Real Buyer Broker Agreements — Real Lessons
Under the new homebuying rules, every buyer must sign a written 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 before touring homes. But what does that really look like in practice?
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🎬 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.
Related to this article:
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.
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.
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!
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Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT
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Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT
Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.
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Have We Met? Read my bio
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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.
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Until Next Week…
Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!
