Yes. As of January 1, 2026, Texas law (SB 1968) requires buyers to sign a written agreement with a real estate agent before that agent can show them any home. You do not have to sign an exclusive representation contract. A short-term, non-exclusive showing agreement is a legal option that lets you tour a property without committing to a long-term relationship. Any agreement you sign must disclose the agent's services, the termination date, whether it's exclusive or non-exclusive, and the compensation amount, which is fully negotiable.

By Matt Watson, Broker, REALTOR® | April 29, 2026

You've been searching listings for weeks. You find a condo in Uptown that looks perfect, you reach out to an agent, and right before you walk in the door they say: "Before we go in, I need you to sign this agreement."

That moment catches a lot of Dallas buyers completely off guard. Some feel pressured. Some wonder if the agent is trying to trap them into something. A few have walked away from showings they really wanted to see.

Here's what's actually happening, and what it means for you.

What Texas Changed, and Why

On January 1, 2026, Texas Senate Bill 1968 (SB 1968) took effect. The law requires a written agreement between a buyer and a real estate agent before the agent can take any "substantive action" on the buyer's behalf, including showing a home.

This is a significant shift. Before 2026, the common practice in Texas was for agents to show properties first and handle the paperwork when the buyer was ready to write an offer. Buyers could tour a dozen homes with an agent without ever signing anything. That's no longer the case.

The purpose of the change is consumer protection. The idea is that you should understand exactly what your agent is doing for you, what they're being paid, and whether you're in an exclusive or non-exclusive arrangement before the relationship begins, not after you've already fallen in love with a property.

From TREC, the Texas Real Estate Commission: "The intent behind this change was to help protect consumers by requiring use of written agreements that clearly outline the obligations the license holder and prospective buyer owe to each other."

Whether you agree with the timing or not, the law is in effect. Knowing what it requires means you can walk into your first showing prepared instead of surprised.

The Two Types of Agreements You Might Be Asked to Sign

This is the part most buyers aren't told clearly. You have options.

Full Buyer Representation Agreement (BRA)

This is the more comprehensive agreement. It establishes a working relationship between you and your agent that covers the full home search and purchase process. It can be exclusive (meaning you agree to work only with that agent for a defined period) or non-exclusive.

A BRA spells out what your agent will do for you, the time period covered, and how the agent gets paid. Most established buyer's agents will present a BRA when you're ready to seriously work together on your search.

Non-Exclusive Showing Agreement

If you're not ready to commit to a full representation relationship, a non-exclusive showing agreement is a legal option under SB 1968. This is a shorter document, limited to a maximum 14-day term, that allows you to tour a specific property or a set of properties without entering a long-term representation arrangement.

This is useful if you want to see a property with an agent before deciding whether you want to work with them. It's not a trick. It's not a trap. It's a consumer-friendly option built into the law.

The non-exclusive showing agreement must still include the required disclosures: services provided, termination date, compensation details, and the statement that compensation is fully negotiable.

What Every Agreement Must Include

Under SB 1968, any written agreement between a buyer and an agent in Texas must include all of the following:

  • Services to be provided: what the agent will actually do for you during the period covered
  • Termination date: when the agreement ends (non-representation agreements cannot exceed 14 days)
  • Exclusive or non-exclusive status: clearly stated
  • Compensation amount or rate: the specific amount or how it will be calculated, including who pays it
  • Negotiability disclosure: a conspicuous statement that broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable

If an agent presents you with an agreement that's missing any of these elements, that's a problem. A legitimate, professional agreement covers all of them clearly.

What Happens If You Refuse to Sign

If you decline to sign any written agreement, the agent legally cannot show you the property. That's not an agent preference. It's the law.

There is a narrow exception for open houses. An agent can open the door and let you walk through. But they cannot provide advice, give opinions about the property, or negotiate on your behalf without a signed agreement in place.

In practical terms: you can attend open houses on your own without signing anything. The moment you ask an agent to show you a listing, schedule a private tour, or help you evaluate a property, a written agreement is required.

What This Actually Means for Dallas Buyers

If you're shopping for a condo or townhome in Uptown, Oak Lawn, East Dallas, or North Oak Cliff, here's what to expect.

When you contact an agent about a showing, by text, email, or phone, a professional agent will send you an agreement to review before the appointment. Read it. The key things to check are the term (how long it covers), whether it's exclusive, and the compensation details.

If you're in the very early stages of your search and not ready to commit to working with one agent exclusively, ask about a non-exclusive showing agreement for your first few tours. That's a reasonable request, and any agent worth working with will accommodate it.

As you get further into your search and find an agent whose approach and local knowledge you trust, a full buyer representation agreement is the natural next step. It gives your agent the context and clarity to negotiate aggressively on your behalf when it matters most, during the offer and the option period.

After 25 years in this market, I can tell you that buyers who have a clear working relationship with their agent before they find the right property are better positioned to move quickly and negotiate effectively. In a neighborhood like Uptown, where the right-priced condo can generate multiple offers, that preparation matters.

The paperwork isn't the obstacle. Understanding it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sign a buyer representation agreement to see homes in Texas?

Yes. As of January 1, 2026, Texas law (SB 1968) requires you to sign a written agreement with a real estate agent before they can show you any home. You don't have to sign an exclusive representation agreement. A short-term, non-exclusive showing agreement is a legal option that lets you tour a property without committing to long-term representation.

What's the difference between a buyer representation agreement and a showing agreement in Texas?

A buyer representation agreement establishes a full working relationship between you and your agent, typically on an exclusive basis. A showing agreement is a shorter, non-exclusive document that only covers a specific showing or a brief period (maximum 14 days) and does not obligate you to work with that agent exclusively. Both are valid under SB 1968.

What happens if I refuse to sign a buyer agreement before seeing a home in Texas?

If you decline to sign a written agreement, the agent legally cannot show you the property. This applies to all home showings in Texas as of January 1, 2026. The agent can still admit you to an open house, but they cannot offer advice, opinions, or negotiate on your behalf without a signed agreement in place.

Is agent compensation negotiable under the new Texas buyer agreement law?

Yes, and any agreement you sign must clearly say so. SB 1968 requires that every buyer agreement include a conspicuous disclosure that broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable. The specific amount or rate of compensation must be spelled out in the agreement before you sign.

Does the new Texas buyer agreement law apply to condos and townhomes in Dallas?

Yes. The requirement applies to all residential property showings in Texas, including condos and townhomes in Uptown, Oak Lawn, East Dallas, North Oak Cliff, and every other Dallas neighborhood. If you're working with an agent to tour properties, you'll sign an agreement before the first showing regardless of property type.

The Texas buyer agreement requirement is new, and it catches a lot of buyers off guard in 2026. But once you understand what it is and what your options are, it's a straightforward step, not a commitment you're pressured into, and not something that should slow you down.

If you're thinking about buying a condo, townhome, or home in Dallas's urban core and want to know exactly what to expect before we go see anything, I'm happy to walk you through the process. No pressure, no obligation. You'll leave the conversation knowing what the agreement covers, what I do for you, and how we work together. Reach out at mattwatson.com to schedule a free buyer consultation.

If you're also working through the Texas buying process, these posts cover other key steps:

About Matt Watson, Broker, REALTOR®
Matt Watson is a Dallas-based real estate broker and REALTOR® with over 25 years of experience in the city's urban core neighborhoods. He specializes in condos, townhomes, and single-family homes in Uptown, Oak Lawn, East Dallas, and North Oak Cliff. Whether you're buying your first condo or selling a longtime home, Matt brings deep local knowledge and straightforward guidance to every transaction. Connect with Matt at mattwatson.com.