Buyer's agent never went over contingencies with buyer at offer

[Anthony Mascia]

First time home buyer here, so I apologize for the simple question. Looking at purchasing a home with a conventional loan

My agent never went over contingencies or terms with me when placing my offers. She would just ask how much and the down payment - never discussed any contingencies with me.

Is this a big red flag? Because knowing what I know now, I would have liked to put in appraisal contingencies with my offers.

Very confused and starting to think my agent is taking advantage of us.

[Jeff Copeland]

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that your agent is out to get you. 

Most standard contracts already have an inspection and financing contingency built in, so just because they weren't discussed in detail with you doesn't mean they aren't there somewhere. 

That being said:

• Is there any particular reason you didn't ask your agent about the contingencies? It should be a fairly straightforward discussion, and if you have concerns about the contract you are signing, you should ask to have those concerns addressed and explained. 
• You signed the offers, right? That's generally an indication that you read and understood them. If you didn't ask for clarification, then it's reasonable for your agent to assume that you didn't need clarification. 

Don't get me wrong: Your agent should explain the terms and conditions and ensure you are comfortable with what you are signing, and they absolutely should make sure all parties understand the timelines, key dates, and deadlines. But it's also a 2-way street. Your agent doesn't always know your experience level, so a simple "How long is my inspection period?" or "How does my financing contingency work?" should be all you need to get these questions answered. And it falls on you to make sure they are answered to your satisfaction before you sign the contract.