What Is Buyer Agency? What North Carolina Homebuyers Should Know

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you may have questions about when to contact a real estate agent, what a buyer agency agreement means, and how your agent gets paid.

These are important things to understand before you start touring homes. In this video, I walk through buyer agency, the paperwork you may encounter, and what working with a buyer’s agent should look like.

[Watch: Buyer Agency Explained by Addison Johnson of TIU Real Estate]

Insert the YouTube video here.

When Should You Contact a Buyer’s Agent?

My recommendation is to reach out sooner than you might think.

You don’t have to be ready to make an offer next week to start building a relationship with an agent. Maybe you’re planning to move in three months. Maybe you’re a year out and working on your credit, saving for a down payment, or getting your finances in order.

Having an agent you know and trust before you’re ready to buy can make the process smoother when the time comes.

I work with buyers on different timelines. Sometimes we go from our first conversation to closing in about 45 days. Other times, we work together for six months or a year before they’re ready to purchase. Both are normal parts of the job.

For me, real estate isn’t just about completing a transaction. It’s about building relationships and helping people navigate an important decision.

What Is the Difference Between an Agency Disclosure and a Buyer Agency Agreement?

These two documents serve different purposes, and understanding that difference can help you feel more comfortable when you begin talking with agents.

The Working With Real Estate Agents disclosure

In North Carolina, the Working With Real Estate Agents disclosure explains the different ways a real estate agent or firm may work with you. These can include buyer agency, dual agency, designated dual agency, and working with an agent who represents the seller rather than you.

The disclosure is not itself a contract requiring you to work with that agent. It acknowledges that the disclosure has been reviewed with you.

North Carolina real estate brokers are required to review the disclosure at first substantial contact, before asking for or receiving confidential information from a prospective client. You should understand whom an agent represents before sharing information that could affect your negotiating position.

The buyer agency agreement

A buyer agency agreement establishes the terms of the relationship between you and the brokerage representing you.

Depending on the agreement, it can identify the type of property or geographic area covered, how long the agreement lasts, the services involved, and how the brokerage will be compensated.

Read the agreement carefully before signing. Pay attention to its duration, the properties or areas it covers, the compensation terms, and the conditions for ending the relationship.

In North Carolina, a written buyer agency agreement is required no later than the time an offer is made. Separate MLS participation rules may require a written agreement before an agent working with a buyer tours a property. Ask your agent to explain which requirements apply to your situation.

How Do Buyer’s Agents Get Paid?

This is one of the most common questions I hear, and it’s worth understanding before you sign a buyer agency agreement.

There is no standard commission rate set by law for all real estate agents. Compensation is negotiable and should be clearly addressed in your written agreement.

The agreement should specify the compensation the brokerage will receive or how it will be calculated. It’s important to understand that amount before you commit to working together.

Depending on the transaction, the seller may agree to pay some or all of the buyer brokerage’s compensation. However, a seller is not automatically required to do so. If the amount paid by the seller is less than the amount agreed to in the buyer agency agreement, you could be responsible for the difference, depending on the agreement’s terms.

For example, if your agreement specifies a certain amount and the seller agrees to contribute a smaller amount toward your agent’s compensation, you need to know whether you would be responsible for the remaining balance.

This is exactly the kind of question you should ask before signing—not after you’ve found a house you want to buy.

What Does a Buyer’s Agent Actually Do?

A good buyer’s agent does much more than schedule showings and write an offer.

At TIU Real Estate, I want buyers to understand what’s happening throughout the process and have someone helping them work through the decisions along the way.

That can include:

• Connecting you with local lenders and insurance providers.
• Helping you search for properties that fit your needs.
• Talking through the pros and cons of individual homes.
• Preparing and negotiating an offer.
• Coordinating inspections and helping you understand the findings.
• Connecting you with qualified contractors or tradespeople when additional expertise is needed.
• Helping negotiate repairs or other terms after inspections.
• Staying in communication with the lender and closing attorney.
• Guiding you through the process all the way to closing.

My background in construction is especially useful when questions come up about a roof, electrical panel, plumbing, or other parts of a home. With your permission, I can help connect you with appropriate professionals who can explain the issue and, when possible, provide repair estimates.

That doesn’t replace a qualified inspection or the advice of a licensed professional. It does mean I can help you figure out which questions to ask and who may be able to answer them.

Much of a buyer’s agent’s work happens behind the scenes. My goal is to keep you informed, help you understand your options, and handle the coordination that can otherwise make the process overwhelming.

What About Dual Agency?

Dual agency occurs when the same brokerage represents both the buyer and seller in a transaction. That creates a different situation because the brokerage must work with both parties rather than representing only one side.

Designated dual agency is a related arrangement in which different agents within the same firm are designated to represent the buyer and seller.

These arrangements have specific rules and limitations, and you should understand them before agreeing to one.

At TIU Real Estate, I choose not to practice dual agency. I want my buyer clients to have representation focused on their interests. If a buyer is interested in a property I have listed, I can refer that buyer to another agent so the buyer can have separate representation.

Every brokerage has its own approach, so ask how an agent handles these situations before you begin working together.

Can You See a House Before Committing to an Agent?

This is another question worth asking upfront.

At TIU Real Estate, we offer a Property Showing Agreement for buyers who want to see a limited number of properties before deciding whether to enter into an exclusive buyer agency agreement.

Under the arrangement described in my video, our firm offers this option for up to three property showings, with no fee owed by the buyer under that agreement. It is limited in scope and does not authorize the buyer to submit an offer through the firm under that agreement alone.

The specific terms, eligibility, and paperwork matter. Ask us to explain the current agreement and what it does and does not cover before scheduling a showing.

This option isn’t offered by every brokerage, so don’t assume every agent will use the same arrangement.

The important thing is to have an honest conversation about expectations and representation before you start touring homes.

Choosing an Agent Is About More Than Finding a House

Buying a home involves a lot of moving parts. You deserve to understand who represents you, how that relationship works, how compensation is handled, and what help you can expect along the way.

I also believe the relationship shouldn’t end at the closing table. My goal is to stay connected, help clients find answers when questions come up, and be a resource as they settle into their homes and communities.

If you’re planning to buy in New Bern, Craven County, or the surrounding Eastern North Carolina area, you don’t have to wait until you’re ready to make an offer to start the conversation.

Have questions about buyer agency or getting started with a home search? Reach out to Addison Johnson at TIU Real Estate. We can talk through your timeline, your questions, and what the next steps might look like.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Agency relationships, compensation, and agreement requirements depend on the applicable rules and the terms of the specific agreement. Review any agreement carefully and ask your real estate professional to explain anything you do not understand.