Starting August 17, 2024, all North Carolina REALTORS® who are “working with” a buyer must have a signed written agreement before showing any home—whether in-person or virtually—even if it’s just one house or for a single day.
Why This Matters
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Legal clarity: The agreement outlines your duties—like confidentiality and loyalty—and mine as your agent, ensuring transparency and trust.
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Obligation structure: It specifies time frames, scope (single showings versus ongoing), and how agent compensation works.
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Prevents confusion: It ensures everyone knows who represents whom, especially in dual-agent scenarios.
What You Can Expect
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Flexible agreements – choose a single-property, single-day, or ongoing contract. Not ready for exclusivity? Consider a non-exclusive or touring agreement as a first step.
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Applies to all tours – live or recorded virtual tours count just like in-person visits.
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Open-house exception – visiting an open house without your agent still requires basic disclosure, though not necessarily the full agreement.
Next Steps for Buyers
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Talk with your agent about what type of buyer agency agreement suits your goals.
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Review the document—making sure it clearly covers duration, duties, and fees.
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Sign before your first scheduled showing or tour—so you're fully represented from the start.
This new rule protects both parties—giving buyers confidence in representation and agents clarity and security in their work. Have questions? Reach out to a trusted local agent (like me!) to get everything set before your home search begins.
