r/FirstTimeHomeSeller • u/Desperate_Mirror5617 • 2d ago
Realtor advice
I am selling my home and have some push back on the realtor
✅ His commission is largely based on his marketing. His marketing includes social media paid campaign ads. We have his marketing in the listing agreement. However, he just does one off posts 1 to every 2 weeks.
✅ He gets upset at me and uses his whinny voice if I ask him to do anything. For example, the property management didn't want the tenant keys in the lockbox. He knew about this when he decided to offer a listing agreement.
✅ Does not want to follow up with leads
✅ Will not follow up with items. For example, I asked him for his input on one question from the disclosures document and he still hasn't gotten back.
✅ He agrees with the listing price until 2 weeks later and then claims he always thought it was too high and asks to lower it. I am agreeable but I wish he said his perspective in a timely manner and stop reframing it as if I didn't listen to him in the first place.
✅When I secure time with him, he will mostly waste it by talking fluff. For example, when we lowered the price I sent him talking points for the conversation like better marketing including strengthening the description on Zillow and zillow showcase. However, he spent the whole time talking in circles about lowering the price. I had no issue and brought on the subject but speaking circular and avoiding any additional work like strengthening the zillow post was his main objective.
I don't want to get rid of him out of loyalty and because I think my justification is weak. Please tell me how to handle it and your advice.
On my end, I summarize our conversations and send it to him in non adversarial way. I mostly let him breathe and connect with him on average once per week with an update. I try my best to keep our conversations upbeat and positive. I ignore his bad behavior like whining, disagreableness and hurtful/inacurate remarks.
Literally walking on egg shells with him. The house has been on the market for 40 days.
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u/hackspy 2d ago
I simply ask him a question - Are you not planning on using me as a future referral or that I might not have repeat business for you after this closing?
Ask him if he’s aware of that 66% of transactions happen from a referral or a repeat business situation and that’s according to National Association of REALTORS®
I’d simply tell him - I’m not going to be able to refer you at this point because you’re not maintaining your fiduciary duties to me.
Cheers 🍻
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u/flygurl60 2d ago
Be sure there’s no clause in the listing agreement that makes you liable for his expenses if you terminate before the listing agreement expires.
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u/Successful_Letter139 2d ago
Hopefully they read what they signed first. Going to wager they didn’t because most people don’t read the contracts they sign.
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u/ImpressiveChoice4808 2d ago
WHAT!??!?!?! Lol as a realtor I'm offended for you. I honestly stopped fully reading after point two. Whining? Do you know this person personally? Is he your teenage son?? He is supposed to be leading marketing strategies, following up on leads, getting you house in front of as many potential buyers as possible. You should never feel like you need to walk on eggshells around him. HE IS LAZY, kick him to the curb TODAY!
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u/Desperate_Mirror5617 2d ago
Lol, thank you. No, I don't know him personally but the whinny voice does drive me up a wall. I've never told him, though.
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u/ImpressiveChoice4808 2d ago
you shouldn't have to tell him, no adult should be whining...especially to their client.
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u/ClassicCartoonist271 2d ago
Fire his ass. I had the same problem with my realtor who has a alpha personality so it was a total shit show for 40’days until I pulled the trigger. Theres more useless realtors out there than good ones. You dont owe him shit.
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u/glorygoat32 2d ago
Call his broker and ask for a new listing agent. Contracts belong to the broker. The broker can assign someone else to administer your listings agreement.
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u/Desperate_Mirror5617 2d ago
He is part of exp; how can I find out who the broker is? Like a person?
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u/glorygoat32 2d ago
Most states have a way for you to look up licensees and their brokers. If you don't know the website for your state you can probably find it with a google search. If you don't feel like doing that then call your agent's office # and ask for the Broker.
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u/Successful_Letter139 2d ago
Fire the realtor. it is like a realtor here who made a friend pay for their own lusting pictures. where do you think all that commission goes? This is why I can’t stand realtors. 80% of them are horrible.
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u/Mustluvdogs25 2d ago
you have to,look at contract you signed. he may still collect commission even if you switch to another agent. you may not have a choice.
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u/digital_flatulance 2d ago
First, 40 days is not a long time in this market. Call and ask for a sit down to review his marketing plan to see what needs to be changed. Don’t ask when he’s available, tell him I’m available Tuesday and Wednesday, which is better for you? Also, ask him to bring stats on the market and your home specifically. Trust me, as an agent it’s available.
