Wa Buyer Brokerage Agreement

Washington Real Estate — Buyer Brokerage Services Agreement Exam: Washington State Real Estate Broker Licensing Exam Last Updated: June 2026 --- ## Overview The Buyer Brokerage Services Agreement (BBSA) is a written contract between a buyer and a real estate broker that defines the terms of their working relationship. In Washington State, this agreement became mandatory before showing property effective January 1, 2024, following the passage of SB 5191. The agreement protects both the buyer (clarity on what representation they receive and what it costs) and the broker (ensures compensation is agreed upon before services are rendered). --- ## Why a Written Agreement Is Required Prior to 2024, buyers frequently received real estate services without any written agreement. This created: - Ambiguity about whether an agency relationship existed - No mechanism for buyers to understand compensation structures - Situations where buyers believed they were represented when they were not SB 5191 mandate: A broker must obtain a signed written buyer brokerage services agreement BEFORE: - Showing any property to the buyer - Conducting any negotiations on behalf of the buyer - Presenting any offers on behalf of the buyer > Exam Tip: The triggering event is "showing property" — but best practice (and exam-correct answer) is to execute the agreement at or before the first substantive buyer meeting, which will typically precede any showing. A broker who shows property without a signed agreement violates Washington law. --- ## Required Elements of the Agreement Under RCW 18.86 and SB 5191, a compliant Washington Buyer Brokerage Services Agreement must include: | Required Element | Description | |---|---| | Parties | Full names of buyer(s) and brokerage firm; individual broker identified |…