Do You Have to Sign Anything Before Touring Homes in Kansas? What Buyers Need to Know (2026)

by James McGrew Jr

Do You Have to Sign Anything Before Touring Homes in Kansas? What Buyers Need to Know (2026)

If you're planning to buy a home in Wichita or the surrounding areas, there's one step that often catches buyers off guard:

Yes, there is a form required before you start touring homes.

And no, it does not mean you're locked into anything.

This guide explains exactly what the touring agreement is, why it exists, and what it does and does not mean for you as a buyer, so there are no surprises when you're ready to see homes.

I'm James McGrew Jr., a full-time Wichita Realtor® with Real Broker, LLC.

Short Answer

Yes, Kansas requires a touring agreement before showing homes, but it does NOT lock you into working with an agent or force you to buy a house.

It's about transparency, expectations, and consumer protection.

Why Is a Touring Agreement Required in Kansas?

Kansas law requires a written agreement before a licensed agent can show you homes. This ensures clear communication, proper disclosures, fair housing compliance, and transparency around representation.

This requirement exists before showings, not after you're under contract.

What the Touring Agreement Actually Covers

Below is a high-level explanation of the touring agreement used by my brokerage, Real Broker, LLC, explained without legal jargon.

1. Term, or how long it lasts. The touring agreement lasts seven days and then automatically expires. It's short-term and temporary. It does not roll on indefinitely.

2. Touring services, or what the agent can do. The agreement allows the agent to assist with locating homes, tour properties with you, and provide general consultation during the term. The relationship is non-exclusive and limited to touring services.

3. No fee for touring services. Under this agreement, buyers do not pay a fee to tour homes and the brokerage does not receive compensation for touring. Any future brokerage services, including buyer representation and how that representation is compensated, must be negotiated separately in a written buyer agreement before those services begin. Touring itself does not cost you money. Representation beyond touring is a separate, negotiated conversation.

4. Buyer representation status. The agreement confirms the buyer is not currently in an exclusive agreement with another agent for the same locations. This avoids confusion or conflicts. It's about clarity, not control.

5. Equal opportunity and fair housing. All touring services must comply with the Fair Housing Act and federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. This ensures equal access and protects everyone involved.

6. Hazardous conditions disclosure. Homes may contain conditions the agent does not control or guarantee. This sets realistic expectations and reinforces why inspections exist.

Important Clarification: This Is NOT a Buyer Agency Contract

This is where most confusion happens. A touring agreement does not require you to buy, does not lock you into an agent, and does not create long-term representation.

It only allows showings to legally occur.

The BRRETA Form: Brokerage Relationships Explained

In addition to the touring agreement, buyers in Kansas are provided with a Brokerage Relationships in Real Estate Transactions Act disclosure, commonly referred to as the BRRETA form.

This is a state-required informational disclosure designed to explain the different types of relationships that may exist during a transaction.

What the BRRETA form covers:

Seller's Agent represents the seller only. Buyer's Agent represents the buyer only. Transaction Broker does not represent either party but helps facilitate the transaction.

It also explains, at a high level, what duties agents and transaction brokers have and what they do not do.

Importantly, the BRRETA form does not create an obligation to use a broker's services and does not establish agency by itself.

Why buyers see this early: Kansas law requires this information to be provided at the first practical opportunity, so buyers understand how representation works before getting deeper into the process.

Think of the BRRETA form as an educational overview, not a commitment.

Brokerage Differences and What's Standard

The BRRETA form is standardized across Kansas. It's always the same.

The touring agreement, however, can vary by brokerage: how long the agreement lasts, whether any fees are charged for touring, and how compensation is disclosed may differ from one brokerage to another.

For context, here's how my brokerage, Real Broker, LLC, handles it: the touring agreement lasts seven days and automatically expires, no fees are charged for touring homes, and buyers are free to negotiate future brokerage services separately.

The purpose remains the same: clarity, transparency, and legal compliance before you tour homes.

When Will You See This Form?

Typically after an initial conversation and before your first showing is scheduled. If you're still in the early planning stage, this step usually comes later.

What happens before this stage: What Happens After You Reach Out to a Realtor walks through the full sequence from first conversation to touring.

Before You Tour: Do the Homework First

Touring works best when the foundation is already set. That means pre-approval in place, your comfortable monthly cost understood, and your area research done using independent tools: GreatSchools.org for school data by specific address, Niche.com for community profiles, Community Crime Map for reported crime data, KANdrive for real commute conditions, and the FCC National Broadband Map for internet availability at any specific address.

The full research walkthrough: How to Research Any Wichita KS Neighborhood Before You Buy. The financing side: Getting Pre-Approved for a Home Loan in Kansas.

The Home Buyer's Rough Draft organizes all of it in one place: timelines, finances, and expectations before touring. Free, no sign-up required.

The Wichita Home Buyer's Blueprint is the free community with guides, local resources, and tools. No cost, no pressure, just real information.

FAQ

Do I have to sign something before touring homes in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas requires a written touring agreement before a licensed agent can show you homes. It's short-term, and at my brokerage it expires automatically after seven days.

Does the touring agreement lock me into working with that agent?
No. It's non-exclusive, limited to touring services, and expires on its own. Long-term buyer representation is a separate agreement negotiated separately.

Does it cost money to tour homes?
Under my brokerage's touring agreement, no. Buyers pay no fee for touring and the brokerage receives no compensation for touring. Any future representation services and compensation are negotiated separately in writing. Touring fee practices can vary by brokerage, so ask before signing anywhere.

What is the BRRETA form?
The Brokerage Relationships in Real Estate Transactions Act disclosure, a standardized Kansas form explaining the types of agency relationships: seller's agent, buyer's agent, and transaction broker. It's informational only and creates no obligation.

Is the touring agreement the same at every brokerage?
No. The BRRETA form is standardized statewide, but touring agreement terms, duration, and fee structures vary by brokerage. Always read the specific agreement you're given.

Related Guides

Bottom Line

Paperwork before touring homes is normal, required, and designed to protect you, not trap you.

When explained upfront, it becomes just another simple step in a well-organized buying plan.

Clarity first. Pressure never.

If you're still planning, start with the Home Buyer's Rough Draft. If you're ready to tour, book a discovery call or call/text 316-284-7767 and we'll walk through everything clearly before a single showing.

No surprises. No stress. Just a plan.

This is general information based on how the process commonly works and how Real Broker, LLC operates. It is not legal advice. Rules, agreements, timelines, and fees can vary by brokerage and situation. If you need legal guidance, speak directly with a qualified real estate attorney. James McGrew Jr. is a licensed Realtor® with Real Broker, LLC in Kansas. You have the right to independently research and select any real estate professional, lender, or service provider of your choosing. Broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable.