New Mandatory Buyer Agreements

• Countdown To Chaos (episode 4): 🗞 Four Compelling Reasons Sellers Should Continue To Pay Buyer Agent Fees

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome.

My game plan blueprint describes exactly where to find good agents to interview and how to conduct multiple interviews efficiently. The program teaches you how to evaluate interview responses “apples to apples” and how to hire without burning bridges.

All of this translates to buyers hiring the right agent best-suited to their specific needs, resulting in happier homebuying experiences. Most educational content on this topic has been created by agents who want you to hire them to represent you, resulting in certain biases in the information presented. I developed this course for you, not me. I urge homebuyers to take advantage of my long career, love of buyers and consumer-forward focus to learn about finding, vetting and hiring great agents.

Don’t end up being one of those bitter people venting your frustrations on social media later because you recklessly signed on with the wrong agent and didn't course correct. Knowledge is power and this knowledge-heavy program was designed with buyers in mind by me, a longtime broker and consumer-focused attorney. Avoid the biggest homebuyer mistake of all time — hiring the wrong agent.

More at buyeragentgameplan.com. Buy your next home with confidence!

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

99.9% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty rule book image. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: Agents Tell Some Whoppers To Unsuspecting Homebuyers

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I tackle the topic of lies agents tell homebuyers.

And there isn’t just one lie. I was able to come up with five off the top of my head, and probably could have added more if I really wanted to dwell on this depressing topic.

Of the five lies, one is the sneakiest, one is very surprising in my own humble opinion, and one I call the “biggest disservice” to buyers in the history of real estate. Big statements for sure, but these lies are a big problem.

And sneaky lie #1 is big in the news right now with Compass’ name all over it.

Sometimes the lies come from the buyer’s own agent and sometimes they come from the listing agent. Buyers can’t control who the listing agent is, but they very much can control who their own buyer agent is.

Of course I wouldn’t hit you with the big problem and no fix. The first line of defense is to be aware of the lies and on guard. The second line of defense is to very, very carefully vet your buyer agent and put that person in charge of managing the listing agent.

To learn more about the five lies, watch my YouTube video. To learn more about the fix, check out my Buyer Agent Game Plan™ course, a course carefully designed to provide you with a step-by-step program to find, vet and hire the exact right agent for your unique situation. Don’t get stuck with a lying agent!

Homebuyers just don’t do enough to vet the agent they hire, and all too often end up with big cases of buyer remorse.

Homebuyers in my experience simply fail to interview agents. Too often they get an introduction, show up and start acting like a client.

This vetting problem combined with the commission changes last year from the class action litigation caused me to develop an educational course I call Buyer Agent Game Plan™, designed specifically to lay out a blueprint for finding, vetting and hiring buyer agents efficiently and without a lot of hassle, with the extra goal of finding the exact right agent for your specific circumstances.

I understand that many people are not going to like the idea of having to take the time to educate themselves and go through the hassle of interviewing multiple agent candidates, but as everybody seems to know and even begrudgingly acknowledge on social media, good agents have the ability to lower homebuying anxiety and save money by finding deals or negotiating deals in ways to benefit buyers and their bottom line, so honestly, why wouldn't you spend a few bucks and a few hours to educate yourself before committing to an expensive agent and more expensive home purchase?

And with buyers now spending time thinking about the cost of a buyers agent thanks to the commission lawsuits, the time is ripe to introduce more intentionality into the agent hiring process.

My game plan blueprint describes exactly where to find good agents to interview and how to conduct multiple interviews efficiently. The program teaches you how to evaluate interview responses “apples to apples” and how to hire without burning bridges (in case you need that agent later).

All of this translates to buyers hiring the right agent best-suited to their specific needs, resulting in buying homes with confidence and less hassle. Most educational content on this topic has been created by agents who want you to hire them to represent you. I urge home buyers to take advantage of my long career, love of buyers and consumer-forward focus to learn about finding, vetting, hiring and supervising great agents.

