IABS

The IABS (Information About Brokerage Services) form is a consumer disclosure form designed to explain how brokers represent sellers, buyers, or act as intermediaries, helping consumers make informed decisions.

Texas-Specific Nuance & Citation

Under TRELA §1101.558, license holders must provide a copy of the IABS form at the first substantive dialogue regarding a transaction. It must be provided in the body of an email, as an attachment, or via a clear, direct, and labeled link on the homepage of an agent’s website.

The Trap

The IABS form is not a contract or representation agreement. Many candidates confuse it for a buyer representation agreement. It does not establish agency; it simply discloses how agency works. Providing the form is a statutory requirement, not a sign-up flow.

Worked Example

An agent meets a prospective buyer at a local coffee shop in El Paso. The buyer starts asking specific questions about the financing, zoning, and physical condition of a property they saw online. Before answering or discussing terms, the agent must present the buyer with a completed IABS form.