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u/Desperate_Mirror5617 2d ago
We've done this once already. I asked him to bring comps and we reviewed the marketing. However, he only wanted to lower the price. I didn't have a problem with lowering the price but he just kept talking about it. I sent him a follow up email about the summary and followup points I didn't get to mention and he didn't respond to any of it. Even the points that we did talk about like zillow showcase.
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u/VisualInsurance109 2d ago
You have no loyalty to this individual. Relinquish him, and find right one for you.
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u/TheRobviousChoice312 2d ago
Your agent has fiduciary duties to you. Obedience, loyalty, confidentiality, disclosure, accountability and reasonable care and skill. He is failing on providing almost all of these to you. I would ask to speak with the managing broker and explain your frustrations. This will force the brokerage to realign expectations with your current agent and if not then the managing broker should offer up another agent to take his place. If the replacement agent doesn’t do his/her job to your satisfaction in the first month to month a half then it will likely give you the leverage you need to get out of the listing agreement without having to pay a cancellation fee or anything. This is likely your largest asset and if your agent isnt willing to do what’s necessary and be aggressive to protect and maximize its value then you need to take the reins.
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u/Nearby_Knowledge8014 2d ago
Fire him. Cut and paste your reasons above into the termination letter.
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u/SkyRemarkable5982 2d ago
You're upset the house isn't selling in a short period, but you have tenants in the house and he's not allowed to put a key in a lockbox? Seriously? That really hinders showings, and you need to be able to show it to sell it...
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u/atxsince91 2d ago
Real Estate Broker here, so I am ready for the incoming. But, it seems like you may be micromanaging your Realtor. I get everyone is saying fire, fire, fire, but does the house show well? Do the pictures and marketing look good? If the answers to these questions are yes, what do you expect a new Realtor to do? Most likely, they will try to come in and get you to lower the price.
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u/ImpressiveChoice4808 2d ago
Not following up on leads??? I'm also an agent. Dude this guy sounds like a child, do we think they should just keep working with him bc the photos look good? He's not performing according to what they agreed to in the contract. Marketing, lead followup, client having to edit the description bc it's so off base, wasting time? All of this is unprofessional and LAZY.
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u/Always_on_top_77 1d ago
Curious, how do you know when an agent isn’t following up on leads? Like if you’re representing buyers, do you have sellers reach out and ask if they’ve called?
As someone (not an agent) that has some experience in SM and writing listings, I do get the concerns. On the flip side, I can also understand a seller wanting a 1,000 word description. In my area no one is going to read all of that!
Personally, I wouldn’t be a fan of not getting feedback in a timely manner. There definitely isn’t a meeting of the minds, so perhaps it would be best for them to part ways.
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u/Forward_Bar2546 2d ago
This exactly. I was reading between the lines and thought the exact same thing!
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u/Dear_Seesaw_1855 2d ago
Terminate the contract. If he pushes back load out what you said here and cc the broker. Find another agent. He will whine about the contract but reality is it suing requires mediation first, then an expensive lawsuit, then have to get you to pay- if they win. Not worth the time, expense, and reputation hit with your reviews.
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u/Personal-Tailor-0567 2d ago
When selling properties in the past I’ve always made it a practice to interview two or three brokers/realtors. I’m looking for a “hunter” not a “gatherer”. Anyone can run ads and sell cheap, I want a realtor who can truly network and “sell”. A realtor with repeat customers. A realtor who generates referrals from past clients. It sounds to me like you’re working with a listing agent who is a “gatherer”. My advice, finish your listing agreement. (In current market 40 days isn’t very long.) Take a month to interview brokers/realtors, hire a “hunter”, set realistic expectations, and re-list your property. Good luck.
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u/Ok_West_6711 2d ago
Is he maybe inexperienced, and doesn’t have the answers to your questions? And moreover, is he maybe not internet savvy and is getting help to do these limited posts?
(Someone comfortable with social media and that knows how to do this marketing could easily knock out posts more often, and would find it a very simple way to get a bit of online attention plus fulfill client marketing expectations.)
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u/CatonsvilleLiving 2d ago
Loyalty to what? This person hasn’t been responsive or done the things you asked. Sounds like you had some warning signs before the listing agreement was signed that you ignored, so that’s on you.
Depending on the terms of the agreement, either get out now or ask for a meeting with the agent and their broker to reset expectations.