Do you really need to sign a buyer agreement before you look at houses in Charlotte? Yes, if you want an agent to take you inside. Since August 17, 2024, any agent who belongs to our MLS has to have a written agreement with you before touring a home, in person or by live video. In North Carolina, that written agreement has to be an agency agreement. It isn’t a trap, and it doesn’t have to be a long commitment. Here’s what it is, what it says, and how I handle it with my buyers.
What Changed in 2024
After the National Association of REALTORS® settlement, the rules changed nationwide. Agents who work with buyers now need a signed, written agreement before the first showing. Before that, a lot of buyers toured homes for weeks without ever talking about how their agent got paid or what the agent was actually doing for them.
North Carolina added its own twist. Our Real Estate Commission says a licensed broker can’t be a “non-agent.” If I’m working with you, I’m either representing you or representing the seller. So the written agreement you sign before a tour is a buyer agency agreement, not just a permission slip.
What the Agreement Actually Says
A buyer agreement in North Carolina has to cover a few things in plain writing:
- How long it lasts. It must have a definite end date. It can’t just run forever.
- What I’ll do for you. Represent your interests, not the seller’s.
- How I’m paid. The fee is spelled out up front, as a specific amount or percentage. Fees aren’t set by law, and they’re negotiable.
- Exclusive or not. Some agreements are exclusive. Others aren’t. We’ll talk about which one fits you.
- Fair housing language and my license number, which are required.
It Doesn’t Have to Be a Big Commitment
This is the part most buyers don’t know. A touring agreement can be limited to a single property, a single day or a short window. If you’re just starting out and want to see one house this weekend, we can do that. If we work well together, we can put a longer agreement in place later.
Who Pays the Buyer Agent?
There’s no set amount a seller advertises up front anymore. When you’re ready to write an offer, my compensation is part of that offer, right alongside the price, seller concessions and anything else you’re asking for. Like everything else in the offer, it’s negotiable.
Keep in mind, anything you ask a seller to pay comes off their bottom line. If a home has been on the market for 60 or 90 days, you may be the only offer, so you have more room to ask. If it’s day one on the market and you’re competing, we have to weigh your whole offer against the others, just like before. We’ll go over the numbers together before you write it, so nothing surprises you at closing.
What You Can Do Without Signing Anything
- Get listings. I can set up an MLS search and send you homes as they hit the market. No agreement needed.
- Ask questions. About neighborhoods, prices, timing or how the process works.
- Talk to a lender. I’m happy to refer you to lenders I trust. (If you’re wondering what order to do things in, read Agent or Lender First?)
- Go to an open house. Just know the agent sitting there represents the seller, not you.
Why It Protects You
When you sign a buyer agency agreement, I owe you loyalty, confidentiality and full disclosure. That means what you tell me about your budget, your timeline or how much you love a house stays with me. And you know exactly what you’re getting and what it costs before we ever step inside a house.
How I Handle It
I walk through every line of the agreement with you before you sign it. No rushing, no fine print you didn’t see. If something doesn’t feel right, we talk about it and adjust. My goal is for you to feel good about who’s on your side before we go look at your future home.
Ready to get started? Start your home search here. Tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll start sending you homes today. No agreement needed for that part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a buyer agreement to see a house in Charlotte?
If an agent is taking you inside the home, in person or on a live video tour, yes. That’s been required since August 17, 2024.
Can I get listings without signing?
Yes. I can send you homes without an agreement. You only need one before we tour.
Is the buyer agent’s fee negotiable?
Yes. Fees aren’t set by law. They’re agreed between you and your agent and written into the agreement.
Can I sign for just one house?
Yes. A touring agreement can be limited to one property or a short period of time.
This article is general information about North Carolina real estate practice, not legal advice. If you have legal questions about a contract, talk to a North Carolina real estate attorney.