How do I fire a pushy real estate agent

[Marie S.]

I hired a real estate agent who will be looking to get a percentage on my purchase if I jump ship. After I found better properties on my own, he decided to "hop to work." He's really pushy and is trying to get me interested in using a builder to build what I want since he can't find anything that will suit what I'm looking for. I would have considered it it had I not overheard his conversation over the phone where the builder made blatantly racist remarks. I just want to get rid of this guy. Is there a way to do this?

[Gregory Childs]

Be professional - write him a letter, thanking him for his assistance and telling him that you are giving him XYZ days notice (depending on the terms of your agreement) of termination.

However, you can not go back to properties he showed you and negotiate a better deal; based on not being represented. That would be unethical.

TTFN,

Greg

[Ibrahim Hughes]

I'm not understanding. Are you saying that you signed some sort of Buyer's agreement where you have to pay this guy a fee for breaking it early?

If so, talk to his Broker about your concerns and threaten to go to your state's Real Estate commission if they don't let you out of the agreement.

If not, then 'woman up' and let him know that his services are no longer needed. In business you can't be afraid of confrontation. Be polite and respectful. But you can't be afraid to fire an employee, evict a tenant or simply let someone know that you are disatisfied with their service. Business is business.

[J Scott]

As others have said, try talking (very professionally) to him and ask out of your contract, if you have one.

If that doesn't work, ask his broker.

If that doesn't work, ask him to drive you to properties for about 8 hours per day without putting in any offers until he realizes that not letting you out of the contract is going to cost him a LOT of time...

[Stacy Dieckman]

Marie,

If you singed an agreement with the agent then you need to review your contract and see how it reads. He may be entitled to a fee regardless of who found the property. You may also need an attorney to review the contract and advise.

If no agreement, then have a conversation with the agent's Broker and discuss why you are firing them.

If I was the broker, I would want to know about his actions and the builder's actions so I could address the situation.

Stacy

[Andrew Nelson]

Speaking with the Broker is always a smart idea!

[Keith Canyon]

i vote speaking with the broker first, as well. a good broker will want to have the best people representing his/her's firm. i wouldn't be opposed to having you and the two of them sit down to discuss it and work to resolve it fairly.

sage

[Marie S.]

The consensus says speak to the broker. I set up a meeting on Monday. I really don't plan to buy anything he has showed me.

Thanks guys for yet more sound advise.

[Teresa F.]

Hi Marie -- I'm with everyone else. However, I do not sign exclusivity agreements with any real estate salesperson although there are a few that I have used repeatedly. Since I do this full time, I do not want to be locked into getting "my real estate agent" when I find a property I want to see.

I have explained this to every agent I have worked with and they are more than willing to work with me and write a contract that is exclusive to the single property I am buying with them.

Regarding the agent, while it was the builder that was making racist comments you didn't mention that the agent said it was inappropriate, unwelcome, or anything else. Since real estate agents are expected to abide by the non-discrimination laws, you will want to be sure to inform the agent's broker and simply say you don't want to take your business elsewhere.

Finally, you are going to have to fire a lot of people. Just talk to the person the way you would want someone to talk to you if a situation wasn't working. Respectful, professional, and truthful.

[Robert Dobbs]

I would talk to him about what you overheard the builder say to him (i.e., racist remarks).

Tell him that because of that, you would prefer to part company.

Tell him, "I prefer not to make waves with your broker, or with the state real estate commission, so let's mutually agree to cancel our agreement. OK?"

Bob