As an investor, I often talk to Realtors in different states. As a consumer, it is a big turn off to me to have someone ask me to sign a buyer agency agreement before we look at the first house.  I would be comfortable doing it after a 'test drive'.

Sometimes you just have to ask, specially if you know it might take a long time.I think its a very important subject Terry and you have the guts to make this one public..And yes, its true if they do sign, the agent will be committed. It is a business. You want to work hard for your clients but not for free.

Terry I think its getting better as I am seeing less resistance to signing the buyer agency agreement.  I don't ask them to sign until we have met and had a chance to get to know each other.  I don't want the sign an agreement with everybody I meet

Terry,

You need to post this to localism, so that the public begins to understand.

Terry and others positive about these agreements, You obviously don't do a good job. Otherwise your services would speak for themselves. Trying to strong-arm someone into a contract is underhanded. Buyer beware. I wouldn't use any of you as a realitor.

To the new buyer above, when a realtor asks you to sign a buyer's broker agreement, what they are really asking is for your loyalty.  We only get paid if we write a contract and it closes.  We aren't paid for the hours it takes looking for properties or the expense in doing so.  We don't get paid to write the offer and negotiate it back and forth in counter offers.  Many of us work 7 days a week, often cutting into family time to show properties and keep the deal together.  I'm sure you don't work for free and I dare say, I prefer not to. 

I give 100% to my clients.  I protect their interests and treat them like family.  I really care about the outcome.  I watch out for pit falls and work closely to make sure everything stays together.  It's a VERY difficult way to make a living.  All I have to give is my expertise, time and honesty.  I need to know my buyer values my service enough to enable me to get paid.

Do you understand?  If you don't have a good rapport with an agent and you don't feel you're a good match, then don't sign.  But, if you find an agent who you are comfortable with and you feel confident they will give you the best service, then by all means, be loyal to them... and put it in writing! 

To outside buyer

WE love to help our client but this is our job and we do like to get paid.  too many times you spend hours and lots fo gas money educating and helping a buyer to have them go buy a For Sale By Owner.  This is how we support our families and too many buyers don't recognize that

For the committed and good Realtors, a buyers agreement is fine for a consumer.  The challenge is that the 80/20 rule works all to well with Realtors.  80% don't do a good job.  Then what you end up with is a contract with a Realtor that isn't doing anything for you.

As an investor that purchases multiple houses a month, I won't sign an agreement because I work with who brings me the deals.  All of my Realtors know this but they also know that I do what I say I'm going to do and that I close quickly.  They also all know that I work with who brings me the deals so know one feels like I'm hiding anything.

I guess it's a little different from the first time investor and home owner to an experienced investor purchasing multiple properties per month.

Jared

Wow, Jared! Has it really been your experience that "80% of Realtors don't do a good job"? 

First, I hope that you are not confusing plain old "real estate agents" with "Realtors", who are members of the National Association of Realtors & bound by a strict Code of Ethics.

It saddens me to think that your experiences in real estate transactions have led you to feel such a lack of trust.  Hopefully you are aware that an agent not under buyer agency contract with you, is actually working in the seller's best interest - by Michigan law. 

I truly hope that you are blessed with good agents in your real estate future, who will change your mind about our profession.  Just like any other profession you can name, not every person upholds the same standards.