Do I have to sign a buyer’s agency agreement in Georgia before I can tour homes?
Yes. Since August 2024, Georgia REALTORS® must have a signed buyer’s agency agreement in Georgia in place before showing a buyer any home in person. The agreement spells out how your agent gets paid, and that amount is always negotiable.
Table of Contents
- What This Agreement Actually Is
- Why This Changed: The NAR Settlement, in Plain English
- What the Agreement Actually Says
- Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive: What Newnan Buyers Should Know
- Can You Negotiate the Terms?
- What Happens If You Want Out?
- A Newnan Buyer’s Checklist Before You Sign
- FAQ
- About the Author
A Sharpsburg buyer called Mark Robertson this spring, ready to see three houses that same weekend — and surprised to learn she needed to sign paperwork before he could unlock the first front door. She isn’t alone. Since the 2024 National Association of REALTORS® practice changes took effect, a buyer’s agency agreement in Georgia is now a required first step in almost every home search, and most buyers have never heard of it until they’re standing in a driveway.
As a REALTOR® with the R&R Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, I walk Newnan, Coweta County, and South Metro Atlanta buyers through this conversation every week. This guide covers exactly what the agreement is, why Georgia requires it, what’s negotiable, and what to check before you sign — so the paperwork feels like protection instead of a surprise. If you’re already comparing closing costs for buyers in Newnan, this agreement is usually the very first paperwork you’ll see in the process, well before you ever get to a closing table.
What Is a Buyer’s Agency Agreement in Georgia?
A buyer’s agency agreement is a written contract between a homebuyer and a real estate brokerage, and in Georgia it’s now required before that agent can show you a home in person. It establishes an agency relationship — meaning the agent legally represents your interests, not the seller’s — and it discloses how and how much that agent will be compensated for helping you buy a home.
In Georgia, the standard version most brokerages use is the Georgia Association of REALTORS® (GAR) Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Engagement Agreement (Form F110), though brokerages can also offer more limited, single-showing or “touring” versions for buyers who aren’t ready to commit to one agent yet.
Key takeaway: this agreement is what makes your agent legally your representative — without it, an agent showing you a home is technically working for the seller, not you.
Why This Changed: The NAR Settlement, in Plain English
For decades, buyer agent compensation was typically offered by the seller through the MLS, and buyers rarely saw or signed anything before touring homes. That changed nationwide on August 17, 2024, when new National Association of REALTORS® practice rules took effect following a class-action settlement over how agent commissions were disclosed.
Two changes matter most for Newnan-area buyers:
- A written agreement is now required before a REALTOR® can tour a home with you — whether that’s a quick showing in Sharpsburg or a full search across Peachtree City.
- Compensation must be spelled out in dollars or a percentage, and the agreement must state plainly that the amount is negotiable and not set by any MLS, law, or association.
The Georgia Real Estate Commission regulates how Georgia agents implement these rules, and the Georgia Association of REALTORS® publishes the standard forms local brokerages use, including F110.
What the Agreement Actually Says
Every compliant version of this agreement should clearly spell out:
- The compensation amount — a specific dollar figure or percentage, never left blank or “to be determined later.”
- How the agent gets paid — often through a seller concession negotiated into the purchase contract, sometimes paid directly by the buyer, and sometimes a combination of both.
- The term of the agreement — how long it lasts (a single showing, a set number of days, or months).
- Termination conditions — what happens if you want to end the relationship early.
- The scope of representation — which properties, price ranges, or areas the agreement covers.
Nothing here should surprise you. If any of these fields are blank when you’re asked to sign, that’s your cue to ask questions before you pick up the pen.
Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive: What Newnan Buyers Should Know
Not every version of this agreement locks you into one agent for months. Brokerages generally offer a few versions:
| Agreement Type | Typical Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Single-showing / touring agreement | One showing or one day | First-time buyers still comparison-shopping agents |
| Limited-term exclusive agreement | 30–90 days | Buyers ready to commit to a focused search |
| Standard exclusive agreement (GAR F110) | Length negotiated, commonly several months | Buyers actively working with one agent through closing |
Bold takeaway: exclusivity, term length, and even the geographic area covered are all negotiable — Georgia law does not require a buyer to sign a months-long exclusive contract just to see one house in Grantville or Senoia.
