Buying a home is exciting.

At the same time, it can feel overwhelming.

There are pre-approval letters, home tours, inspections, offers, and contracts. Then, somewhere along the way, your real estate broker may ask you to sign a Buyer Agency Agreement.

You may read through it and think, “Okay, where do I sign?”

Before doing that, take a few minutes to understand what you are agreeing to.

A Buyer Agency Agreement is more than paperwork. It explains the relationship between you and your real estate broker. It also outlines the services your broker will provide and how compensation works.

Most importantly, the agreement gives you a chance to ask questions before you are in the middle of buying a home.

What Is a Buyer Agency Agreement?

A Buyer Agency Agreement is a written agreement between you and your real estate firm.

Think of it as a roadmap for your working relationship.

The agreement explains who your broker represents, what services your broker will provide, how long the relationship will last, and how compensation works.

As a result, both you and your broker have a clearer understanding of what to expect.

Why Do Buyers Need One?

The purpose is not to make buying a home more complicated.

Instead, the agreement creates clarity from the beginning.

You should know who is representing you. In addition, you should understand what your broker will do for you and what you may be responsible for.

That way, everyone starts the relationship with the same expectations.

What Are You Actually Agreeing To?

This is the part buyers should pay close attention to.

Before signing, take a look at the major sections of the agreement. If something is unclear, stop and ask questions.

How Long Does the Agreement Last?

Your agreement will have a specific term.

Make sure you know the start date and end date. If you’re unsure about the length, ask your broker to explain it.

There is no reason to rush through something you don’t understand.

Is the Agreement Exclusive?

Another important section explains the type of relationship you are entering into with your broker.

Take a moment to understand what the terms mean for you. If you’re not sure, ask your broker to explain the difference.

Understanding this section can help prevent confusion later.

How Does Compensation Work?

Compensation is another section that deserves your attention.

Real estate compensation is negotiable. It can also be structured in different ways.

Your agreement should explain the compensation your real estate firm has agreed to receive. It should also explain how that compensation may be paid.

Most importantly, make sure you understand what you could be responsible for paying.

For example, ask your broker to walk through the compensation using actual numbers. That can make the agreement much easier to understand.

What If the Seller Is Offering Less Than We Agreed To?

This is one of the questions I think every buyer should ask.

For example, let’s say your Buyer Agency Agreement states that your broker’s compensation is 2.5%.

Now you find a home where the seller is offering 2% toward buyer broker compensation.

What happens to the remaining 0.5%?

The answer depends on the terms of your Buyer Agency Agreement and the offer you negotiate with the seller.

The seller’s offer does not automatically change the compensation you agreed to with your broker. If there is a difference, your agreement may explain whether you could be responsible for the remaining amount.

That is why it is important to understand this before making an offer.

Ask your broker to walk you through a real example. A simple conversation can help prevent an unexpected expense later.

One question to ask is:

“If we agree that my broker’s compensation is 2.5%, but the seller is only offering 2%, what happens to the difference?”

You should know the answer before signing the agreement and before making an offer.

What If the Seller Is Not Offering Buyer Broker Compensation?

This is another important question to discuss.

Not every seller will offer compensation toward the buyer’s broker.

If that happens, you should understand how your Buyer Agency Agreement handles the situation. Your broker should be able to explain your options and any potential cost to you.

Rather than making assumptions, ask questions early.

That conversation can help you understand your options before you find the house you want to buy.

What Are You Getting From Your Broker?

The agreement is not only about compensation.

It also explains the services your broker provides.

Your buyer’s agent may help you:

• Search for homes
• Schedule showings
• Review property information
• Write and negotiate offers
• Coordinate inspections
• Track important deadlines
• Communicate with the listing broker
• Guide you through the closing process

Throughout the transaction, your broker is there to help you navigate the process.

However, your broker is not the only professional you may need.

For example, a home inspector evaluates the condition of the home. Your lender handles your financing. Other specialists may also be needed for roofing, sewer lines, septic systems, or structural concerns.

Your real estate broker is part of your team. They are not the entire team.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

You don’t need to know every answer before meeting with your broker.

However, you should feel comfortable asking questions.

Here are a few I recommend:

• What services will you provide for me?
• How will you be compensated?
• Could I owe money if the seller does not offer compensation?
• What if the seller offers less than the compensation we agreed to?
• How long does the agreement last?
• Is the agreement exclusive or nonexclusive?
• What happens if I decide not to buy?
• How can the agreement be terminated?

These are smart questions to ask.

