{"id":52586,"date":"2025-01-15T10:18:13","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T18:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=52586"},"modified":"2026-04-06T06:41:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T13:41:59","slug":"buyer-arizona-buyer-broker-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-arizona-buyer-broker-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Buyer-Broker Agreement: A Required Agent Contract"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re planning to buy a home in Arizona<\/a>, you\u2019ll now need to sign a buyer-broker agreement before touring properties with a real estate agent. This requirement is part of a nationwide change attached to a court settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NAR settlement has not only confused buyers and sellers, but agents also seemed to be confused,\u201d David Cochran<\/a>, a top agent in Surprise, Arizona, with 52 years of experience, told Homelight in a recent survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This guide will explain a buyer-broker agreement, why it\u2019s required, and how it affects the home-buying process in Arizona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Do you have to sign a buyer-broker agreement in Arizona?<\/h2>\n

Yes, Arizona buyers using an agent with MLS access<\/a> must sign a buyer-broker agreement<\/a> before touring homes with the agent. Following a series of lawsuits, a federal court determined that NAR’s long-established agent commission structure and policies infringed upon federal antitrust laws<\/a>. These new rules became effective August 17, 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The changes are meant to provide more transparency in real estate transactions and ensure that buyers and agents formalize their working relationship before any home tours occur. The signed agreements are also designed to help buyers have a clearer understanding of their financial obligations, including compensating their agent.<\/p>\n

While the advance written contract requirement might feel significant for buyers in Arizona, it aligns with practices that were already required in 18 other states<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been much more confusion in [the industry], but it\u2019s only had a minimal impact for me because I explain these things to my clients,\u201d said Heather Martin<\/a>, a top agent and fifth-generation Arizonian serving the Phoenix metro area. \u201cI have only had to refuse to work with a few clients who \u2018already had an agent,\u2019 so they didn\u2019t get stuck paying duplicate Realtor fees. They appreciated my honesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

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What is a buyer-broker agreement?<\/h2>\n

A buyer-broker agreement is a written contract between a homebuyer and their real estate agent. It spells out the responsibilities of both parties, including:<\/p>\n