Can You Negotiate the Terms?
Yes — and this is the point many first-time buyers miss. Georgia’s rules require the agreement to state that compensation is negotiable, but the same is true for the term length, the termination clause, and the scope of what’s covered. A good agent will walk through each field with you line by line rather than handing you a form to sign quickly in the car.
If a seller is offering a concession toward buyer-agent compensation, that amount can be applied toward what you’ve agreed to pay your agent — it does not automatically become extra income on top of your agreed rate. Ask your agent to walk you through exactly how compensation would work on a specific listing before you write an offer.
What Happens If You Want Out?
If your search stalls, your circumstances change, or you and your agent simply aren’t a fit, most Georgia buyer’s agency agreements include a termination path — usually requiring written notice. Before signing, ask directly: “If this isn’t working, how do I end this agreement, and does that affect any home I’m already under contract on?” A REALTOR® who answers that clearly, before you ask twice, is one worth working with.
A Newnan Buyer’s Checklist Before You Sign
- Confirm the compensation field shows a specific dollar amount or percentage — never blank.
- Ask whether the agreement is exclusive, limited, or a single-showing version.
- Check the term length and whether it matches how ready you are to buy.
- Read the termination clause out loud to your agent and ask them to explain it.
- Ask how compensation would be handled if the seller offers a concession.
- Get a copy of the signed agreement for your own records before you tour a single home.
FAQ
Do I have to sign a buyer’s agency agreement before touring any home in Georgia, even a builder’s model home?
Generally yes — if a REALTOR® is escorting you through a home, Georgia’s practice rules require a signed agreement first, whether that’s a resale listing in Newnan or a new-construction model in a Coweta County subdivision. Builder sales reps who don’t represent you may have separate registration paperwork; ask your agent to explain the difference before your first visit.
Can I still negotiate a lower commission with my Georgia buyer’s agent?
Yes. The agreement itself must state that compensation is negotiable, and Georgia REALTORS® cannot claim the amount is fixed by law, custom, or the MLS. It’s a conversation worth having up front, not after you’ve found the house you want.
What if I sign an agreement with one agent and then find a house through a different one?
This depends on the exclusivity and term of what you signed. A single-showing agreement typically only covers that one home, while an exclusive agreement may cover any home you buy during its term — which is exactly why reading the scope and term before signing matters so much.
Do I need to sign a new agreement for every neighborhood I look in, like Sharpsburg versus Peachtree City?
Not usually. Most agreements cover a buyer’s overall home search rather than a single subdivision, but the scope should be spelled out in writing. If you’re searching across multiple South Metro Atlanta communities, confirm your agreement covers all of them before you start touring.
About the Author
Mark Robertson is a REALTOR® with the R&R Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties, serving buyers and sellers across Newnan, Coweta County, Sharpsburg, Senoia, Peachtree City, and the broader South Metro Atlanta area. Mark specializes in residential sales, relocation, new construction, and senior transitions, and he walks every buyer through their agency agreement line by line before a single showing. Call or text 678-763-0715.
Ready to Start Your Search the Right Way?
Understanding your buyer’s agency agreement in Georgia shouldn’t feel like fine print — it should feel like knowing exactly who’s in your corner. If you’re getting ready to buy in Newnan, Coweta County, or anywhere in South Metro Atlanta, browse our Newnan-area buyer resources and schedule a free, no-pressure buyer consultation with Mark Robertson before your first showing. Call or text 678-763-0715 to get started.
Published September 2026. Real estate practices and forms are updated periodically by the Georgia Association of REALTORS® and the Georgia Real Estate Commission — always confirm current terms with your agent or attorney.
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