Exclusive Buyer's Agent (EBA)
Definition and meaning of Exclusive Buyer's Agent (EBA) in real estate.
An exclusive buyer's agent is a real estate agent who works for a brokerage that represents only home buyers and never takes listings or represents sellers. This arrangement eliminates the potential for dual agency and ensures the agent's fiduciary duties remain entirely with the buyer.
In more detail
Traditional brokerages often represent both buyers and sellers, which can create conflicts of interest when a buyer wants to purchase a home listed by the same firm. Exclusive buyer's agents avoid this conflict entirely because their firm has no inventory of listings to promote. They focus solely on finding the best property for the buyer, negotiating the lowest price, and securing favorable contract terms.
For home buyers, hiring an exclusive buyer's agent provides peace of mind that their representative has undivided loyalty throughout the transaction.
Key facts
| Category | Buying & Selling |
|---|---|
| Fiduciary duty | Undivided loyalty to the buyer throughout the transaction |
| Brokerage restriction | Never takes property listings or represents home sellers |
| Also known as | EBA or exclusive buyer broker |
A home buyer hires an exclusive buyer's agent to help search for a home, knowing the agent will not pressure them to buy specific listings owned by the brokerage firm.
Frequently asked questions
How is an exclusive buyer's agent compensated?
Like traditional agents, they are typically paid via a commission split offered by the seller's broker, or through a negotiated fee paid by the buyer at closing.
Why should I use an exclusive buyer's agent instead of a traditional agent?
An exclusive buyer's agent has no listing inventory to push and cannot enter a dual agency situation, ensuring they negotiate solely in your best financial interest.