Will you change the agent?

Question

I would like to get your opinion on a property I'm selling right now. It seems to me my agent is not putting her best effort in helping to sell fast and obtaining key information in the process.

i have worked with this agent for sometime now, apparently a long time agent. She listed the property without any photos to start with, and I had to follow up with her, and help to take some outside/ external pictures for her to post after she listed the property. Then the photographer finally came and seems like he took some nice photos, but a whole week later I do not see any new photos posted for the listing.

luckily it's still a hot market and I've gotten a few offers, we moved on with one to attorney review, but only during the attorney review we found our there is a selling contingency with the seemingly amazing cash offer. Before we decide to pick the best offer, the agent told me that the buyer agent is very experienced and she is comfortable about closing. But the contingency is such a big one and I'm disappointed that she was not able to capture the key information before we made a decision.

does it make sense to change to a different agent right now? What would you do?

Russell Brazil · Answer

No pictures of the property? This doesnt sound like a real estate professional to me.

Alan Asriants · Answer

I don't understand how Agents who post no photos or photos from their iPhone 6 still generate and keep business.

No photos is inexcusable

Bad phots is inexcusable.

Even if the property is destroyed, your agent should make their best effort to make sure they are marketing the property with the best tools possible

Can't really tell what's going on based on the info I have here, but maybe she isn't doing the best job explaining the pros and cons of all offers on the table.

If your property is in good condition and priced well, it's possible you can get more for the property with better marketing.

Looks like you will be under agreement soon. But if anything changes reach out anytime, I am licensed in PA and NJ!

Matt Greer · Answer

No photos.... Is this a "discount agent?" even then that's pathetic. Also if she can't fully explain the contract and contingencies then that's embarrassing. See how she already has procured a buyer you're probably stuck, but I wouldn't go back next time.

In my experience I've had to wait for a photographer to take the photos and edit them, but that is still pretty quick. When that happens I'd at least have a front photo of the house and put it on market as coming soon to start getting interest in the property and then I'd have it go live once I had all the photos uploaded and more people could see the listing.

Ned Carey · Answer

@Yangyang Jin I would not hesitate to change agents. When I have hesitated in the past I regreted it.  Good agents like @Russell Brazil take responsibility and get things done.

Probably the number 1 thing a listing agent can do is make sure there are good photos in the listing. If the agent didn't get that done and even after your prompting it got done slowly, you don't have a good agent. Please don't reward a bad agent (or a good agent who is not respecting you) with a commision for a bad job.

EDIT: I changed the post above to make it clear, I have regreted Not changing agents whe appropriate.

Russell Brazil · Answer

While this doesnt sound like abandonment....it does sound like clear malpractice. Any broker that wouldnt release a consumer from a listing agreement when the agent listed a property without photos, would in my opinion be opening themselves up to all kinds of problems.

Ned Carey · Answer

Richard posted the above while I was posting mine. While he is correct. Most brokers would let you out of the listing agreement expecially if you have serious problems with the agent. There is a concept called abondonment. If the agent has abandoned their reponsisibilty they can't hold you to the contract.  I doubt this rises to that level but clearly the agent is doing a poor job. Talk not to the agent but to the broker he or she works for.  Perhaps @Russell Brazil will chime in, and add to or correct what I say.

Katlynn Teague · Answer

Absolutely change agents! Call the broker and let them know. An agent is held to the up-most standards to provide for their clients and if you are not receiving that make a change but also make sure the agreement you have can be terminated with-out any loss to you!

Theresa Harris · Answer

While the forms differ by province here in Canada, there are standard forms used for purchases.  The  most important things the realtor needs to do is state the purchase price, conditions (usually financing and inspection, sometimes sale of the buyer's home) and closing date.  It is then their job to make sure the deposit is secured and all of the documents get to the lawyers.  Have her sit down with you and all of the offers and make a list of the key points for each so you can make a decision.

I would find a new realtor to work with.

Shawn Mcenteer · Answer

Hi @Yangyang Jin if it is written in the initial offer the agent should easily know.  If it comes up during attorney review the agent/attorney on the other side may be trying to pull a fast one.  Its not uncommon for an offer to come in strong at first then other side sneak in something like a home sale contingency.  The good news is in todays market its not horrible for you selling more so a question of what other nonsense will they try and pull or your agent miss assuming it was initially written into original offer.

Will you change the agent?

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