Don’t end up being one of those bitter people venting your frustrations on social media later because you recklessly signed on with the wrong agent and didn't course correct. Knowledge is power and this knowledge-heavy program was designed with buyers in mind by me, a longtime broker and consumer-focused attorney. Avoid the devastating home buyer mistake of hiring the wrong agent.

Watch this week's Tracy Talks Video outlining the five lies here.

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome. More at buyeragentgameplan.com. Buy your next home with confidence

Have You Checked Out My New Learning Center?

I’ve been very concerned about recent developments in residential real estate, and have been a vocal critic of the class action lawsuits last year because I think they did a huge disservice to consumers.

I’ve also been struck by the sheer vitriol of consumer sentiment against real estate agents in social media comments regarding the lawsuits. I’ve concluded that there is a huge lack of understanding how to leverage agents for positive outcomes. I’ve also concluded that too many consumers hire the first agent they talk to without doing any kind of homework. What could possibly go wrong with that plan??

But I’m not one to just sit around and complain. I jumped into action and developed my Learning Center for consumers. Content developed in the center to date includes my new signature course - Buyer Agent Game Plan™, a step-by-step strategic plan for home buyers to navigate the new rules in residential real estate, starting with hiring the right agent for their circumstances.

I also offer various fast action checklists and workbooks for buyers. Courses regarding Transaction Readiness, the new Buyer Rep Agreements and Supervising Buyer Agents were recently added.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about CMAs. They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, July 3, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, June 10, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, June 13, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

90% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty headline image and my cute bot friend in my video thumbnail. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: People Complaining Mightily About Real Estate Agents

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I tackle the hot topic of why people complain so mightily about real estate agents.

I read so very many consumer comments on social media during the recent commission class action lawsuits and I was shocked by the pure vitriol of most of the messages. People popped in occasionally to say that they had a great experience with their agent, but most comments were shockingly negative.

I always knew there was some negative sentiment against real estate agents, but I also knew how low the barriers to entry are and how many bad agents do exist, collecting the same high commissions that I collect. I don't think every agent needs to have a legal degree like I have, but lots don't have any degree or relevant formal education, and aren't closely monitored by brokers.

Yet I also know from experience and the scattered social media comments that good agents exist, and they are worth every penny of their generous commission.

My final conclusion throughout the pendency of the commission lawsuits evolved into realizing that home buyers just don’t do enough to vet the agent they hire. Home buyers in my experience simply fail to interview agents. Too often they get an introduction, show up and start being treated like a client.

This vetting problem combined with the commission changes last year from the class action litigation caused me to develop an educational course I call Buyer Agent Game Plan, designed specifically to lay out a blueprint for finding, vetting, hiring and supervising buyer agents efficiently and without a lot of hassle, with the extra goal of finding the exact right agent for your specific circumstances.

Look, I understand that many people are not going to like the idea of having to take the time to educate themselves and go through the hassle of interviewing multiple agent candidates, but as everybody seems to know and even begrudgingly acknowledge on social media, good agents have the ability to lower homebuying anxiety and save you money on your purchase by finding you a deal or negotiating deals in ways to benefit you and your bottom line, so honestly, why wouldn't you spend a few bucks and a few hours to educate yourself before committing to an expensive agent and more expensive home purchase?

And with buyers now spending time thinking about the cost of a buyers agent thanks to the commission lawsuits, the time is ripe to introduce more intentionality into the agent hiring process.

Why would a buyer agent create a program helping you hire buyer agents? Who better to write a program like this than somebody who has worked with a lot of buyers? And of course I feel like I can successfully compete as a candidate for local clients, but I am also 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 buyers 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 and this is a core part of my framework. So work the program and interview me if you want, but I will never pressure you to hire or even interview me. I challenge you to find another program like this anywhere. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 BUYERS, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲.

