What Questions Should I Ask a Buyer's Agent Before I Sign a Buyer Agreement in Erie, Colorado?

What questions should you ask a buyer's agent before you sign a buyer agreement in Erie, Colorado? Ask what the agreement says, how long it lasts, how the agent is paid, what happens if you want to stop, and whether they will go through it with you line by line. A good agent welcomes every one of those questions and answers in plain words, and you should not sign anything you do not understand.

If the idea of signing a document before you have even seen a home makes you nervous, that is a sensible reaction. You are being asked to commit to a person, and you may not feel ready to. You may also worry that asking too many questions will make you look inexperienced. It will not. The buyers I trust most are the ones who ask.

I'm Carol, and Homes by Carol is my real estate practice here in Erie. Carol Vanlandingham is a REALTOR® with eXp Realty and a buyer's and seller's agent in Erie, Colorado, with about 80 homes closed for buyers and sellers and a 5.0 rating on Google. She helps people through life transitions, downsizing, first homes and relocation across Erie, Boulder County and Northern Colorado. I have been licensed for 10 years and have lived here for over 31. This post is education first, and at the end I will tell you how I handle it with my own buyers.

A buyer agreement is a written agreement between you and an agent. It sets out how you will work together: what the agent will do for you, how long the agreement lasts and how the agent is paid. Many agents ask you to sign one before you tour homes.

It is a real document with real terms, so it is fair to treat it that way. Read it, ask what each part means and take your time.

Bring this list. You can print it or keep it on your phone. After each question, I have added what a good answer sounds like.

What will you do for me, specifically?

A good answer is concrete. It covers getting you ready, finding homes that fit your list, explaining each step, helping you decide on an offer and keeping track of the dates through closing. If the answer is vague, ask for an example.

How long does the agreement last?

Ask for the exact length, and ask where it is written in the agreement. A good agent tells you without hesitation and points to the line.

How are you paid, and when?

Ask every agent this, and get the answer in writing before you sign. You deserve to know how the person working for you is paid, and a good agent will explain it clearly and not get defensive. Ask me too, and I will answer.

What happens if I want to stop working together?

You want to know your options before you need them. Ask what ending the agreement looks like and what, if anything, it would involve. A good agent answers directly.

Will you go through the agreement with me line by line?

This one question tells you a lot. An agent who is happy to slow down and walk you through each part respects you. An agent who hurries you past it is giving you information.

Can I take it home and think about it?

Yes, and a good agent says yes quickly. If you want an attorney to read it, that is a reasonable request too.

Who will I actually work with?

Ask who answers your calls and texts, who shows you homes and who handles the paperwork. You are choosing a person, so you should know who that person is.

How will we stay in touch, and how fast will you reply?

Ask what a typical week looks like. If you are the kind of person who likes a short update every few days, say so now.

How well do you know the towns I am considering?

Erie sits in both Boulder County and Weld County, so the county, your tax bill and your school district depend on the parcel. A good agent knows this and can explain what it means for your search.

What if I am not ready?

Sometimes the right answer is "not yet." A good agent can say that, and tell you what getting ready would look like. You should never feel pushed to move before you are ready.

Step 1: Meet before you sign anything

A first conversation should not require a signature. In my first meeting with a buyer, I walk through the whole buying process and what each step looks like, so you know what is coming, and you are under no obligation.

Step 2: Ask your questions out loud

Take your list and ask. Notice how the answers feel. Clear, calm and patient is what you are looking for.

Step 3: Ask to see the agreement ahead of time

Ask for a copy before you sit down to sign. Reading it at home, with a cup of coffee and no one waiting, is a very different experience from reading it across a table.

Step 4: Read it, mark what you do not understand and ask

Underline anything unclear. Bring those questions to the agent and ask them to walk you through each one. If an answer does not make sense, ask again.

Step 5: Decide when you are comfortable

If something still feels off, you are allowed to wait, ask more questions or talk to another agent. I wrote about how to choose a buyer's agent if you want the bigger picture.

• Signing in the first five minutes. You do not have to. A good agent will not pressure you.
• Not asking how the agent is paid. It is a fair question, and the answer belongs in writing.
• Not reading the length. Know how long you are agreeing to work together.
• Skipping the questions because they feel basic. No question is too basic. If an agent makes you feel foolish for asking, that tells you something.
• Mixing up the agent and the lender. Your agent is not your lender. Loan questions go to your lender, and I wrote about what to ask a lender before you buy.
• Assuming the agent at a builder's office works for you. That agent works for the builder. I explain this in whether you need your own agent for new construction.

Since you are reading to decide, here it is in plain words.

• Before our first showing, I sign a written buyer agreement with every buyer, and I go through it with you line by line.
• We meet first. In that first meeting I walk you through the whole process, and you are under no obligation.
• I ask every buyer to be pre-approved by a lender before we tour. I have a list of lenders I recommend, and you are free to use anyone you choose. I am not a lender.
• I educate before I recommend, and I listen before I advise. You make the decisions.
• If the right advice is "not yet," I will tell you.

You can read more about how I work on my page about how I help you buy, and learn more about me on my about page.

Do I have to sign a buyer agreement before I see homes?

Many agents ask for one before the first showing, and I do. You can always ask to read it first, ask questions and take it home. Meeting an agent to talk should not require a signature.

What should I ask about how my agent is paid?

Ask how they are paid, when and by whom, and ask for the answer in writing before you sign. A good agent explains it clearly and does not rush you.

Can I ask an attorney to look at a buyer agreement?

Yes. It is a reasonable thing to ask, and a good agent will not mind.

What if I sign and change my mind?

Ask about this before you sign. Ask what ending the agreement looks like and get the answer in writing. Knowing it ahead of time is much easier than finding out later.

Is it okay to talk to more than one agent first?

Yes. Talking to a few agents helps you compare how they listen and explain. It is a normal part of choosing someone you will work with closely.

If you are looking at buying in Erie, I would be glad to talk. See how I help first-time buyers, learn about the town on my Erie page, or send me a note. You can also call me at (303) 522-3130. There is no pressure, and you can ask as many questions as you need.