Truly understand the buyer-broker agreement
Before you meet at the front door, know what you may be asked to sign. Learn what a brokerage-services agreement covers—and which questions to ask about the terms before you decide.
BEFORE THE SHOWING, FIND YOUR CLARITY
Before you schedule a showing,
get the whole picture.
Looking at homes is exciting. A little clarity now can make your next step feel easier.
Before you meet at the front door, understand what you may be asked to sign, explore potential savings, and see what homeownership could mean for your budget. Start with the questions that matter to you.
Three ways to feel more prepared ↓
Free tools and clear explanations. No signup to explore.
YOUR HOME. YOUR QUESTIONS. YOUR NEXT MOVE.An ace in your pocket.
Have you explored your potential savings?
Your occupation, eligible assistance programs, market conditions, and a property’s negotiation opportunities may make a difference. Explore seller-paid costs or an eligible rate buydown—potentially saving you thousands of dollars, depending on eligibility, the property, your loan, and negotiated terms. No savings amount is guaranteed.
Understand the real affordability of homeownership
Look beyond the mortgage payment. Consider taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, maintenance, repairs, and a budget that leaves you comfortable—not just what a lender might approve.
YOUR NEXT MOVE, WITH ADT Realty
From “I like this home” to an informed next step.
An ADT Realty buyer expert can explain representation, help compare offer terms, and guide you through the buying process. Start with answers—not a signup or a payment estimate.
01 / KNOW WHO REPRESENTS YOU
Before you meet at the front door, know what you may be asked to sign.
A buyer-broker agreement (BBA) describes the brokerage services and terms of working together. It is not a purchase contract and does not, by itself, require you to buy a home. Take time to understand it before you agree—not just because you drove out to see a property.
What should I understand before I sign?
Ask which services and properties are covered, how long the agreement lasts, whether it is exclusive, how compensation works, and how it can end. Discuss what you may owe if the seller does not contribute toward your agent’s fee.
Scope and duration can be negotiated. A single home, a short period, or a term such as 30 or 90 days are possibilities to discuss—not options every agent must offer. Cancellation and continuing obligations depend on the actual agreement and applicable rules.
Nonexclusive does not mean risk-free: overlapping agreements may still create compensation or other obligations. Read the terms before working with multiple agents. Compensation is negotiable, and simply meeting an agent does not automatically mean a commission is owed.
Does a first conversation commit me?
You can interview an agent about their services without signing a buyer agreement. Under NAR’s rules, an MLS participant working with you must have a written buyer agreement before an in-person or live virtual home tour. A conversation or an open-house visit on your own is different from arranging a tour with an agent working for you.
General education, not a substitute for reviewing your agreement. Requirements can vary by location. NAR consumer guide · Written agreements explained
02 / EXPLORE POTENTIAL SAVINGS
The asking price is not the only number worth discussing.
ADT Realty can help evaluate the home and your offer strategy, then negotiate terms with the seller. Here are three possibilities to explore—not promises of savings.
A seller may accept less than the asking price. ADT Realty can help assess comparable sales and offer terms; the seller decides what to accept.
A negotiated seller credit may cover eligible closing expenses, reducing the cash you need. Loan limits and your actual costs determine what can be used.
Ask your lender whether paying for a lower rate makes sense and whether a negotiated seller credit can help. Compare upfront costs, payment changes, and how long the benefit lasts.
No seller contribution, price reduction, interest rate, or savings amount is guaranteed. Options depend on seller agreement, the property, your loan, and lender/program eligibility. A lower rate can have an upfront cost; compare the full loan terms.
Learn more: CFPB guidance on points and lender credits.
03 / OUR FREE TOOLS
A payment estimate is only the beginning.
Plan for your down payment, closing costs, prepaids, inspections, and reserves—not just the monthly payment. ADT Realty helps you navigate the purchase process; your lender confirms financing and cash-to-close figures.
Before you tour, where are you with financing?
These optional answers help shape your next conversation. No preapproval is required to explore this page or send a showing request.
If you plan to finance, a lender can help clarify your loan options, estimated payment, and cash needed.
Preapproval is a lender’s tentative willingness to lend—not a guaranteed loan. It can help you prepare before making an offer.
Do not enter credit, income, account numbers, or upload financial documents here. Your answers remain in this tab only. CFPB: getting preapproved
Know what happens after the showing.
Review the home and disclosures, decide whether to make an offer, and understand inspection and financing deadlines. Your ADT Realty agent can explain the next decision and help keep the transaction moving; your original 15-step buying path keeps the bigger picture in view.
Consider a lender conversation before home shopping.
