Broker Won't Schedule New Showings, Already Under Contract

[Art Maydan]

I'm looking for a multi-unit to house hack in Chicago. I work at a real estate company that does broker referrals and I get $3K closing cost credit if I use one of their brokers, so I've been working with a B&W broker they referred me. He's very experienced and knowledgeable, but also very lazy. He hasn't sent us a single hand-picked deal, only MLS portal auto-alerts. He's vague in communication, untimely in responses, unorganized, and doesn't voice an opinion on anything like we're going to call the PC police. Dealing with him is frustrating, but I've powered through for the closing cost credit.

We found a 2-unit with a garden unit that’s a decent deal and put an offer on it Sunday. Still waiting to hear back. We have to have a Chicago address by August in order for my wife to teach CPS, so we’re pretty rushed. Meanwhile, the guy went on vacation and checks his email/text maybe once a day.

Monday, we found 3 great deals on Redfin and asked him to schedule it. I followed up today asking if he was able to and he says he hasn’t yet. So I’m weighing possibly missing out on a deal because this guy’s a bum versus getting $3K off closing costs, which is significant to me at this point.

We were able to schedule viewings with one of those Redfin brokers on our own. I don’t understand what’s difficult about calling the listing agent and making an appointment. Anyway, what should my game plan be here? I figure we’ll go see the properties with Redfin agents. Then, if we want to put in an offer, we’ll tell him to do it. If he won’t for whatever reason, we’ll just buy with the Redfin broker because I’m not missing out on a deal over $3K and this guy’s laziness.

The only thing stopping me from firing him now and getting a new broker through my work is that he’s already put in an offer on the best property we’ve seen so far on our behalf. If that falls through, he’s out for sure. I’m 100% getting licensed and doing things myself after having to deal with these people. Meanwhile, is what I’ve outlined the best game plan?

[Jake Thomas]

Fire him and find a new agent. Not worth the $3,000 at in my opinion. 

No cure for laziness in this business. 

But make sure you are not under an exclusive buyers agreement, if you are you need to be released from it before making any offers with other agents.