What we verified in “How to choose a real estate agent to buy a home”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, many people work with a real estate agent to shop for homes; it recommends choosing an agent with strong experience in your preferred neighborhoods, price range and type of home, and in other factors that matter to you; it says real estate websites can connect you with an agent, but many make money through advertisements from agents; it suggests asking the agent for references and checking your state's licensing agency (sometimes called the Department of Real Estate) for disciplinary actions on the agent's record; and it says many buyers feel obliged to work with a relative or friend who is an agent, but buying a home is one of the most important investments you will make and you need someone with the experience to do the best job, who may or may not be that relative or friend.

   Sources 1 · Find the right home (page last modified December 12, 2024): 'Consider working with a real estate agent'; 'Many people work with a real estate agent to shop for homes'; 'Choose an agent who has strong experience with your preferred neighborhoods, price range, type of home, and other factors that are important to you'; 'Real estate websites can also help you find a home or connect you with an agent'; 'Keep in mind many of these websites make money through advertisements from agents'; 'Ask the agent you're considering for references'; 'Also check your state's licensing agency (sometimes called the Department of Real Estate) to see if there are disciplinary actions on the agent's record'; 'Many homebuyers feel an obligation to work with a family member or friend who is a real estate agent'; 'Remember that buying a home is one of the most important investments you'll make'; 'which may or may not be your family member or friend' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. According to the CFPB, real estate agents can represent the buyer or the seller, and sometimes both; state laws can require your agent to tell you who they represent and on what terms; and it suggests asking, for example, whether your agent keeps your conversations confidential, how they are paid, and how the agent or brokerage would handle it if you like a home whose seller they also represent.

   Sources 1 · Find the right home, 'Know who your real estate agent represents': 'Real estate agents can represent the buyer or the seller, and sometimes both'; 'State laws can require your real estate agent to tell you who they are representing and under what terms'; 'Find out, for example, whether your agent keeps your conversations confidential and how they are compensated'; 'How would the agent or brokerage company handle the situation if you find a home you like, and the agent or brokerage company also represents the seller of that home?' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. According to the CFPB, it is a good idea to make your purchase offer and sales contract contingent on getting financing and on a satisfactory inspection, so that if you cannot get a loan or the inspection turns up serious flaws you are not contractually required to buy the home; and it says settlement agents, including attorneys, who are independent from the other real estate professionals involved might offer lower costs and objective advice.

   Sources 1 · Find the right home, 'Research and contact closing service providers' and 'You can make a plan for contingencies': 'Settlement agents, including attorneys, who are independent from the other real estate professionals involved might offer you lower costs as well as objective advice along the way'; 'make your purchase offer and sales contract contingent on obtaining financing and contingent on a satisfactory inspection'; 'you're not contractually required to buy the home' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. According to the CFPB's 'Your home loan toolkit', in most of the country a settlement agent does your closing; the home inspector works for you; an inspector is different from an appraiser, who is an independent professional whose job is to give the lender an estimate of the home's market value; and to compare closing agents it suggests asking your real estate professional and your friends which companies they recommend.

   Sources 2 · Your home loan toolkit, section 2, pp. 15–16: 'In most of the country, a settlement agent does your closing'; 'Ask your real estate professional and your friends'; 'The inspector works for you'; 'A home inspector is different from a home appraiser'; 'The appraiser is an independent professional whose job is to give the lender an estimate of the home's market value' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. The CFPB says that even if a real estate agent or homebuilder has a preferred lender, you should still look for a better deal: you can and should shop around.

   Sources 3 · Contact multiple lenders (page last modified July 14, 2025): 'Even if a real estate agent or homebuilder has a preferred lender, still look for a better deal'; 'you can and should shop around to make sure you're getting the best deal' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. According to the CFPB, lenders or real estate agents might recommend providers they have a relationship with, but those providers might not offer the best deal, and you can often save money by shopping around for closing services.

   Sources 4 · Shop for title insurance and other closing services (last modified December 12, 2024): 'Lenders or real estate agents might recommend providers they have a relationship with, but those providers might not offer the best deal'; 'You can often save money by shopping around for closing services' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. Under Regulation X (RESPA), an affiliated business arrangement does not violate section 8 of RESPA only if certain conditions are met: the person making the referral must give you a written disclosure, on a separate piece of paper and no later than the referral, of the relationship (the ownership and financial interest) with the provider and an estimate of its charges; and the person referring you must not have required you to use a particular provider, with some exceptions for a lender.

   Sources 5 · 12 CFR §1024.15(b): 'An affiliated business arrangement is not a violation of section 8 of RESPA'; 'has provided to each person whose business is referred a written disclosure'; 'of the nature of the relationship (explaining the ownership and financial interest)'; 'an estimated charge or range of charges generally made by such provider'; 'The disclosures must be provided on a separate piece of paper no later than the time of each referral'; 'No person making a referral has required'; 'except if such person is a lender' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. In California, the Department of Real Estate (DRE) consumer page lets you verify an agent's or broker's license, view disciplinary actions taken against licensees for violations of the Real Estate Law and learn how to file a complaint.

