Your Guide to Buyer Agency Agreements
At The Howell Group, we know buying a home is one of the biggest milestones in life. That’s why we take pride in being your trusted real estate advisors, guiding you every step of the way. A Buyer Agency Agreement ensures we can fully represent your best interests, so you can buy your dream home with confidence.
Here’s what you need to know about how this agreement protects you, simplifies the process, and helps us deliver unparalleled service as your dedicated advisors.
What is a buyer agency agreement?
A Buyer Agency Agreement is a legally required formal contract between you and your agent—The Howell Group—that guarantees we’re working for you. It clearly outlines:
- The full scope of services we’ll provide.
- The terms of our professional relationship.
- How we are compensated for our time and expertise.
Think of this agreement as a foundation of trust, ensuring you receive the tailored guidance and advocacy you deserve during your home-buying journey.
How We Deliver Value: The Howell Group’s Promise to You
Here’s why partnering with The Howell Group and signing a Buyer Agency Agreement creates unmatched value for you:
1. Personalized, Expert Guidance
As your trusted advisors, we take the time to understand your needs and priorities. Whether it’s analyzing market data or crafting the perfect offer, we tailor every step of the process to your goals.
2. Access to the Full Market
We give you more than what’s online. Our deep network and market expertise mean you get access to exclusive listings, including off-market and pre-list opportunities.
3. Advocacy at Every Turn
From negotiating the best terms to protecting you during inspections, our mission is to advocate for you. We navigate every challenge to get you the best possible outcome.
4. Complete Transparency
We prioritize transparency, ensuring you fully understand how we’re compensated upfront—no surprises, just clarity.
5. A Stress-Free Experience
The home-buying process has a lot of moving parts, but we handle the details so you can focus on envisioning your future home. With The Howell Group, you’ll always know what’s next and what to expect.
6. Post-Close Support
Our relationship doesn’t end at closing. Need recommendations for contractors, designers, or landscapers? We’re here to be your resource long after the keys are in your hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do I need a Buyer Agency Agreement?
Now required by law, this agreement guarantees you have a dedicated advisor (that’s us!) working exclusively for you. It provides clarity, transparency, and ensures you get the highest level of service.
2. Will I have to pay you out of pocket?
In most cases, our compensation is covered by the seller, although we are required to state a service fee, usually 3% of the sale price. We’ll always be transparent about how we’re compensated.
3. How long does this agreement last?
We’ll customize the timeframe to fit your needs, but most agreements last 6-12 months. If for any reason you feel it’s not working, we’ll happily discuss your options.
4. What if I decide not to buy a home?
If your plans change, let us know. We’ll work with you to adjust or terminate the agreement.
5. Can I still find homes on my own?
Absolutely! Many of our clients search for homes online or through personal connections. We encourage clients to use whatever apps or resources they wish, however most find that the Compass platform is their favorite once they start using it, and switch completely over. We love to see that as we can all be a part of the search process, add notes on specific properties, add them to favorites or even delete them from the search. You also get to watch the market so you stay more informed about if sold homes sell above, at, or below, last list price through the site.
Why Choose The Howell Group?
Buying a home is about more than just finding the right property—it’s about having the right team by your side. At The Howell Group, we’re dedicated to being your advocates, your advisors, and your partners in achieving your homeownership goals.
Here’s our promise to you:
- We work for you. Your goals, budget, and timeline come first.
- We keep it transparent. No surprises, just clarity and communication.
- We deliver results. From the first showing to the closing table, we’re with you every step of the way.
Let’s Get Started
Whether you’re ready to start touring homes or just have questions, The Howell Group is here for you. Let’s chat about your home-buying goals and how we can help make them a reality.
Brad Howell
The Howell Group
206-271-1111
brad.howell@compass.com