If you’re unhappy with the services your agent is providing you, it’s important to know what options you have so that you can find one who assists in your house hunt the way you want them to.
Switching Agents in Mid-Shop
Everyone is unique, and people tend to get along with others who have traits or qualities similar to their own. You might find yourself not getting along with your current real estate agent and might have found another. If so, at that time you probably had ample grounds for switching agents. Your current agent might not be happy about it, and there might be some type of conflict, but you can make the transition somewhat easier for both of you. You are free to switch agents as long as you have not signed a buyer’s broker agreement. Without that agreement, you are not obligated to use a specific real estate agent, and they have no right to try to hold on to you as a client.
Your Contract Specifies What You Can Do
If your agent wants you to sign an agreement, you should read through it carefully, because it may contain essential clauses that you should consider. One of the most important clauses to look for is a cancellation clause. There may be an exit clause granted within a specific period, such as 48 hours. Both the broker’s and buyer’s duties and responsibilities to each other will be written out. If your broker is in breach of those duties, you can report those errors. You can also create a list of grievances and refer to the contract once you’ve made the decision to stop working with that broker. A cancellation clause allows you to legally part with your agent before the contract expires. You should also look for other provisions, such as a broker protection clause that may have been included. A broker protection clause generally states that if you signed a contract, and the broker found you a house or a buyer, and you purchase or sell the home within a certain amount of time after the contract expires, the broker receives a full commission from the sale. There may be a termination agreement written into the contract already that supports either party wanting to end the relationship. The termination rights will be clearly stated. In most cases, you should be able to cease working with the real estate agent by presenting a letter of cancellation or termination. Check your contract, and understand the actions you need to take to be able to terminate it. There is nothing wrong with asking the agent, before signing, how you can cancel the contract if you are not happy with their services.
Writing a Letter of Termination
This is an important step—it protects you from having to pay a commission if an issue were to arise after you’ve terminated the relationship. Do this after you have informed the agent that you would like to end the partnership. You don’t have to explain why, but do create it when you want to officially part ways. That will ensure that the agent won’t continue to search for homes for you.
Use Diplomacy
Even if you have a list of grievances, be professional and courteous. Acknowledge that your specific needs aren’t being met, so that you can both learn for the future. Most real estate agents will agree that it’s in both parties’ best interest to end the relationship, especially if the telltale signs have been apparent for a while. By being honest and upfront, and parting amicably, the relationship may be able to continue in other ways. A good real estate agent may even suggest other agents for you to work with or may even make referrals. You can say that you would like to continue to work with the real estate brokerage firm overall if your broker is a part of a larger entity. Ask whether there is a colleague they might suggest if you are parting on good terms. That way, you can save your relationship with the firm. However, if the relationship has degraded so much that you feel there is no recourse but to find another agent, thank them for their time and inform them that you have chosen a different agent.