My game plan blueprint describes exactly where to find good agents to interview and how to conduct multiple interviews efficiently. The program teaches you how to evaluate interview responses “apples to apples” and how to hire without burning bridges (in case you need that agent later). The program also explains the new buyer representation agreements and what to watch out for, and then teaches you how to evaluate your agent’s performance under the contract, and replace the agent if needed, even deep into escrow.

All of this translates to buyers hiring the right agent best suited to their specific needs, resulting in buying homes with confidence and less hassle. Most educational content on this topic has been created by agents who want you to hire them to represent you. I urge home buyers to take advantage of my long career, love of buyers and consumer-forward focus to learn about finding, vetting, hiring and supervising great agents.

Don’t end up being one of those bitter people venting your frustrations on social media later because you recklessly signed on with the wrong agent and didn't course correct. Knowledge is power and this knowledge program was designed with buyers in mind by me, a longtime broker and consumer-focused attorney. Avoid the devastating home buyer mistake of hiring the wrong agent.

Watch this week's Tracy Talks Video on better homebuying experiences with better buyer agent vetting here.

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome. The video below describes the 8-module, self-paced course I created to help you find, vet, hire and supervise your buyer agent. Buy your next home with confidence!

Have You Checked Out My New Learning Center?

I’ve been very concerned about recent developments in residential real estate, and have been a vocal critic of the class action lawsuits last year because I think they did a huge disservice to consumers.

I’ve also been struck by the sheer vitriol of consumer sentiment against real estate agents in social media comments regarding the lawsuits. I’ve concluded that there is a huge lack of understanding how to leverage agents for positive outcomes. I’ve also concluded that too many consumers hire the first agent they talk to without doing any kind of homework. What could possibly go wrong with that plan??

But I’m not one to just sit around and complain. I jumped into action and developed my Learning Center for consumers. Content developed in the center to date includes my new signature course - Buyer Agent Game Plan, a step-by-step strategic plan for home buyers to navigate the new rules in residential real estate, starting with hiring the right agent for their circumstances.

I also offer various fast action checklists and workbooks for buyers, including a suite of checklists to determine readiness to buy.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about CMAs. They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, June 15, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

90% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty headline image and my cute bot friend in my video thumbnail. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: AI Is Cute And All, But…

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I tackle the hot topic of AI in real estate, specifically as a potential replacement for an expensive buyer agent.

It is indisputable that AI is having a moment! And it’s whip smart! Or is it? Truthfully, AI is only as smart as the programmer who built and trained it, and the data queried. Unfortunately, for competitive reasons, you will likely never know most details about the programmer or data.

So is AI ready to be your buyer agent? It can certainly mine listings data for you, but in my experience, most people really want to do that themselves, and who knows better than you what matters in your next home?

And yes, I used AI to create that image. 🤓

But what about all the other services a buyer agent might offer you? Can AI surpass humans (or even stand in) in that regard?

My personal opinion as a multi-decade real estate professional and real estate tech company founder is that AI is plenty ready to co-pilot with an experienced agent, but definitely is not ready to conduct your transaction alone, without professional oversight. At this point in time, people who don't buy and sell homes on the regular just will not know if AI's output makes sense or is simply an AI delusion.

But I'm not saying there isn't a place for AI in your home buying journey, and I share a tips and tools in my brand new report - AI To Buy A Home? The report is available in my Learning Center.

As you use AI products, keep in mind that platform owners will want something from you to use their AI products, most likely to connect you with one of their agents. Be careful! Helpful digital tools do not necessarily translate to good agents.

For example, Zillow might knock your socks off with its AI tools, but the recommended agents pay to be recommended, and may not know the first thing about the tools that impressed you in the first place. Should that matter? You decide, but be aware there will probably be a disconnect between your expectations and the live agents offered.

Also, I highly recommend you create a throwaway email account and adopt a fake name to use the tools to protect your identity and financial privacy. I discuss more about this my report linked above.

I’d love to hear about your own experiences with AI and real estate. I’m always interested in boots on the ground feedback. Drop me a note here.

