Can I Work With More Than One Real Estate Agent in Oregon?

The short answer: it depends on what agreement you've signed. If you've signed an exclusive buyer representation agreement with an agent, you're contractually committed to working with them in the area that agreement covers. If you haven't — or if your agreement is nonexclusive — you have more flexibility, but there's a lot of nuance worth understanding before you assume you can shop agents freely.

Here's a clear-eyed look at how it actually works in Oregon.

Oregon Changed the Rules in 2025

Oregon passed House Bill 4058 in early 2024, and it took effect January 1, 2025. Before that, buyer representation agreements existed but weren't required by law. Now they are — for residential transactions involving land or one to four units.

What that means for buyers: if a licensed Oregon broker starts helping you search for or purchase a home, they are required to enter into a written buyer representation agreement with you before, or as soon as practicable after, they begin those efforts. You will be asked to sign an agreement. That is now the law, not just a best practice.

This change was actually already in motion before the NAR settlement required buyer agreements nationally. Oregon was ahead of the curve, and Oregon Realtors had already updated their standard forms before the mid-2024 national deadline. The agreement you sign with an Oregon broker will be compliant with both state law and the NAR settlement terms.

What the Agreement Actually Says About Exclusivity

This is the part that matters most for your question. Oregon buyer representation agreements must state whether they are exclusive or nonexclusive. That one word makes a significant practical difference.

An exclusive agreement means you are committing to work with that specific agent — and only that agent — within the geographic area and time period the agreement covers. The standard Oregon Realtors form allows the agent to define the exclusive area as either the entire state or a specific list of cities and counties. If you're under an exclusive agreement covering, say, Canby and Oregon City, you cannot work with a different agent to buy a home in those areas during the agreement term.

A nonexclusive agreement gives the agent the right to represent you but doesn't prevent you from working with others in the same area. In practice, nonexclusive arrangements are less common because agents are putting real time and effort into your search — they want some assurance they'll be compensated if you buy a home they helped you find.

The agreement also has a defined term — a start date and an expiration date — and Oregon law caps that term at 24 months, including any automatic renewals. So even with an exclusive agreement, it doesn't last indefinitely.

Can the Exclusive Area Be Limited Geographically?

Yes — and this is where working with multiple agents in different regions can be legitimate. Oregon's standard exclusive buyer representation agreement allows the parties to define a specific exclusive area by city or county. If your exclusive agreement only covers Clackamas County, for example, you could theoretically work with a different agent for a property in Marion County — as long as you notify your primary agent in writing with the other agent's name and firm.

The form is explicit about this: outside the exclusive area, you may engage other agents, but you must give your primary agent written notice. If your primary agent is willing, they can also represent you outside their exclusive area on a nonexclusive basis.

This matters for buyers who are genuinely searching across a wide region with different market dynamics. A buyer considering both Canby and Salem — two different counties — might have agents in each area, provided agreements are structured carefully and both agents are informed.

What Happens If You Ignore the Agreement?

If you're under an exclusive buyer representation agreement and you go around your agent to buy a home using another agent — or directly with a seller — there can be real consequences. You signed a contract. The termination rights and compensation obligations are spelled out in that agreement, and some agreements include tail provisions, meaning if you buy a property your agent showed you within a certain period after the agreement ends, they may still be owed compensation.

The right move is always to communicate directly with your agent if the relationship isn't working. Oregon's standard forms include termination rights for both parties. A professional agent will have that conversation honestly — you should be able to exit an agreement by mutual agreement if the fit isn't right.

Working with multiple agents simultaneously and hiding it from both is the scenario that tends to get messy for everyone. Agents invest significant time in buyers — researching properties, setting up tours, pulling comparable sales, drafting offers. When buyers use multiple agents without disclosure and then buy through whichever agent happens to present the right property, it creates genuine financial harm and erodes trust across the transaction.

How Buyer Agent Compensation Works Now

The NAR settlement that took effect in mid-2024 changed how buyer agent compensation is communicated. Compensation offers can no longer be posted through the MLS. Instead, compensation is negotiated directly between buyers and their agents, and spelled out in the representation agreement.

What this means practically: before you sign a buyer representation agreement in Oregon, you'll see exactly how your agent is proposing to be compensated — whether that's a percentage of the purchase price, a flat fee, or some other arrangement. Oregon's forms are explicit that compensation is not set by law, there is no standard rate, and buyers are free to negotiate the terms.

In many transactions, sellers are still offering concessions that buyers can use to cover agent compensation — they've simply moved that negotiation to the purchase agreement rather than the MLS. But buyers need to understand upfront that their agent's services are not free, and the compensation structure should be clearly understood before signing anything.

What This Means for Your Home Search

If you're early in your search and haven't signed anything yet, you have the most flexibility. You can interview multiple agents before committing. Ask about their specific exclusive area, the term they're proposing, and how they structure compensation. A good agent will walk you through all of this clearly — no pressure, no rushing you to sign.

Once you've signed an exclusive agreement, honor it — or have a direct conversation with your agent about ending it if the relationship isn't working. Most agents would rather have an honest conversation than continue a poor fit. And if you're genuinely searching in multiple geographic areas that require different local expertise, talk to your agent about how the agreement's exclusive area is defined. It's a negotiable term.

The single most important thing: read what you're signing. Oregon's buyer representation agreements are written in relatively plain language. The exclusivity clause, the term, the geographic area, and the compensation structure are all spelled out clearly. Understanding those four things before you sign puts you in control of the relationship.

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Jennifer Schurter serves buyers, sellers, and investors throughout South Clackamas County and the North Willamette Valley — including Canby, Oregon City, Wilsonville, Aurora, Hubbard, Molalla, Woodburn, Newberg, Sherwood, Tualatin, West Linn, Lake Oswego, and the greater Portland metro south. Her goal is simple: to be the most knowledgeable, most responsive, and most genuinely helpful real estate agent in the area — every single time. Jennifer is a licensed Oregon real estate broker with Real Broker LLC.

Ready to talk through your next move? Schedule a time with Jennifer here. No pressure, no pitch — just a real conversation.