Do I have to sign anything before looking at a home to buy or rent?
Yes. As a result of the NAR settlement, all buyers or renters must sign a Buyer Broker Employment Agreement before viewing any homes. There is another form that can be used if you have not yet hired the agent formally, but wish to view a few homes. The Buyer Broker Employment Agreement is not a new form. The reality is that under the old system, buyer's agents were guaranteed compensation if they showed and sold an MLS listed property where compensation (via the MLS) was offered. The main change now is that the form must be used and an agents compensation must be clearly spelled out.