Prequalification can be a useful early estimate based on the information you provide. A preapproval generally involves a lender reviewing more information, but terminology varies and neither is a guaranteed loan. Ask what has been verified, what conditions remain, and when the estimate or letter expires.
If you would like help finding a place to start, ask ADT Realty about a lender connection. You choose your lender; these free tools and showing requests remain available without prequalification.
Put your questions next to your numbers.
Use the cash planner to organize an estimate, then review it with your lender. Explore freely here—there is no account required and no contact information is sent.
SHOWING REQUEST
What home would you like to see—and when?
ADT Realty will confirm availability. Demo only—no request is sent or time reserved.
START WITH THE HOME
What’s the price of the home?
Use the asking price or a price you’re considering. An estimate is okay.
This carries into your payment and savings estimates. Price alone does not tell us the property’s taxes, insurance, HOA fees, or which savings you qualify for.
In this review, your entry stays in this tab only.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
See the numbers. Get answers. Choose your next step.
IT’S OKAY TO START SMALL
Explore costs and potential savings.
Explore a price range, try a monthly payment, or check potential savings. No signup needed. When questions come up, ADT Realty is your next conversation.
YOUR NUMBERS, ONE STEP AT A TIME
Could this home fit your life?
Start with what you know. You can change the numbers later.
Estimate your monthly payment
Start with the price of a home you’re considering.
Planning rate—not a lender quote
No sign-up required to see your result.
Here’s your estimate.
A starting point based on your inputs. Let’s explore what could change your numbers.
Estimated monthly payment
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Principal & interest—
Taxes, insurance & estimated mortgage insurance—
Estimated cash to close, before any credits—
Down payment + illustrative closing costs of 2.5% of price. Actual costs vary.
Possible Savings—
Based on an estimated seller contribution of 2% of the home price toward eligible buying costs. Actual savings depend on the home, offer, and loan.
How close is this to what you’d actually pay?
Your loan options, taxes, insurance, and available savings can change the picture. ACE Buyer helps you explore those details for a clearer estimate of your monthly payment and cash needed to close.
A starting estimate—not your whole household budget.
Set aside room for property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, maintenance, repairs, and the rest of your life. This calculator does not include every ownership expense or determine loan eligibility. Choose a comfortable budget, then review financing with a lender.
Estimate your buying power
Use income and debts to estimate a working home-price range.
Total gross income before taxes
Available for down payment and closing
Educational estimate only—not a loan approval.
Estimated home price
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Estimated payment—
Estimated cash to close—
Illustrative savings scenario—
Example assumes a negotiated seller contribution of 2% of price. It is not a market forecast or an offer. Loan limits, seller agreement, and program eligibility apply.
See your potential savings
Start with a price and explore an example. Answer the questions to see which benefits to discuss with ADT Realty; eligibility is not confirmed here.
Are you a first-time homebuyer?
Are you active-duty military or a veteran?
Are you an eligible Community Hero?
Teachers, first responders, healthcare professionals and other eligible public-service professionals may qualify.
Illustrative savings scenario—not an offer—
Actual contributions and benefits are not guaranteed.
Example: 2% of price in negotiated seller contributions, plus a potential community benefit of 25% of an assumed 3% commission (0.75% of price) when military or Community Hero is selected. Commission is negotiable; these assumptions are not an offer. Benefits may not combine, and lender/program limits apply. First-time-buyer status does not change this illustration.
Numbers are a starting point—not the whole decision.
Questions about costs, potential savings, or representation? Talk it through with ADT Realty.
A CONVERSATION, NOT A COMMITMENT
What’s on your mind?
YOUR ORIGINAL ACE BUYER RESOURCES
Answers now. A path to your next step.
Explore the original Buyer Answers and My Buying Path—not just the calculators. Use what you learn to shape your conversation with ADT Realty.
Explore these buyer resources without creating an account. Use the question or showing request form when you would like ADT Realty to follow up.
ORIGINAL ACE BUYER · BUYER ANSWERS
Buyer Answers
Clear explanations for the questions that come up while planning a home purchase.
Restored original ACE Buyer Q&A for design review. Wording has not been refreshed here; current loan terms and transaction-specific representation or compensation need individual confirmation.
It depends on the loan program and your qualifications. Some conventional programs may allow as little as 3% down, while FHA financing may allow 3.5% for qualified buyers. Some eligible buyers may have zero-down or assistance options.
A lender must confirm which programs and amounts are available for your situation.Possibly. Credit requirements vary by loan program and lender, and the score is only one part of the decision. Income, debts, down payment, reserves and recent credit history can also matter.
A lower score may affect the rate, costs or programs available.A denial does not always mean homeownership is permanently out of reach. Ask the lender for the specific reasons, review your credit reports for errors and build a step-by-step plan around debt, savings, income or credit.
