Buying a Home in Cincinnati? Here’s How I Work | Abby Burton

Let's Talk About How We'll Work Together

If you've started looking at homes lately, you've probably noticed that every agent asks you to sign something before you tour. That isn't a sales tactic. In Ohio, buyers working with an agent are required to sign a written agency agreement before touring a home or making an offer. So I'd rather walk you through exactly what you're signing, why, and what you can expect from me in return.

First, a little about how I work. My favorite part of this job is the matchmaking. I love figuring out not just which house fits you, but which area fits the way you want to live. I'll ask about your commute, whether you want sidewalks for evening walks, a yard big enough for a garden, a quiet street or one close to the action, room for a home office, and how close you want to be to trails, parks, coffee shops, restaurants, or the farmers market. Then I'll show you the neighborhoods and homes that line up with what you told me.

What I won't do is tell you where you should or shouldn't live based on who lives there. Fair housing laws exist for good reason, and I take them seriously. If things like school information or crime data matter to you, I'll point you to the sources so you can look into them yourself and decide what feels right for you.

Step One: The Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships

Before our first tour, I'll ask you to sign a document called the Consumer Guide to Agency Relationships. It's a short guide from my brokerage, Real of Ohio, that explains the different ways an agent can work with you: representing sellers, representing buyers, and what happens in a dual agency situation, when the same agent or brokerage is involved on both sides of a sale.

Your signature on this one simply confirms you received it. It does not obligate you to work with me or with Real of Ohio. Think of it as the "here's how this all works" page before we get started, and please ask me anything that doesn't make sense.

Getting to Know Each Other: Property Specific Agreements

If we're just meeting, I don't expect you to commit to me right away. You should get to see how I communicate, how I prepare for a showing, and whether my advice is actually helpful before you decide anything bigger.

So for our first few tours, I'm happy to use what's called a Property Specific Buyer Representation Agreement. It covers one home, the one we're going to see, and I represent you only for that property. It still lists start and end dates and how I'm paid, just like any buyer agreement, so there are no surprises. One thing worth knowing: if you end up buying that specific house shortly after the agreement ends (within 60 days unless we write in something different), the agreement still applies to it.

I'm typically willing to do this two or three times. It's a low pressure way for both of us to see if we're a good fit.

Why I Ask for a Commitment After That

After two or three property specific tours, I'll ask you to sign an Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement, usually for at least a few months. Here's why.

A lot of what I do happens behind the scenes. Every showing I schedule, every listing I send your way, every market stat and comparable sale I pull, every call I make to a listing agent to find out what a seller really cares about, all of it takes my time and effort. I give that gladly, because I'm working for you. In return, I'd like to know you're committed to working with me too, and that you see value in what I bring to the table.

When you sign the exclusive agreement, I become your agent for your home search as a whole, not just one address. Legally, I owe you loyalty, confidentiality, honest disclosure, and my best effort in finding and negotiating for the right home. On your side, it means:

• You work with me on any home you buy during our agreement
• You let open house hosts, builders, and for sale by owner sellers know you're represented by me
• You keep me in the loop so I can advocate for you at every step

The agreement also spells out how I'm paid. Commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable, and they can be paid by the buyer, the seller, or a combination. We'll talk through all of it before you sign, including asking the seller to cover some or all of my fee.

What If It's Not Working?

This hasn't happened yet, and I hope it never does. But if you ever find you're not enjoying working with me, here's what I ask.

First, tell me. Give me some honest, constructive feedback and a chance to fix it. Maybe you want more frequent updates, fewer listings in your inbox, a text instead of a phone call, or more context on why I'm recommending a certain offer strategy. Most of the time it's something we can adjust easily, and I'd much rather know than have you quietly frustrated.

Second, if that doesn't work, or you'd rather not go that route, you can ask to end our buyer agreement at any time. Canceling it takes a simple written agreement signed by you, me, and my brokerage, and I'm not going to hold anyone to a working relationship they no longer want. Just know that if you later buy a home I showed you, the agreement's terms may still apply to that home for a set number of days, which we'll fill in together when you sign.

Respect Goes Both Ways

Something many buyers don't realize is that agents can end the relationship too. I can choose to stop representing a client, and I have done it before, when a client treated me disrespectfully. That is something I will not tolerate.

I'll always treat you with kindness, honesty, and respect, even when the market is stressful and emotions run high (and buying a home can absolutely be emotional). All I ask is the same in return. The best home searches I've been part of felt like a true partnership, and that's what I want for us.

Ready to Start Looking?

If you're thinking about buying in Cincinnati, I'd love to hear what you're hoping for in your next home and the kind of day to day life you want around it. We'll grab a coffee, talk through these agreements so nothing feels confusing, and start building a search that fits you.

Email me at abbyburtonrealestate@gmail.com and let's find your fit.