BEFORE YOU START
Three things to put on your list.
- Clarify the services and representation offered.
- Read the negotiated compensation terms.
- Request the written terms of any optional benefit.
Start with the work you need done
Describe your goal, property type, target locations and timing. Buyers can bring their search requirements and financing questions; sellers can bring the address, known condition issues and preferred move schedule. Investors and land buyers should also explain the intended use and the specialists already involved.
Ask which services the proposed engagement includes: search or marketing preparation, property visits, comparable-property research, offers, negotiation and transaction coordination. Clarify the communication plan, who will handle each stage and how urgent questions will be addressed. Identify services that require a separate professional or separate agreement. A specific scope gives both sides a practical way to assess progress.
Read the representation and compensation terms together
California’s Department of Real Estate explains that compensation is negotiable and there is no standard commission rate. A buyer’s written representation agreement addresses services, compensation, when payment is due and expiration. Ask for an explanation of the proposed agreement before signing, including its scope and any termination provisions.
Ask who represents whom and how any potential dual agency would be addressed. Put agreed service or fee changes in writing. Keep a copy of the signed documents and ask for clarification if a verbal explanation differs from what the agreement says.
Make the payer and the full budget clear
A buyer may request a seller contribution toward compensation, but the seller can accept or reject that request. Your obligation depends on the agreement and accepted transaction terms. Ask what you would owe if a requested contribution is unavailable or insufficient; do not assume every transaction carries the same arrangement.
Keep agent compensation separate from lender charges, escrow and title costs, inspections, insurance, moving expenses and other transaction costs. Ask each provider for its own estimate and payment timing. When your mortgage lender provides a Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, compare the costs and payer details, then raise unexplained changes with the lender or closing team before signing. CFPB’s explainer walks through the Closing Disclosure.
Confirm the terms of any optional benefit
If a consultation includes an offer involving moving, storage, furnishings or another third-party service, request the current written terms before counting it in your budget. Identify the provider, eligible services, limits, exclusions, availability, deadlines and who pays any remaining charges. Ask whether accepting the benefit creates a separate contract or obligation.
Treat a benefit as a specific offer to evaluate, not a promise of free services or a substitute for the compensation agreement. For the first meeting, bring your goals and questions. Arrange a suitable method for sharing financial or identity documents rather than placing sensitive information in an initial inquiry.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Know what to ask.
Does the seller always pay a buyer’s agent?
No. Discuss the proposed payer arrangement, your written obligations and what happens if the requested contribution is not accepted.
Are third-party benefits automatic?
Do not assume that they are. Request the specific offer’s eligibility, availability, limits and written terms before relying on it.
What should I ask before signing?
Ask for an explanation of the services, representation, duration, compensation and ending the relationship. Take time to understand the documents and keep your copies.
Go directly to the source
Official resources support the public-agency and professional-role information in this guide. Check current requirements for your exact property.