By Rebecca Sabot, Real Estate Agent
Copyright 2026 Rebecca Sabot. All rights reserved.
If you are buying a home and an agent says you need to sign something before touring a property, your first reaction might be: Wait, what is this and why is paperwork showing up before I have even picked out countertops in my imagination?
Fair question.
Touring agreements and buyer representation agreements have become a much more common part of the home buying conversation. And while the names can sound intimidating, the basic idea is simple: these agreements help define the relationship between the buyer and the real estate professional before home tours begin.
Or, in less official language, they are meant to create clarity before everyone starts burning gas and scheduling showings.
WHAT IS A TOURING AGREEMENT OR BUYER REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT?
A touring agreement or buyer representation agreement is a written agreement between a buyer and a real estate professional that outlines the working relationship.
Depending on the form and the situation, it may address things like:
the agent’s role
the services being provided
the area or properties covered
the length of the agreement
how compensation works
whether the agreement is limited or ongoing
As of the practice changes that took effect in 2024, many MLS participants working with buyers must enter into a written agreement before touring a home, including live virtual tours. Open houses are generally different, and simply asking an agent about their services does not usually require a written buyer agreement.
WHY DOES THIS AGREEMENT EXIST?
At the core, it exists to create clarity.
Real estate involves time, scheduling, advice, access, strategy, and liability. Buyers deserve to understand what relationship they are entering into, what services they are receiving, and how the agent is being compensated. Agents also need to know the scope of the relationship they are stepping into.
NAR’s consumer guidance explains that written buyer agreements are intended to clarify roles, responsibilities, and compensation, and that compensation for home buyers and sellers remains negotiable.
So no, this is not supposed to be a secret trapdoor into the real estate basement.
It is supposed to be a conversation.
IS A TOURING AGREEMENT THE SAME AS A FULL EXCLUSIVE BUYER AGREEMENT?
Not always.
Some agreements are narrow and limited. They may apply only to a certain property, a short time period, or a specific type of interaction such as touring homes.
Others are broader buyer representation agreements that establish a fuller working relationship over a longer period of time.
That is why buyers should read the agreement and ask questions before signing. The name alone does not tell you everything.
WHAT SHOULD BUYERS LOOK FOR?
If you are asked to sign a touring agreement or buyer representation agreement in Bismarck-Mandan, here are some smart things to review:
THE LENGTH OF THE AGREEMENT
How long does it last? A day? A week? Several months?
THE SCOPE
Does it apply to one property, certain properties, one city, or all homes you may buy during that timeframe?
THE SERVICES
What is the agent agreeing to do for you?
THE COMPENSATION SECTION
What does it say about compensation, and how is it calculated or determined? NAR policy requires a specific and conspicuous disclosure of the amount or rate of compensation the participant will receive, or how that amount will be determined, to the extent compensation will be received from any source.
THE TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP
Is this just for touring? Or is it a broader representation agreement?
THE EXIT OR CANCELLATION TERMS
If the fit is not right, what happens next?
In other words: read the thing. Ask the questions. Normal grown-up stuff. No decoder ring required.
WHAT BUYERS SHOULD KNOW BEFORE SIGNING
Here is the good news: signing an agreement does not automatically mean something shady is happening.
It usually means the industry is trying to be more explicit about the relationship before the home search gets rolling. That can actually be a good thing for buyers, because expectations are out in the open.
Still, buyers should never feel rushed into signing something they do not understand.
A good agent should be willing to explain:
what the agreement is
why it is needed
what it covers
how long it lasts
what the compensation language means
what happens if you decide not to continue working together
If someone acts weirdly allergic to questions, that is useful information too.
DO YOU NEED TO SIGN SOMETHING TO GO TO AN OPEN HOUSE?
Generally, no.
Current consumer guidance says that if you are simply visiting an open house on your own or asking a real estate professional about their services, you do not need to sign a written buyer agreement for that interaction.
That is different from scheduling private showings or working directly with an agent to tour homes.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A touring agreement or buyer representation agreement is not automatically a bad thing. It is a document that helps define the relationship between buyer and agent before touring homes or moving further into the process.
The key is understanding what you are signing.
For buyers in Bismarck-Mandan, the smartest approach is to ask questions, read the agreement carefully, and work with someone who is willing to explain things clearly and without pressure.
Because buying a home is stressful enough. You should not also need to feel like you accidentally joined a secret society just to see a split-entry.
CALL TO ACTION
If you have questions about a touring agreement, buyer representation agreement, or what any of this means when buying a home in Bismarck-Mandan, reach out anytime.
I am happy to walk through it with you in plain English.
