When Does Your Realtor Have You Sign A Buyer's Agency Agreement?

The other day I was being interviewed over the phone by prospective buyers looking to hire me on as a buyer's agent. They had found me through the internet and e-mailed me and asked if there was a convenient time to talk. We scheduled the appointment and they called promptly at the time they said they were. One of the first things they said was that they were interviewing three Realtors they had found online to see who the best fit was for them. I was okay with that. Not everyone is a good fit for everyone and I have had situations where I have walked away from clients because the fit did not seem right...So I respected that. AS our conversation was going and they were asking me questions on the areas of Charlotte they were looking to potentially purchase a home in and it was areas I was very familiar with and have listed and sold many homes in those areas. So I was able to answer their questions quickly and accurately. Just as I thought it was going to get them as clients they said we have an important question for you...I thought here we go they want me to reduce commission. But quite the contrary; they asked when do require the buyer to sing an exclusive buyer's agency agreement? A question I usually get asked but not on the initial conversation. I explained how I prefer to go over it and explain it and let them read it over and then have them sign it when they are comfortable. So I really do not have a set time frame on when you sign one. You are buying a house from out of state. We have never met and have had a few conversations over the e-mail and a phone conversation. Why would I have you sing something when I have not even met you? Shockingly they said that another agent would not meet with them unless they signed the form upfront. I was a little shocked. Why would you have someone sign the form upfront when you have never really met them face to face or got to know them and decided if you two were going to be a good fit for one another? I prefer to let the client dictate to a point when they sign it. I feel that I am doing what I have told them I was going to do and they feel we are a good fit I ask them to sign it. No client has not signed it...But I do not mandate they have to for me to take them out to look at houses. Locking someone into using you as a buyer’s agent when you have not even won their trust over yet is a little disheartening for me as a Realtor. A home purchase is a very large purchase and just as you search for homes you should be able to search for a Realtor without feeling pushed... Dave diCecco Realtor/Broker Coldwell Banker United Cell:704-519-7895 ddicecco@cbunited.com www.davedicecco.com