Do I Have to Sign an Agreement Before a Realtor Shows Me Homes in Pensacola?

With me, yes. Before I show you homes, we sign a written buyer broker agreement. It spells out what I do for you, how long we work together and how I'm paid, and every term is agreed between us. I walk you through it before you sign, and you can ask anything.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre.

• What I do for you. The search, the tours, the offer, the negotiation and the path to closing.
• How long we work together. The start date and the end date.
• How I'm paid. Written out in plain terms, and agreed between us.

Read every line. If something isn't clear, ask me to explain it before you sign.

The agreement tells you exactly what you're getting, and what it costs, before you start. That means no surprises later. Written buyer agreements before touring homes are now common practice, and I like them for a simple reason: they make the relationship clear from day one.

Pre-approval comes first too. I ask every buyer to be pre-approved before showings start. My post on pre-qualified versus pre-approved explains why.

1. What will you do for me? Ask for the steps, from search to keys.
2. How long does the agreement last? Know the dates.
3. How are you paid? Ask for it in plain numbers, written in the agreement.
4. What if my plans change? Orders and job moves happen. Ask how that's handled.
5. Who do I call with questions? Know how and when you'll hear from your agent.

Any agent should be glad to answer these questions. For legal questions about the agreement itself, a real estate attorney is the right person to ask.

A free buyer consultation first, then an MLS search set up around what you want, tours, offer strategy, negotiation, inspection coordination and closing support. If you're using a VA loan, I check each home for known VA property issues before you write an offer, so you can catch them before you spend money on an inspection or appraisal. My page for military and VA buyers explains more. I work with buyers in English and Spanish.

• Signing without reading. Take the time you need.
• Not asking how the agent is paid. It should be clear and in writing.
• Not knowing the dates. Know when the agreement starts and ends.
• Touring before pre-approval. You risk falling for a home you can't buy.
• Staying quiet about questions. A good agent wants you to ask.

Here's an example of how I lay out the steps. It shows the process, and it isn't a real client's story.

• The consultation. We talk about your goals, your timeline and how buying works here.
• Pre-approval. You meet with a lender, so you know your budget.
• The agreement. I walk you through it line by line, and you sign when you're ready.
• The search. New listings that fit reach you as soon as they go live.
• Tours. In person, or by video if you can't be here yet.
• The offer. Written with you, and negotiated through closing.

My post on what happens at a buyer consultation covers that first meeting.

Do I have to sign an agreement before you show me homes?

Yes. I ask every buyer to sign a written buyer broker agreement before showings start, and I walk you through it first.

What does a buyer broker agreement cover?

What I do for you, how long we work together and how I'm paid. Every term is agreed between us.

Can I ask questions before I sign?

Always. Ask anything, and take the time you need. For legal questions, a real estate attorney is the right person to ask.

What should I do before signing?

Get pre-approved and meet with me for a free buyer consultation, so you know your budget and exactly what I'll do for you.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Let's talk about your goals and your timeline. I'll walk you through it before you decide anything.

See how I help you buy, or schedule your free buyer consultation with Vivian.

This describes my general process. It isn't legal advice, and the terms of your agreement are set in writing between us.