1DAY
Our initial agreement covers one specified day, with the beginning and ending dates or times stated in the form.
A more comfortable first step for California homebuyers
Tour homes. Get to know your agent. No long-term commitment.
Buying a home is an important decision. Choosing the right real estate agent should be one, too. Today's rules generally require a written buyer agreement before we tour homes together—but that doesn't mean you need to commit to an agent you've never met for weeks or months.
For our first tour, I offer a one-day, nonexclusive agreement with a zero-day continuation period. We'll review it together before stepping into a home, and you can decide afterward whether you'd like to continue working with me.
Prefer email? danevans@firstteam.com- We can talk before signing
- You can read every term
- The choice to continue is yours
Why am I being asked to sign something just to see a home?
It's a reasonable question, especially if you've purchased a home before.
For many years, California homebuyers could generally meet an agent and tour available homes without first signing a buyer representation agreement. Written agreements existed, but a pre-tour agreement wasn't a widespread requirement.
That changed after the 2024 National Association of REALTORS® settlement. Starting August 17, 2024, participating MLS agents working with buyers generally needed written agreements before touring homes together. The agreements explain the services provided and how the agent would be compensated. They do not establish a fixed or legally required commission rate.
California separately enacted Assembly Bill 2992, effective January 1, 2025. It requires buyer-broker representation agreements as soon as practicable, but no later than when a buyer executes an offer. Additional California regulations effective January 1, 2026, presume that signing before an agent shows a property is practicable, subject to rebuttal.
These are related rules, but the NAR/MLS pre-tour practice and the California law are not worded identically.
- STEP 1
Before August 2024
Buyers generally could tour with an agent without a signed pre-tour agreement.
- STEP 2
August 17, 2024
NAR-related MLS practice changes begin requiring written agreements before qualifying tours for agents working with buyers.
- STEP 3
January 1, 2025
California's AB 2992 takes effect, requiring agreements as soon as practicable and no later than execution of a buyer's offer.
- STEP 4
January 1, 2026
California DRE regulations add a rebuttable presumption that obtaining a signed agreement before an agent shows a home is practicable.
Learn more: NAR's guide to written agreements (opens in a new tab) · California DRE consumer alert (opens in a new tab) · DRE's 2026 rules (opens in a new tab)
A first meeting should be just that—a first meeting
One day to meet. Freedom to choose what comes next.
You shouldn't feel pressured to choose your agent for an extended period before you've even met in person. My first-tour arrangement is intentionally simple:
NONEXCLUSIVE
You aren't agreeing to work exclusively with me. You retain the freedom to consider other real estate professionals, subject to the terms of any agreement you sign.
0DAY CONTINUATION
The initial agreement will have a zero-day continuation period—there is no additional post-expiration continuation window for properties shown under that agreement.
The agreement is binding during its stated term. A zero-day continuation period does not cancel compensation or other obligations that may arise while the agreement is active, including if a purchase contract is entered into during that period. We'll review the written terms before you sign.
What the first day looks like
A simple process, with no surprises.
- 1
Let's get acquainted.
We can speak by phone, meet for coffee, or talk before the showing. You don't need to sign an agreement just to ask questions, discuss your plans or decide whether I'm a good fit.
- 2
Review the one-day agreement together.
Before we begin touring homes together, I'll explain the broker-approved one-day, nonexclusive agreement: what services it covers, the properties or scope covered, compensation terms, the exact expiration and its zero-day continuation period. Take time to read and ask anything you'd like.
- 3
Tour, then decide.
We'll see the homes and discuss what matters most to you. If you'd like to continue working together, we'll talk about a new agreement separately. The first agreement won't automatically turn into a long-term exclusive commitment.
The written agreement is signed before a qualifying showing—not before a phone call or meeting.
“My goal isn't to earn a signature before we've met. It's to earn your confidence after we have.”
When you're ready to make an offer
How does buyer-agent compensation work?
When you're ready to purchase a home, your agent's compensation is one of the terms that can be negotiated as part of the transaction.
In California, it's common for buyers to request that the seller pay their buyer-agent compensation as part of the purchase agreement. The California Residential Purchase Agreement specifically provides a place to request this payment from the seller.
This arrangement continues to be commonly negotiated in our Southern California real estate market following the 2024 NAR settlement. The seller is not required to agree, and all broker compensation is negotiable.
My approach is to request seller-paid compensation as part of the offer, so that my buyers aren't unexpectedly responsible for an additional out-of-pocket commission.
What is paragraph 3G(3) of the purchase agreement?
The California Residential Purchase Agreement (C.A.R. form RPA) includes a section where the buyer can ask the seller to pay some or all of the buyer's broker compensation. Paragraph 3G(3) is where that request is written into your offer. The seller can accept, counter or decline it, just like other terms of the offer. C.A.R. forms release (opens in a new tab)
What if the seller won't pay the commission?
If the seller isn't willing to cover my agreed buyer-broker compensation, I don't want you feeling obligated to pay an unexpected commission out of pocket.
