He wants six months exclusive, I asked for one property

Question

Agent sent me his buyer agreement to sign before he'll show me anything. Six month term, exclusive, covers all residential purchases in two counties. I asked whether he'd do a version tied to just the one duplex I called about, and he said serious buyers sign the term and that one-off agreements mean he does the work and I take the address to someone cheaper.

I get his side. He'd be spending real time on me before he knows I'll close. And I've read enough here to know an agent who's protected works harder for you.

My side is I've never worked with him. I don't know if he can read a rehab number or if he just forwards listings. Committing two counties for half a year to find that out feels backwards, and I'd be shut out of the wholesaler emails I already get.

There's a middle version where I sign the term but write in carve-outs, which starts turning into a document I'd need a lawyer for.

What would you sign as your first agreement with someone unproven?

samantha_ruiz · Answer

Single property first, and if he won't do it, ask for a 30 day term instead of six months. Same protection for him on anything he actually shows you, and you both find out fast whether this works. The agents who refuse both versions are usually telling you the term is where their income comes from rather than the closings. I signed a six month exclusive on deal one because I didn't know I could ask, and I spent four of those months not using an agent I couldn't fire.

He wants six months exclusive, I asked for one property

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