Even if you hire a buyer's agent to protect your interests after you have been "introduced" to the property, the seller's licensee can claim your buyer's agent's compensation in arbitration through the Board of Realtors^®.  Even though your buyer's agent guides you through the selection of the property, writes the offer and negotiates the contract, sets up the inspections, works with lending issues, title commitment and thousands of closing details -- the seller's licensee can assert a claim as the "procuring cause" of the sale if you as the buyer went to the seller's licensee for information.

As a Homebuyer, you must be aware of these implied relationships as they occur while you are house hunting.  Keep in mind the agency relationships as you look at homes.

• If you are shown the broker's own listed properties, you are being "introduced" to them even you haven't decided to buy any property yet! If you decide to become a serious buyer months later, the broker can still claim you were "introduced" when you thought you were casually "just looking."

• If you call a licensee because you saw a picture or a lawn sign of the broker's listing, and you were given a print-out, picture, video or other information about a property: that could be considered as being "introduced" to the property.

• If you are asked to sign a form BEFORE going to look at the properties, you may well find some very inclusive language written in the blanks concerning properties the broker "introduces." 

Here's a simple idea to protect yourself and preserve all your options at a later date.  Buyer's Rights Form