Buyers should understand these options before signing a contract. Also, before signing a contract, a buyer should ask whether he will owe a fee to the buyer's agent if the buyer finds a home elsewise, for example through a relative or friend. This is comparable to the exclusive right to sell listing agreement which sellers typically sign. This agreement requires the seller to pay a commission to his agent even if the home is sold to a relative. A buyer should ask whether the chosen agent represents buyers exclusively.
Single agents represent both buyers and sellers but never in the same transaction.
A buyer represented by a single agent may not be able to see any homes listed by a single agent who already represents the seller of those listings as a seller's agent. A single agent in this situation may refer the buyer to another firm for representation to view the property in question. Other firms practice disclosed dual agency. These firms list property yet also represent buyers. If a buyer wishes to view a home which is listed with a firm which practices disclosed dual agency, the buyer must provide his written, informed consent to allow the firm to act as a disclosed dual agent before viewing the in-house listing.