Watch this week's Tracy Talks Video on AI and home buying here.

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome. The video below describes the 8-module, self-paced course I created to help you find, vet, hire and supervise your buyer agent. Buy your next home with confidence!

Have You Checked Out My New Learning Center?

I’ve been very concerned about recent developments in residential real estate, and have been a vocal critic of the class action lawsuits last year because I think they did a huge disservice to consumers.

I’ve also been struck by the sheer vitriol of consumer sentiment against real estate agents in social media comments regarding the lawsuits. I’ve concluded that there is a huge lack of understanding how to leverage agents for positive outcomes. I’ve also concluded that too many consumers hire the first agent they talk to without doing any kind of homework. What could possibly go wrong with that plan??

But I’m not one to just sit around and complain. I jumped into action and developed my Learning Center for consumers. Content developed in the center to date includes a new course - Buyer Agent Game Plan, a step-by-step strategic plan for home buyers to navigate the new rules in residential real estate, starting with hiring the right agent for their circumstances.

I also offer various fast action checklists and workbooks for buyers, including a suite of checklists to determine readiness to buy.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about CMAs. They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, May 11, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

90% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty headline image and my cute bot friend in my video thumbnail. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: Buyer Agents Are Overpaid!

Or at least that’s what so very many social media commenters are saying! In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I tackle the hot topic of home buyer agent compensation. The naysayers claim all the listings are online anyway, so what good is the buyer agent anymore?

Except that suddenly all the listings are not online. Compass is withholding listings and just launched a billboard campaign inviting sellers to join the cool kids in keeping their listings private. It’s a bad move for consumers, as explained in my video.

But buyer agents do more than provide access to listings. In fact, good agents offer at least 105 services for home buyers, falling into roughly six categories. Find my complete list in my Learning Center at this link.

Regarding all the naysayers. I drop a big fat conclusion about them at the end of the video that will probably surprise you. Have a look and let me know! Find the video here.

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome. The video below describes the 8-module, self-paced course I created to help you find, vet, hire and supervise your buyer agent. Buy your next home with confidence!

Have You Checked Out My New Learning Center?

I’ve been very concerned about recent developments in residential real estate. I’ve been a vocal critic of the class action lawsuits because I think they did a huge disservice to consumers.

I’ve also been struck by the sheer vitriol of consumer sentiment against real estate agents in social media comments regarding the lawsuits. I’ve concluded that there is a huge lack of understanding how to leverage agents for positive outcomes. I’ve also concluded that too many consumers hire the first agent they talk to without doing any kind of homework. What could possibly go wrong with that plan??

But I’m not one to just sit around and complain. I jumped into action and developed my Learning Center for consumers in my local market and beyond. Content developed in the center to date includes a new course - Buyer Agent Game Plan, a step-by-step strategic plan for home buyers to navigate the new rules in residential real estate, starting with hiring the right agent for their circumstances.

I also offer various fast action checklists and workbooks for buyers, including a suite of checklists to determine readiness to buy.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about CMAs. They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, April 20, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• April 24, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. No AI here. And if I add any, I will tell you. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind This Week: People Think Home Buyer Agents Are So Extra

Lots of youtubers want you to believe you can buy a house without an agent. And they might even have a course to teach you how to do that, but is buying a house like buying a blender on amazon? Hardly. Buying a home is a complicated legal transaction with expensive ramifications at every step, and unlike a blender from amazon, there are no returns and no exchanges.

In my latest youtube video, I walk through seven reasons a good local agent adds so much value to the process. These aren’t seven fluffy “nice to haves.” These are critical components for a successful transaction and investment, including that local agents live and breathe the comps, and why you can’t count on the list price as any indication of “value.” Watch the video and let me know which of the seven surprised you.

Despite my list, I know some people will still be intent on going it alone without an agent, and for them I have a list of 111 things you better be ready to do, and the list is not for the faint of heart. Contrast that with the nice breezy lists you'll find on youtube titled 7 steps to buy without any agent. But hey, my list could also be called "8 steps." My list just happens to provide the real list behind the breezy clickbait list.

