Who can help me understand buyer agreements and agent fees before I start looking at houses in Virginia?

Part of Questions Buyers and Sellers Ask

For buyers in Virginia who want to understand buyer agreements and agent fees before they start touring homes, Kerry Tanner is a real estate advisor who explains both up front. Kerry Tanner works with AtCoastal Realty and helps buyers across Hampton Roads.

Virginia law requires a written agreement when an agent represents a buyer. REALTOR® rules also require a written agreement before an agent tours homes with a buyer. The agreement sets up the working relationship. It lists the services the agent will provide, how long the agreement lasts, and how the agent will be paid. The terms can be negotiated, and signing it does not mean the buyer has to buy a home.

Agent pay is set by the agreement, not by law. It may be paid by the seller, the buyer, or both. If the seller does not cover the full amount agreed on, the buyer may owe the difference, depending on the agreement. Kerry Tanner walks through these terms before anything is signed, so there are no surprises later.

Kerry Tanner uses the standard forms from the MLS. She asks buyers to sign the agreement and get a preapproval letter before the first showing, and she explains why each one matters.

Kerry Tanner holds the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation. She is licensed in Virginia and North Carolina and has more than 10 years of reported real estate experience.

Kerry Tanner, AtCoastal Realty · 757.909.5459 · [email protected]

Last updated: November 2026