A lender or HUD-approved housing counselor can help explain possible next steps.You can purchase without an agent, but a buyer’s agent can help with property evaluation, offer terms, inspections, deadlines, negotiations and the path to closing. Before touring homes, understand the services, responsibilities and compensation described in the representation agreement.
Real estate compensation is negotiable. In most Arizona transactions, the seller pays the buyer agent’s compensation, but this is not guaranteed. Your written buyer agreement explains what your agent will be paid and whether you could owe any portion. Compensation and buyer costs may also be negotiated as part of the purchase offer.
Review the agreement and ask questions before signing.Earnest money is a deposit showing that you intend to complete the purchase. It is normally held by an escrow company and credited toward your closing funds. Whether it is refundable depends on the contract, deadlines and circumstances.
Never assume a deposit is automatically refundable; follow the contract carefully.The escrow company acts as a neutral party handling money and documents while the buyer, seller, lender and title company complete their responsibilities. This period commonly includes inspections, financing, appraisal, title review, final figures and signing.
Usually, yes. A preapproval can clarify your price range, uncover financing issues early and make an offer more prepared. It is not a guarantee of final loan approval, and you can compare more than one lender.
State and local programs may offer grants, deferred loans or other assistance. Eligibility can depend on income, location, purchase price, occupancy, loan type and homebuyer education. Assistance may also affect the interest rate or total loan cost.
Availability and requirements change, so confirm current terms before relying on assistance.Your timing, equity and financing determine the best approach. Options may include selling first, negotiating a sale contingency or exploring financing that allows you to buy before the sale. Each choice has tradeoffs and risk.
A coordinated buying-and-selling plan should be built before you make an offer.No matching answer yet. Try a shorter search.
ORIGINAL ACE BUYER · YOUR HOMEBUYING PATH
My Buying Path
Your original 15-step checklist, from planning through closing. Preview progress stays in this tab only; it is not saved to an account.
Your progress0 of 15 complete
Highlighted steps include guidance from a Buyer Specialist or lender. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
NowBuild the right foundation
Refine income, debts and estimated housing costs.
Estimate funds, costs, credits and your savings target.
Discuss your goals, timing and questions before you begin touring homes.
Review financing choices, estimated costs and what you may qualify for.
NextPrepare to shop confidently
Income, assets, identification and other lender-requested records.
Confirm the working price range before making an offer.
Compare commute, taxes, HOA costs and the homes available.
Separate must-haves from features you can compromise on.
Understand services, responsibilities and compensation before signing.
LaterFrom home search to closing
Evaluate condition, monthly costs and long-term fit.
Review price, terms, contingencies and earnest money.
Perform inspections, review findings and address the BINSR.
Respond quickly to lender requests and avoid major financial changes.
Resolve questions before signing and sending funds.
Confirm the home’s condition, sign documents and receive possession.
The live plan uses account access to keep your progress. This design preview does not register you, send a save link, or store progress after reload.
Original ACE Buyer market snapshot: July–August 2026. Restored for design review; statistics have not been refreshed or independently reverified here.
Sellers are competing for your offer.
Higher rates have pushed many buyers to the sidelines. Buyers who are active today may have more room to negotiate help with eligible closing costs or a mortgage-rate buydown.
Nearly 7 out of 10 Phoenix-area buyers received concessions in the three months ending August 31, 2026.
Year-over-year listing prices declined across most Phoenix-area ZIP codes in July 2026.
A negotiated concession may lower your rate, reduce eligible closing costs or help you keep more of your own money.
What could seller concessions do for you?
Seller concessions are negotiated, not guaranteed, and depend on the property, offer and loan program. Phoenix-area concession data is based on Redfin buyer-agent transactions; ZIP-code pricing data is from Realtor.com reporting.
Original ACE Buyer Cash-to-Close Planner. Arizona planning assumptions, not actual property costs or a lender quote. Preview only—nothing is saved.
Cash-to-Close Planner
See what you may need beyond the down payment. Estimates are editable as your plans become clearer.
Purchase, location and available funds
Use your affordability estimate or a price you are considering.
Enter a dollar amount
Optional - used to refine local estimates
Estimated buying costs
Arizona title, escrow, lender and recording estimate — editable
Includes one year of insurance, prepaid interest and estimated lender escrow reserves — editable
Enter when a property or HOA is known
Savings plan
Choose the closest estimate.
Planning rate, not a lender quote.
Preview only. Nothing is sent; ADT Realty would confirm availability before a tour.
Not ready? Bookmark ACE Buyer and come back when you are. No account is required. Calculator results and checklist progress are not saved to an account.