In August 2024, it became mandatory for all members of the National Association of Realtors to have signed buyer agreements before showings. There are two exceptions to this rule: buyer agreements are not required for open houses or when a listing agent is showing their listing to an unrepresented buyer. In the latter case, the listing agent works for the seller and does not have a duty of confidentiality to the unrepresented buyer.
In addition to the NAR requirements, some states, including Ohio, have codified the use of buyer agreements into law. Below are resources with more information on establishing buyer agency, the required terms of an agreement, and what led to these changes.
