Kacie Goff, Bankrate.com
According to the 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Member Profilec, a typical agent had 10 deals last year. Once you close about one transaction per month, if you theory is that you have the bandwidth, you will provide the best possible service.
But if it is not true for your current experience, it may be time for change. You may wonder when you are going to fire your real estate agent. Or, more urgently, how to fire a real estate agent.
Let’s see when to make that call and how to legally navigate the shooting.
How to know when to fire a real estate agent
We are all human, so it’s okay for an agent to make one or two mistakes. However, if you find some of these red flags, we recommend that you consider finding a new real estate agent.
They don’t communicate well. Your agent should be reachable and communicated with you. If it takes a long time for them to return to you, it can affect your ability to look at the listing and put in offers before your competition. And if they feel they’re not being frank with you or perhaps not lying, it’s breaking the deal. Speaking in technical terms is another matter. I ask you politely to explain anything you don’t understand. They aren’t selling your home well. Today, real estate professionals have a wide range of options that can be used to reveal the words about your list. If your home is not appearing on a major listing site or is inadequately located elsewhere, you may want to find a way to fire a real estate agent. There is a conflict of personality. Your agent is navigating you and one of the biggest decisions in your life. You want to feel comfortable working with them. If your personality doesn’t mesh well, you may be provided with better service by finding someone else. Trust your instincts. If that doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. They are overly forceful or aggressive. The job of an agent is not to oppose you, but to defend you. People who are debate or try to put pressure on you on something you find uncomfortable are not that suitable. They are not experts. Everyone has a different work style, but there are some behaviors that don’t fly. If they appear to be consistently late for booking (not at all), unprepared, lacking knowledge about their property, or distracted during your interactions, beware. This shows a lack of respect for you as a client. They are new to the market. Great agents remain informed about the local market. If they don’t know about current market trends in your area, can they help you find the best place or make the best possible deal? Be sure to arrange regular and continuous updates from your agent regarding your agent, recent sales, new listings, available inventory and price trends. They show a lack of skills. Whether it helps you to stage your home for sale or negotiate on the price, you want an agent who knows what they’re doing. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, no one likes to feel like they’ve left money on a closed table.
How to fire a real estate agent
Don’t jump into the fire immediately. If you are unhappy with your agent, you may still be able to repair the relationship: try to openly communicate with them in a non-confrontational way about the problems you are having. If the problems continue, it’s probably time to let them go. Make sure you must do so legally and are in compliance with the contract or contract you signed. The last thing you want is an expensive court battle.
Once you know when to fire a real estate agent or real estate agent, you can take certain steps. They vary slightly between buyers and sellers, so we will outline them separately below.
Please be polite and respectful if you follow these steps. Be careful not to exacerbate the impact of your feedback, as your complaints about them will be reflected badly and will likely hurt their careers.
If you’re a buyer
If someone was helping you buy a home, understanding how to fire your real estate agent means:
Check if you signed something: nothing in writing and if the deal with the agent remains informal, you are clear to leave. Review of what you sign: If you sign a buyer’s agent agreement, you will be bound by the standards of that agreement. Pursuing Right to Terminate: Contracts usually spell out rights to terminate, so check them carefully. If the agent has not maintained the end of the bargain (for example, if he missed an appointment or made a mistake in the document), it may be within the legal right to terminate the relationship before the contract ends. If you have a real estate attorney, you can have a termination letter written to avoid complications and liability. You’re trying to get things to work: If you have a written agreement with an agent that you can’t leave, go directly to the agent. Tell them what you need to see the change. Writing a list of issues at hand may help them understand the situation and where they need to make adjustments. Next, give the agent time to see if they’re going to improve. Show them that they are constructive and that you are interested in creating positive relationships that will help both you. Escalate the problem as needed: If you’re a little stuck and can’t reach anywhere with your agent yourself, now is the time to escalate the problem to the agent’s brokerage company, or the company they work for. The broker there may be some functioning to the agent’s boss and helping you and the agent find a better path. See if they agree to termination: Sometimes it may allow an agent or its broker to terminate your contract early when things go wrong. You can request it and hope they agree. Waiting for the Timeline: Buyer’s contracts usually link you to an agent until the period specified in the contract is no longer available. That probably means sticking to that agent for months if you haven’t found a solution with them or their broker.
If you’re a seller
For those working with agents to sell, the process is similar, but there are some differences. If you’re a seller trying to find a way to fire your real estate agent, go through these steps.
Check if you signed something: If you’re just chatting informally, you have no obligation. But if your home is already on the market, you probably signed with a listing agent. A listing agent, also known as a seller’s agent, usually invests more time and effort into your property, such as pulling a comp, marketing a home, or holding an open house. This investment makes it difficult to break up with them. Understand what you signed: The most common contract a seller has with a listing agent means that it is an exclusive right to sell. This means that your agent will bring in a future buyer and be responsible for selling your property. It also usually means you are responsible for paying their fees. See if you can get out of it: Your agreement with the agent may lay out their requirements, and if they cannot withstand them, the right to termination for you. Make sure they are clear. If any of these termination rights apply to your situation, we may be able to terminate the agreement. Give a complaint to your agent: If termination rights don’t apply, write down what’s wrong. Create letters or lists that you can share with your agents so they can understand what they need. It is probably best to share this with them in face-to-face, non-confrontational discussions. Don’t be criticized or hold them accountable. Go to a broker: Real estate agents must legally work under the broker’s supervision. This person basically acts as a boss, so getting them involved will help redirect the agent. They don’t want to lose their listings or suffer reputational damage, so they need to get out of the way to resolve the issue and deal with you. Ask for termination: With a list of issues handy, you can ask agents and/or brokers if they are willing to terminate their contract early. If the situation is difficult, they may agree. If they agree, they will obtain written release and waiver of liability. Also get a list of all the people they’ve shown in your home. If any of those people buy your home afterwards, you need to pay the committee. Waiting for an agreement: If nothing else goes well, you need patience. Exclusive rights to sell contracts must have an expiration date. From that point onwards you are free to work with another agent.
Tips for hiring the right agent
You got burned – it’s fine, it happens. But now you want to make sure it doesn’t happen again and find someone you really click.
Make sure to do some research when you’re looking for a new real estate agent. Ask friends and family for recommendations. Search online to read reviews. Once you’ve narrowed down to a few candidates, schedule your time to interview and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out about their experience and market knowledge. And trust your gut – it’s always the best to work with someone you really love.
Conclusion
Know the signs of a bad real estate agent. You don’t need to settle for people who don’t like you, those who don’t work well, or those who don’t do a good job for you. Find a way to leave or end or wait for the contract. Then take the time to find new agents who work to meet your needs and get what you want.
FAQ
How do you write a termination letter to a real estate agent?
The letter has a header that provides contact information, allowing the broker to know which contracts to terminate. In the letter, explain why you are terminating your contract. See specifically the factual elements underlying the termination. Do not explain or exaggerate it in detail. Also, please refer to certain termination clauses from the contract you are sought.
How do you deal with a professional real estate agent?
First, it becomes clear and direct. For example, if they are late for booking, tell them that it made you feel downplayed as a client. If they don’t respond to your feedback, escalate the issue to the broker. It’s always good to keep a written record of issues and conversations with your agent.
What are unethical real estate agents’ behavior?
If someone is a real estate agent, that means they have agreed to follow the NAR code of ethics. Therefore, anything other than that code is considered unethical. Some common issues here include misrepresentation or concealment of facts, discrimination, and collaboration with other agents when it is most useful to the client and not transparent about the kickbacks received.
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Original issue: April 19, 2025 9am Edt
