What Arizona Homebuyers Need to Know About the New Buyer-Broker Exclusive Employment Agreement
- Jan Croft
- Dec 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Understanding the new rules, protections, and what they mean for your home search in 2025 and beyond.
The real estate world has changed in a big way—especially for buyers. Beginning in 2024–2025, the National Association of REALTORS® introduced significant updates to how buyers hire and compensate their real estate agents. These updates impact everyone purchasing a home, including buyers right here in Arizona.
One of the most important changes is the new Buyer-Broker Exclusive Employment Agreement—a document every buyer must now sign before touring homes in person.
At Croft N Croft Real Estate Concierges, our goal is to make this process simple, transparent, and comfortable so buyers know exactly what they’re signing, what it means, and how it protects them.
Let’s break it all down:
What Is the Buyer-Broker Exclusive Employment Agreement?
It is a written agreement that establishes:
✔️ Who represents you
✔️ What services will your agent provide
✔️ How your agent is compensated
✔️ Your rights and protections as a buyer
✔️ The period of time the agent is hired to assist you
In short:
You get formal, exclusive representation—and your agent is legally obligated to protect your best interests.
Arizona law already required written employment agreements for sellers. Now, buyers receive the same level of clarity and protection.
Why Is This Agreement Required Before Viewing Homes?
Under updated rules, real estate agents may not take buyers into homes—no showings, no tours, no previews—until:
The buyer has a signed Buyer-Broker Employment Agreement, and
The buyer understands how their agent will be compensated.
This rule improves transparency and prevents buyers from accidentally receiving representation from multiple agents or viewing homes without clear professional guidance.
How Compensation Works Under the New Agreement
This is the part most buyers want explained clearly—so here it is:
1. Your agent’s fee must be disclosed in writing—upfront.
The agreement outlines the compensation structure clearly. There are no surprises.
2. Sellers can still offer compensation.
Nothing prohibits a seller from offering to pay a buyer’s agent. It just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
3. If seller compensation is offered, it is applied toward your agent’s fee.
In many cases, this means buyers still do not pay out of pocket.
4. Your agent is required to negotiate on your behalf.
We work to secure:
Seller-offered compensation
Concessions
Credits
Rate-buydowns
Closing cost coverage
5. If the seller offers nothing, the agreement outlines your options, such as:
Rolling compensation into the mortgage (when allowed)
Requesting a concession to offset it
Paying directly
Choosing properties with seller-offered compensation
You stay in control of the process at all times.
What This Means for Arizona Buyers
You get clarity from Day 1
No hidden fees. No confusion. Everything is transparent.
You get committed representation
Your agent is contractually obligated to advocate for you—something you don’t get by hopping between agents.
You know exactly what services you’re receiving.
At Croft N Croft, these include:
Concierge-level scheduling & communication
Neighborhood and market analysis
Home search strategy
Tour coordination
Offer writing
Negotiation
Inspection and appraisal guidance
Closing management
Long-distance or relocation support
And much more
You stay legally protected
Real estate contracts involve deadlines, disclosures, state laws, and financial risk. Your agreement ensures you have a trained expert protecting you every step of the way.
Why the New System Is a Win for Buyers
Even though this is a new step in the process, buyers ultimately benefit:
✔️ Better transparency
✔️ More professional accountability
✔️ Clearer expectations
✔️ Stronger representation
✔️ Written protection and defined services
✔️ Improved communication
Experienced agents like Croft N Croft have always operated with transparency—the new agreement simply formalizes what ethical, client-focused firms were already doing.
How Croft N Croft Makes This Process Easy
✔️ We walk you through the entire agreement in everyday language.
✔️ We answer every question.
✔️ We tailor the agreement length and terms to your needs.
✔️ We ensure you're protected and comfortable before moving forward.
Most importantly:
✔️ We treat your home search like a concierge experience—not a transaction.
Thinking about buying a home in Arizona?
Let’s talk through the new rules and how we can make your search successful, stress-free, and fully supported.
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