More importantly, you should feel comfortable discussing the answers with your broker.

The Goal Isn’t to Avoid the Agreement

Some buyers may feel nervous when they first hear the words Buyer Agency Agreement.

That’s understandable.

However, the goal should not be to avoid signing an agreement simply because it sounds complicated.

Instead, the goal is to understand what you’re signing.

A good buyer-broker relationship should feel clear. You should know what your broker will do for you and how compensation works.

You should also understand what could happen if the seller’s offered compensation is less than the amount you agreed to with your broker.

Kolleen’s Perspective

I don’t expect buyers to understand every line of a real estate agreement on their own.

That’s why I believe these conversations are important.

Before you sign, I want you to understand what the agreement means, how I will work for you, and how compensation works.

If something doesn’t make sense, ask.

There is no such thing as a bad question when you’re making one of the largest financial decisions of your life.

The goal isn’t simply to get a signature. The goal is to make sure you feel comfortable with the agreement you’re signing.

Buying a home is exciting.

It is also one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make.

That’s why many buyers hire a professional home inspector before closing.

A home inspection is an important step. However, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

One inspection that buyers often overlook is a sewer scope inspection.

Although it isn’t needed for every home, it can uncover hidden problems that may cost thousands of dollars to repair.

What Is a Sewer Scope Inspection?

A sewer scope inspection is exactly what it sounds like.

A licensed plumber uses a small waterproof camera to inspect the sewer line that connects the home to the city sewer system.

The camera travels through the underground pipe and records its condition.

As a result, buyers can see problems that are impossible to spot during a standard home inspection.

Why Isn’t It Included in a Home Inspection?

This surprises many buyers.

A general home inspection focuses on the home’s visible systems and components.

For example, your inspector checks the roof, electrical system, plumbing fixtures, heating and cooling systems, windows, doors, and foundation.

However, they usually cannot see inside an underground sewer pipe.

Because of this, a separate sewer scope inspection may be recommended, especially for certain homes.

What Problems Can a Sewer Scope Find?

A sewer camera can reveal issues before they become expensive surprises.

For example, it may find:

• Tree root intrusion
• Cracked or broken pipes
• Offset pipe joints
• Standing water in the line
• Grease or debris buildup
• Pipe deterioration
• Partial blockages

Finding these problems before closing gives buyers the opportunity to understand the condition of the sewer line and discuss possible solutions during the inspection period.

Which Homes Should Have a Sewer Scope?

Every home is different.

However, a sewer scope is often worth considering if:

• The home is older.
• Large trees are near the property.
• The sewer line has never been inspected.
• There are signs of slow drainage.
• You simply want extra peace of mind.

Even newer homes can have sewer line issues.

Construction debris, damaged pipes, or installation problems sometimes occur during the building process.

Because of that, age isn’t the only factor to consider.

How Much Could a Sewer Repair Cost?

Repair costs vary depending on the problem.

Some repairs may be relatively minor.

Others may require replacing part or all of the sewer line.

In some cases, those repairs can cost several thousand dollars or more.

That’s why many buyers view a sewer scope as inexpensive insurance compared to the potential cost of an unexpected repair.

Is a Sewer Scope Worth It?

Only you can decide if the inspection makes sense for your situation.

However, many buyers appreciate having as much information as possible before making a final decision.

A sewer scope provides another piece of the puzzle.

It can help you understand the condition of one of the home’s most important systems before you become the owner.

Kolleen’s Local Insight

One thing I always remind buyers is this:

It’s easy to notice beautiful countertops, new flooring, or fresh paint.

It’s much harder to notice what’s happening underground.

A sewer line isn’t something most people think about when touring a home.

However, if there’s a problem, it can become one of the most expensive repairs a homeowner faces.

That’s why I believe it’s worth having a conversation about whether a sewer scope makes sense for the home you’re considering.

My goal is to help buyers make informed decisions with as few surprises as possible.

Did You Know?

Many sewer lines can function for decades without any problems. However, issues such as tree roots, shifting soil, aging materials, or damaged joints often develop below ground where they can’t be seen during a traditional home inspection. A sewer scope is one of the few ways to evaluate the condition of the line before you buy.

You find the perfect home.

Then you read the remarks and see one word:

Bumpable.

Many buyers assume the home is already sold.

As a result, they move on to the next listing.

However, that may be a mistake.

A bumpable home can still be an excellent opportunity. In fact, many buyers successfully purchase homes that were once marked as bumpable.

Let’s take a closer look at what that term means.

What Does “Bumpable” Mean?