And for everybody else who understands the importance of having an agent zealously advocating for you in your home purchase, use the list to supervise the agent you hire.

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome. The video below describes the 8-module, self-paced course I created to help you find, vet, hire and supervise your buyer agent. Buy your next home with confidence!

Have You Checked Out My New Learning Center?

I’ve been very concerned about recent developments in residential real estate. I’ve been a vocal critic of the class action lawsuits because I think they did a huge disservice to consumers.

I’ve also been struck by the sheer vitriol of consumer sentiment against real estate agents in social media comments regarding the lawsuits. I’ve concluded that there is a huge lack of understanding how to leverage agents for positive outcomes. I’ve also concluded that too many consumers hire the first agent they talk to without doing any kind of homework. What could possibly go wrong with that plan??

But I’m not one to just sit around and complain. I jumped into action and developed my Learning Center for consumers in my local market and beyond. Content developed in the center to date includes a new course - Buyer Agent Game Plan, a step-by-step strategic plan for home buyers to navigate the new rules in residential real estate, starting with hiring the right agent for their circumstances.

I also offer various fast action checklists and workbooks for buyers, including a suite of checklists to determine readiness to buy.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about CMAs. They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, April 20, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• April 24, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. No AI here. And if I add any, I will tell you. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals

What’s On My Mind: Buyers Are Wondering About Skipping Expensive Representation

Those Darned Lawsuits

Regular readers will recall my series last summer called Countdown To Chaos regarding the practice changes in August for residential real estate. If you missed the series, episode 1 can be found here.

August came and went, but with interest rates being what they have been for the last year, there wasn’t a ton of real estate activity and I suspect a lot of people still don’t know about the changes.

Can Home Buyers Buy Without An Agent?

But home buyers who do know are asking themselves whether they can skip the agent and skip the hassle of the new rules, along with saving themselves a chunk of change.

In my video, I outlined five scenarios where a home buyer might get away with skipping the agent, but spoiler alert! I conclude by saying that I, as somebody who could easily skip an agent due to my decades of experience, just wouldn’t do it if I was buying in an area I’m not 100% familiar with. If I wouldn’t, should you? Watch the video and let me know your thoughts.

Introducing My New Learning Center

I’ve been very concerned about recent developments in residential real estate. I’ve been a vocal critic of the class action lawsuits because I think they did a huge disservice to consumers.

I’ve also been struck by the sheer vitriol of consumer sentiment against real estate agents in social media comments regarding the lawsuits. I’ve concluded that there is a huge lack of understanding how to leverage agents for positive outcomes. I’ve also concluded that too many consumers hire the first agent they talk to without doing any kind of homework. What could possibly go wrong with that plan??

But I’m not one to just sit around and complain. I jumped into action and developed my Learning Center for consumers in my local market and beyond. Content developed in the center to date includes a new course - Buyer Agent Game Plan, a step-by-step strategic plan for home buyers to navigate the new rules in residential real estate, starting with hiring the right agent for their circumstances.

I also offer various fast action checklists and workbooks for buyers, including a suite of checklists to determine readiness to buy.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about CMAs. They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

Unsubscribe?

If I missed the mark for you this week, I hope you'll give me one more shot, but if that won't work for you, here is an unsubscribe link.

Share My Work?

If you liked my column this week, please share with others so we can grow our community and I can get more feedback on what people want to read. Use this link to refer others. And just to make it fun, there are referral rewards. Let’s grow a community!

Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

• Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, April 20, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

• April 24, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT

• Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

• Have We Met? Read my bio

• My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL

• My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team

• Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary

• LinkedIn - real estate news & insights

• Facebook - local real estate news & insights

• Instagram - local real estate news & insights

• Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊

• Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

100% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. No AI here. And if I add any, I will tell you. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Trendline. Let’s grow a community!

Contact Tracy

Business Referrals