   Sources 6 · California Department of Real Estate, Consumers: 'Verify a License'; 'Find a real estate agent or broker'; 'View disciplinary actions taken against licensees and individuals for violations of the Real Estate Law'; 'The complaint process, DRE's jurisdiction, and how to file a complaint' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. In Texas, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has a License Holder Search that covers brokers and sales agents, and a way to file a complaint if you believe there was a violation of the Real Estate License Act or TREC rules.

   Sources 7 · Texas Real Estate Commission, License Holder Search: 'License Holder Search'; 'Broker or Sales Agent'; 'If you feel there has been a violation of The Real Estate License Act, or TREC rules' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. In the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) settlement agreement filed in federal court, NAR agreed to require that member agents who participate in an MLS and work with a buyer sign a written agreement with that buyer before the buyer tours any home; if the agent will receive compensation from any source, the agreement must specify and conspicuously disclose the amount or rate, or how it will be determined; the amount must be objectively ascertainable and not open-ended; and the agent may not receive more from any source than what was agreed with the buyer.

    Sources 8 · Corrected Settlement Agreement, Burnett v. National Association of REALTORS (Document 1458-1, filed April 19, 2024), paragraph 58(vi): 'MLS Participants working with a buyer enter into a written agreement before the buyer tours any home'; 'the agreement must specify and conspicuously disclose the amount or rate of compensation it will receive or how this amount will be determined'; 'objectively ascertainable and may not be open-ended'; 'may not receive compensation for brokerage services from any source that exceeds the amount or rate agreed to in the agreement with the buyer' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. In the same agreement, NAR agreed to require its agents to tell sellers and buyers, in conspicuous language, that broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable, and to prohibit offers of compensation to buyer brokers on the MLS.

    Sources 8 · Corrected Settlement Agreement, paragraph 58(ii) ('making offers of compensation on the MLS to buyer brokers or other buyer representatives') and 58(ix) ('disclose to prospective sellers and buyers in conspicuous language that broker commissions are not set'; 'by law and are fully negotiable') · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to NAR, an MLS is a local marketplace that buyer and listing brokers use to share information about homes for sale; the seller may agree to offer compensation to your agent, but that offer cannot be shared on the MLS; you can still accept concessions from the seller, such as offers to pay your closing costs; you do not need a written agreement just to talk to an agent at an open house or ask about their services; and your agent's compensation remains fully negotiable.

    Sources 9 · Homebuyers: What the NAR Settlement Means for You: 'The seller may agree to offer compensation to your agent'; 'the offer cannot be shared on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)'; 'MLSs are local marketplaces used by both buyer brokers and listing brokers to share information about properties for sale'; 'You can still accept concessions from the seller, such as offers to pay your closing costs'; 'You do not need a written agreement if you are just speaking to an agent at an open house or asking them about their services'; 'Compensation for your agent remains fully negotiable' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. According to NAR's guide to written buyer agreements, the agreement should clearly spell out the services the agent will provide the buyer, and NAR does not dictate what they are: they may include, for example, a certain number of showings, negotiations or presenting offers.

    Sources 10 · Written Buyer Agreements 101: 'Agreements should clearly articulate the services the MLS Participant will provide buyer'; 'NAR Policy Will Not Dictate'; 'a certain number of showings, negotiations, presenting offers' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. Under the Fair Housing Act, it is illegal, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin, to refuse to sell after a bona fide offer or refuse to negotiate a sale; to discriminate in the terms, conditions or privileges of a sale, or in related services; or to tell someone a home is not available for inspection or sale when it is; the law also prohibits discrimination in a sale because of a disability.

    Sources 11 · 42 U.S.C. §3604(a): 'To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of'; 'because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin'; (b): 'in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith'; (d): 'that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available'; (f)(1): 'To discriminate in the sale or rental, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a handicap' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under HUD's fair housing regulation, unlawful steering practices include discouraging a person from inspecting or buying a home because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin; discouraging a purchase by exaggerating drawbacks or failing to mention desirable features of a home or neighborhood; and telling a buyer they would not be comfortable with the residents of a neighborhood for those same reasons.

    Sources 12 · 24 CFR §100.70(c): 'which are generally referred to as unlawful steering practices'; 'Discouraging any person from inspecting, purchasing or renting a dwelling because of'; 'by exaggerating drawbacks or failing to inform any person of desirable features of a dwelling or of a community, neighborhood, or development'; 'Communicating to any prospective purchaser that he or she would not be comfortable or compatible with existing residents of a community, neighborhood or development' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. Under the Fair Housing Act, an aggrieved person may file a complaint with HUD no later than one year after the discriminatory housing practice occurred or ended.

    Sources 13 · 42 U.S.C. §3610(a)(1)(A)(i): 'not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated, file a complaint with the Secretary' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. The CFPB's 'Your home loan toolkit' says the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibit housing and credit discrimination, and that you can file a complaint with HUD by calling (800) 669-9777.

    Sources 2 · Your home loan toolkit, section 1, 'Handle problems', p. 13: 'The Fair Housing Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibit'; 'housing and credit discrimination'; 'Submit a complaint to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by calling (800) 669-9777' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. HUD-approved housing counselors give independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults and credit, often at little or no cost.

    Sources 14 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'they can offer independent advice, often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026