What is a buyer representation agreement?
A buyer representation (or buyer agency) agreement sets out what a buyer's agent will do and how they will be paid. In many markets buyers are now expected to sign one before touring homes, so it pays to have clear, plain-English terms.
This template covers the area and type of property, the term, exclusive or non-exclusive representation, the agent's services and duties of loyalty and confidentiality, what happens if the buyer likes a home the same brokerage is selling, the compensation and how any seller-paid amount is credited, a protection period, an optional retainer, the buyer's responsibilities and ending early.
- Best for
- A home buyer working with a buyer's agent or brokerage
- Signed by
- Buyer and agent (with job title), initialled on every page
- Options
- Exclusive or non-exclusive; seller-paid amounts credited or refused; optional retainer
- Length
- 2-3 pages
When to Use a buyer representation agreement
- Signing up a new buyer client before the first viewing
- Relocation buyers who need an agent to search on their behalf
- Investors buying in a defined area or price range
- Agreeing a flat fee instead of a percentage
- Recording consent rules for in-house sales
What You Fill In
17 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: buyer, buyer's agent.
1 The parties
- Date of this agreement*
- Buyer name(s)*
- Buyer's address*
- Brokerage or agency*
- Responsible agent*
- Agent or brokerage licence number (optional)
2 The search
- Area and type of property*
- Price range (optional)
- Agreement starts*
- Agreement ends*
- Exclusive or not* exclusive: during the term the Buyer will not engage another agent to represent them in buying a property of the kind described · non-exclusive: the Buyer may also engage other agents, and the Brokerage is paid only on a purchase of a property it introduced or helped the Buyer buy
3 Payment
- How the agent is paid*
- Payments from the seller or listing agent* Any amount the Brokerage receives from the seller or the listing agent for the purchase counts towards the compensation above, and the Buyer pays only any shortfall. The Brokerage will not receive more than the compensation above. · The Buyer pays the compensation above directly, and the Brokerage will not accept any payment from the seller or the listing agent for the purchase.
- Protection period after the agreement ends (days)*
- Upfront retainer (optional)
- Currency*
4 Other terms
- Governing law*
5 Who signs
- Buyer signature and date, initials on every page · The person or people looking to buy. If buying together, send a copy to each buyer to sign.
- Buyer's agent signature and date, job title, initials on every page · The agent signing for the brokerage.
What the buyer representation agreement Covers
- Appointment
- What the Brokerage will do
- Acting for both sides
- Compensation
- Buyer's part
- Ending early
- General
Using the buyer representation agreement, step by step
1 Name the parties
Enter the buyer, the brokerage and agent, and any licence number.
2 Define the search
Describe the area and type of property, an optional price range, the dates and whether the arrangement is exclusive.
3 Set the pay
Write the compensation clearly, choose how payments from the seller side are handled, and set the protection period and any retainer.
4 Send for signature
Add the governing law and send it to the buyer. Both initial every page and sign at the end.
Tips Before You Send It
- Write the compensation as a clear amount or rate — vague wording causes disputes at closing.
- Rules on buyer-agent agreements and pay have changed in some markets; check what your area and listing service now require.
- Agree what happens with in-house listings before it comes up, not after the buyer has fallen for a home.
- Keep a copy of the signed agreement with your purchase documents in Files.
Sign It Online In Minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. VergeHR builds the PDF with every signature, date and initials box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in Files and emailed to everyone.
Buyer representation agreement: frequently asked questions
Does the buyer always pay the agent?
Not necessarily. You choose whether any amount the brokerage receives from the seller or listing agent is credited against the compensation (so the buyer pays only any shortfall) or whether the buyer pays directly and the brokerage accepts nothing from the seller side.
Can the agent act for both buyer and seller?
Only where the law allows it and with the informed written consent of both, on the terms the law requires. Otherwise the agent helps the buyer find other representation for that property.
What if no purchase happens?
No compensation is payable unless a purchase completes, except where it fails because the buyer wrongfully refuses to complete. Any retainer is dealt with as the agreement sets out.
Is an e-signed buyer agency agreement valid?
Electronic signatures are generally accepted for ordinary agreements like a buyer agency agreement in the US (ESIGN Act and UETA), the UK, the EU (eIDAS) and Canada, though local rules can add requirements. VergeHR keeps an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion with the signed PDF.