Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
How do I break up with my agent? Eek! There are more than 7,000 real estate agents in Charleston, and they aren’t all created equal. More than half are hobbyists who only close a few deals a year, and even some of the full-time agents are unprofessional (we know because we’ve worked with them!)
How can you tell it’s not the right fit?
You feel like you’re communicating clearly but your agent isn’t listening/understanding.
You suspect your agent lacks valuable experience.
Your agent never seems to be available when you want to see a house.
You have trouble reaching your agent and don’t get timely responses.
Your agent isn’t aggressive enough.
Your agent is too aggressive.
If you find yourself working with an agent who doesn’t give you the attention/service you deserve, you may need to move on. Here are some ways to break up:
Honesty is the best policy. While these conversations can be uncomfortable, clearly communicating that you are making a change is the best way to break up.
Ex: "Thank you for all you've done, but I’ve decided to make a change and work with someone else."
Feedback is a gift. If there is constructive criticism you can share, be brave and do it! Especially if the agent has invested substantial time/effort.
Ex: "I appreciate all the time you spent with me, but I've decided to make a change. You consistently send me listings that don’t match my criteria.”
White lie. You may have an agent who will respond better to saying less. Closure is more important than clarity.
Ex. "I’ve decided to put my search on hold. Thank you for all of your help. I'll be back in touch if anything changes."
It's not you, it's me. Maybe there's nothing constructive to share, but you feel compelled to work with someone else.
Ex: "You have been great, but I have another agent I really click with. Our kids are the same age, and she lives in one of my target neighborhoods."
Strictly business. What if the agent is a good friend or family member? Some people are more comfortable keeping business and personal life separate.
Ex: "I prefer to keep business separate. I value our relationship and have decided to use a different agent.”Going dark. While it is an option to stop returning calls, it is not a good one. Not everyone deserves constructive feedback, but everyone deserves closure.
Note: If you’ve signed a Buyer Agency Agreement or an Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement, then you absolutely owe your agent a clearly communicated separation in writing. Ideally the email would also go to the Broker in Charge of the agent's office.
I've been on the receiving end of every single one of these break-up examples! I try to respect the client's decision, even when it's disappointing. The harder/longer I've worked for the client, the harder it is to respect a break-up. Your loyalty should match your agent's investment. If your agent has worked tirelessly and provided good service, you should honor your commitment. Did the agent chat with you briefly on the phone once…. or answer numerous after-hours calls/texts? Did the agent only show you one house… or write an offer for you after multiple showings? Did your agent stick a sign in your yard and then disappear… or execute months of strategic marketing trying to sell your home?
Important: An agent is not allowed to advise you as long as you are in an agency relationship with another licensed agent. If you reach out to me and ask how to break up with your agent, I can give you a link to this blog post, but I can’t discuss your specific search, property or strategy until/unless you are no longer working with that agent.
Not sure what to expect from your agent? Check out this article on what to look for in a good Realtor.