A bumpable home already has an accepted offer.

However, that offer usually includes a contingency. In many cases, the buyer must sell their current home before they can complete the purchase.

Because of that contingency, the seller may continue to market the property.

If another buyer submits an acceptable offer, the seller may have the right to notify the first buyer that they must remove their contingency within a specific time period or risk losing the home. The exact process depends on the terms of the purchase agreement.

Why Would a Seller Accept a Bumpable Offer?

Selling a home is all about balancing risk and opportunity.

Sometimes, a seller receives an offer from a buyer who needs to sell their current home first.

Instead of rejecting the offer, the seller may accept it while keeping the option to consider other buyers.

As a result, the seller can continue moving toward a sale without completely closing the door on stronger offers.

Should You Still Look at a Bumpable Home?

Absolutely.

Many buyers skip bumpable homes because they assume they have no chance.

However, real estate transactions change every day.

For example, financing can fall through.

A home inspection may uncover unexpected issues.

In addition, a buyer’s home may not sell as planned.

Because of this, some bumpable homes become available again.

If you love the property, it may still be worth seeing.

What Happens If You Make an Offer?

Every situation is different.

In some cases, your offer may become a backup offer.

In other situations, your offer could require the first buyer to decide whether to remove their contingency.

Either way, your offer may put you in a strong position if the first transaction does not move forward.

Is There Any Risk?

Like any offer, there are things to consider.

For example, you may spend time preparing an offer without knowing whether the first buyer will complete the purchase.

Even so, if the home checks all the boxes, many buyers feel the opportunity is worth the effort.

Your REALTOR® can explain the process and help you decide whether submitting an offer makes sense.

Don’t Rule Out a Great Home

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is ignoring bumpable properties.

The home may still become available.

In fact, backup offers are accepted more often than many people realize.

That’s why it’s important to keep an open mind.

If a home fits your needs, it is still worth taking a look.

Kolleen’s Perspective

I always encourage my buyers to ask questions before crossing a home off their list.

A bumpable property is not the same as a sold property.

Every transaction is different. Sometimes the first contract closes without any issues. Other times, circumstances change.

Because of that, I believe buyers should focus on finding the right home rather than making assumptions based on one word in the listing.

If you’re searching for a home in Southwest Washington, I’d be happy to explain how bumpable properties work and help you decide whether making an offer is the right move for your situation.

Finding the right home starts with finding the right agent.

Many buyers begin their search by reading online reviews.

That’s a smart place to start.

However, reviews only tell part of the story.

Buying a home is more than opening doors and writing offers. The right buyer’s agent can make a significant difference throughout the process.

Reviews Don’t Show How an Agent Negotiates

Negotiation matters.

Price is only one piece of the conversation.

An experienced buyer’s agent may also negotiate:

• Closing costs
• Inspection repairs
• Seller credits
• Possession dates
• Interest rate buy-downs

These details can save buyers thousands of dollars.

Reviews Don’t Show How an Agent Protects Buyers

A buyer’s agent helps clients look beyond paint colors and staging.

They help buyers think about:

• Resale value
• Neighborhood trends
• Future maintenance
• Market conditions
• Contract deadlines

The best buyer’s agents often help clients avoid problems before they happen.

Communication Matters During Competitive Markets

In a fast-moving market, timing matters.

Questions arise quickly.

Deadlines arrive fast.

Because of this, buyers benefit from an agent who is responsive and proactive.

Reviews don’t always tell you how an agent communicates when things become stressful.

Local Knowledge Can Make a Difference

Every community has its own personality.

Camas feels different from Washougal.

Battle Ground feels different from Ridgefield.

An agent with local experience can help buyers understand:

• Neighborhood differences
• School boundaries
• Commute patterns
• Future development plans
• Local market trends

That information often becomes just as important as the home itself.

Reviews Are Helpful—But Ask Questions Too

Reviews can provide valuable information.

However, they shouldn’t be your only decision-making tool.

Consider asking:

• How long have you worked in this market?
• How do you help buyers compete?
• What does your process look like?
• How do you communicate during a transaction?

The answers often reveal much more than a star rating.

My Advice

Read the reviews.

Then schedule a conversation.

The right buyer’s agent isn’t always the one with the most reviews.

It’s the person who listens, communicates clearly, and helps you make confident decisions throughout the process.

As a REALTOR® serving Camas, Washougal, Vancouver, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, and communities throughout Clark County, I believe buyers deserve guidance, advocacy, and honest advice from the first showing to closing day and beyond.