My approach is to include a written provision in our buyer representation agreement that allows you to terminate our representation before a purchase agreement is mutually accepted, if the seller won't cover the agreed compensation and you do not wish to pay the difference.
Under that provision, you can choose not to proceed with our representation for that transaction without owing my brokerage the commission or a cancellation fee, according to the signed terms.
We'll discuss those terms before signing, so you understand your options from the beginning.
This protection applies when it is written into your signed, broker-approved representation agreement. Ending representation doesn't undo obligations that have already arisen under the signed terms.
Learn more: California DRE licensee advisory (opens in a new tab) · NAR guide to negotiating a buyer agreement (opens in a new tab)
What you should know before signing
A clear agreement should answer clear questions.
Length
How long does it last?
The first-tour agreement is for one stated day, not months.
Nonexclusivity
Is it exclusive?
No. Our initial agreement is nonexclusive.
Zero-day continuation
Is there a carryover period?
No additional continuation window: zero days.
Services / properties
What does the agent do?
The showing and representation services covered by the signed form will be specified.
Seller-paid compensation
Can the seller pay my agent?
It can be requested in your offer. California's purchase agreement provides a place for it, and the seller may agree or decline. All broker compensation is negotiable.
How seller-paid compensation worksThis website is an explanation, not the contract. The precise scope, fees, timing and legal obligations are determined by the agreement you sign.
Common questions
Questions buyers often ask.
Do I have to sign an agreement before we even meet?
No. We can meet, have a phone call and discuss your home search before you sign. If I'm working with you as your buyer's agent for a qualifying property tour, a written agreement is generally required before the tour begins.
Am I committing to you for months?
No. Our first-tour agreement is for one day, is nonexclusive, and has a zero-day continuation period. If you'd like to work together afterward, we'd discuss a separate agreement.
Can I work with another agent afterward?
Yes. Our first-tour agreement is nonexclusive, and it has no continuation window after its expiration. Any obligations arising during its active term still depend on the exact signed language, so we'll cover that before touring.
Does zero-day continuation mean the agreement isn't binding?
No. It is a real contract during the one-day period. Zero-day continuation means there isn't an additional post-expiration continuation window. For example, a purchase agreement entered into while our representation agreement is in effect may carry obligations that remain relevant at closing. We'll explain those details rather than ask you to assume there are none.
Does signing the one-day agreement mean I owe a commission just for touring?
No commission is automatically due simply because we toured homes. The signed agreement explains when compensation could be earned. If you decide to make an offer, my approach is to request that the seller pay it.
Can the seller pay my buyer-agent commission?
Yes. It's common in California for buyers to request seller-paid compensation in the purchase agreement, and it continues to be commonly negotiated in Southern California. The seller isn't required to agree, and all broker compensation is negotiable. How compensation works
What if the seller refuses to pay my agent?
My approach is to include a written provision in our representation agreement that lets you terminate our representation before a purchase agreement is mutually accepted, without owing my brokerage the commission or a cancellation fee, according to the signed terms. Read more
What if I want to write an offer?
We'll make sure representation, compensation, agency disclosures and any necessary additional documents are reviewed and agreed upon before the offer is executed. A first-tour agreement isn't a promise that it covers every later service.
Can I visit an open house on my own without signing?
Generally, yes. You do not need to sign a buyer agreement simply to visit an open house independently when the hosting agent is acting for the seller, or just to ask an agent about their services. That is different from touring with a real estate professional who is working as your buyer's agent. NAR explains the open-house exception (opens in a new tab).
Can I see the agreement before we meet?
Of course. Ask and I'll arrange for you to review the broker-approved form before the tour. You're welcome to ask about any term before deciding whether to sign.
The agent behind the agreement
Let's meet before you decide.
Dan Evans
Broker Associate, First Team Real Estate
Experience. Integrity. Results.
I'm Dan Evans, Broker Associate with First Team Real Estate. I've worked in California real estate for more than two decades, helping people navigate important decisions about buying and selling homes.
I believe trust is earned through straightforward conversations, experience, and good service—not by pressuring someone into a long commitment at the first showing.
Agent DRE #01324544
Let's start with a conversation.
You can ask me anything about the new rules or the first-tour agreement before we see a home together. If we decide to tour, I'll explain the one-day, nonexclusive agreement and its zero-day continuation period before you sign.
Let's talk before we tour. I'll explain the one-day, nonexclusive agreement, how we can request seller-paid compensation, and the written exit option if the seller refuses.
Dan Evans | 949-412-2264 | danevans@firstteam.com
Visit DanEvansHomes.com (opens in a new tab)
Official sources
- NAR consumer guide to written buyer agreements (opens in a new tab)
- NAR guide to negotiating a written buyer agreement (opens in a new tab)
- California DRE consumer alert (opens in a new tab)
- California DRE licensee advisory on buyer representation (opens in a new tab)
- 2026 adopted DRE regulations (§§2906.1–2906.3) (opens in a new tab)
- C.A.R. December 2024 forms release (opens in a new tab)