The first signature deserves a real conversation.

Why you may see it before a tour

California law requires a buyer-broker representation agreement as soon as practicable and no later than the buyer's offer. Separate industry practice under the national settlement generally requires a signed agreement before an agent tours a home with a buyer. The California Department of Real Estate explicitly distinguishes those two timing rules. If you are confused by an agent asking for a signature before a showing, request a plain-language explanation of which requirement applies.

Circle the money and the exit

Read the compensation provision and ask what amount is owed if the seller offers less than expected or pays nothing. Seller payment is negotiable in a purchase offer; it is not automatic. Also check when compensation becomes payable, what happens if you buy a property first shown by a different agent, whether the agreement covers one home or a broader area, and any cancellation or release process. Do not rely on an oral promise to change written terms later.

Ask what representation buys you

A useful agreement should make the services intelligible: search and property research, offer strategy, disclosures, inspection coordination, negotiation, and transaction follow-through. Ask who your primary contact is, how quickly they respond, and how conflicts of interest or dual agency would be handled. The right fit is not necessarily the shortest agreement; it is the one you understand and can realistically work under.

Take a minute before you sign

Request a copy and read it away from the doorway. You can ask for a narrower scope or different duration and can seek independent legal advice if a clause is unclear. A signed contract can create a payment obligation even if the seller declines a concession. The purpose of the conversation is clarity before the home search becomes emotional.

Quick answer

Does the seller always pay my buyer's agent?

No. Compensation is negotiated. A buyer can request a seller concession, but the seller can decline; your signed agreement determines your obligation if the transaction proceeds.