Can You Sign a Buyer Agreement for Just One House? Here’s What You Need to Know

When you’re ready to start seriously looking at homes, your real estate agent may ask you to sign a buyer broker agreement (also called a buyer representation agreement or buyer agency agreement). For many first-time home buyers, this document can feel intimidating—especially if you’re not sure you’re ready to commit to working with one agent for months.

Here’s the good news: Yes, you can absolutely sign a buyer agreement for just one house. In fact, these agreements are far more flexible than most people realize.

What Is a Buyer Broker Agreement?

A buyer broker agreement is a contract between you and a real estate agent that formalizes their representation of you in the home buying process. It outlines the agent’s responsibilities, your obligations, and—most importantly—ensures your agent gets compensated for their work on your behalf.

Think of it as the buyer’s version of a listing agreement. Just as sellers sign contracts with their listing agents, buyers can (and often should) sign agreements with their buyer’s agents to clarify the working relationship.

The Two Most Important Things to Look At

When reviewing any buyer broker agreement, there are two critical components you should pay close attention to:

1. The Geographic Area Being Served

This defines where your agent will represent you. It might be:

• A specific city or town
• Multiple counties
• A defined radius from a certain location
• Even a specific neighborhood

Why it matters: You want to make sure the coverage area matches where you’re actually planning to search for homes. If you’re looking in both Pierce County and Kitsap County, for example, you’ll want that reflected in the agreement.

2. The Time Frame (Duration)

This specifies how long the agreement lasts. And here’s where flexibility really comes into play.

Common duration options include:

• Single property showing – The agreement covers just one specific house
• 24-hour agreement – Perfect for a day of showings to “test drive” the relationship
• One week – Ideal if you’re visiting from out of town
• 30-90 days – Standard for active buyers who know what they want
• 6 months to 1 year – For buyers with longer timelines or specific requirements

Why Short-Term Agreements Make Sense

Let’s be honest: starting a relationship with a real estate agent is a bit like dating. You don’t really know if you’ll work well together until you’ve spent some time in the trenches.

That’s exactly why many agents are happy to offer short-term or single-property agreements when you’re first getting started.

The “Let’s See If We Click” Approach

Here’s how a typical short-term agreement might work:

Scenario: You’ve been talking with an agent and you’ve found a house you’d like to see. But you’re not sure if this agent is the right fit for you long-term.

Solution: Sign a buyer agreement specifically for that one showing.

This protects both parties:

• For you: You get professional representation for that showing without a long-term commitment
• For the agent: They’re covered if you decide to make an offer on that property
• For everyone: You get to test the working relationship with no pressure

The 24-Hour Showing Day

Another popular option is the 24-hour agreement for a day of showings:

“Let’s do this for 24 hours. We’re going to look at 5-7 houses together, see how we communicate, see if you like my approach. If one of those houses turns out to be ‘the one,’ we’re both protected. If not, no hard feelings, and you can decide if you want to continue working together.”

This gives you a real sense of:

• How the agent communicates
• Their knowledge of the market
• Their negotiation approach
• Whether your personalities mesh
• If they truly listen to your needs

What Happens If You Love The First House?

Here’s a common concern: “What if I sign for just one house and that turns out to be THE house?”

Good news: That’s exactly what the agreement is designed to cover. If you decide to make an offer on that property, your agent’s representation continues through the transaction—negotiations, inspections, closing, and all.

If that house doesn’t work out and you want to continue working together, you can always extend the agreement or sign a new one with a longer duration.

What If It’s Not a Good Fit?

If you do a 24-hour showing session or see one house and realize this agent isn’t the right match, you’re free to move on.

The key is communication: Most agents would much rather you be upfront about your concerns than continue an uncomfortable working relationship. A short-term agreement gives both parties an easy out if things aren’t clicking.

Building Trust Through Flexibility

The best buyer-agent relationships are built on mutual trust and respect. An agent who’s willing to start with a short-term agreement is essentially saying:

“I’m confident in my abilities. I don’t need to lock you in to prove my value. Let me show you what I can do.”

This flexibility demonstrates:

• Confidence in their service
• Respect for your comfort level
• Understanding that chemistry matters
• Willingness to earn your business

Common Questions About Buyer Agreements

Q: Am I stuck with an agent if I sign an agreement? A: It depends on the duration. A single-property or 24-hour agreement means minimal commitment. Longer agreements may have terms for early termination, but it’s always best to discuss this upfront.

Q: Can I work with multiple agents if I sign a buyer agreement? A: Not for the properties or geographic area covered by the agreement. That’s why starting with limited scope (one house or short duration) makes sense if you’re still exploring your options.

Q: What if I find a house on my own? A: This depends on your specific agreement. Most buyer broker agreements cover properties you find during the agreement period, even if you discovered them independently. Always clarify this before signing.

Q: Do I have to pay my buyer’s agent? A: Traditionally, buyer’s agent compensation has been paid by the seller through the total commission. However, recent industry changes mean it’s important to discuss compensation clearly upfront. A buyer agreement should specify exactly how your agent will be paid.

Red Flags to Watch For

While most agents are flexible and fair, watch out for:

• Agents who refuse short-term agreements when you’re clearly hesitant
• Vague geographic descriptions that might cover more area than you’re searching
• Automatic renewals without your explicit consent
• Unclear compensation terms
• Pressure to sign long-term agreements before you’ve worked together

A professional agent should be willing to clearly explain every aspect of the agreement and accommodate reasonable requests for limited scope when you’re first starting out.

The Bottom Line

Yes, you can absolutely sign a buyer broker agreement for just one house—or even just 24 hours. These flexible arrangements are common, reasonable, and actually a smart way to begin a professional relationship with a real estate agent.

The key points to remember:

1. Always review the geographic area covered
2. Pay close attention to the duration/time frame
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for a short-term or single-property agreement
4. Use this as a “trial period” to see if you work well together
5. Communicate openly about your comfort level

A buyer broker agreement shouldn’t feel like a trap—it should feel like a mutual commitment to work together professionally, with terms that make sense for your specific situation.

The right agent will understand your hesitation and be happy to earn your trust one showing at a time.