fire buyer's real estate agent

[indexfunds]

Hi,

My current real estate agent is being very pushy about putting offers on homes, some are out of our price range. The agent also asked me to consider taking out a higher interest loan to afford homes outside of our price range. What is a good way to gently end this professional relationship? We did not sign a buyer's contract.

This agent took us to look at houses for 2 weekends and I feel bad wasting their time. The homes we looked at are either too expensive for our current budget or lack quality school systems, which is a deal breaker for me. So I think we will hold off on buying and continue to rent. But when we do decide to buy later, I prefer to use a different agent who is not as aggressive. That's why I want to end the relationship without them continue to contact us or getting angry.

Thanks

[Olemiss540]

Easy. Send a hand written note thanking them for their time but letting them know you have reconsidered the option of purchasing for the time being. Possibly send some with a little gift as a sign of appreciation?

[freebeer]

Hi,

My current real estate agent is being very pushy about putting offers on homes, some are out of our price range. The agent also asked me to consider taking out a higher interest loan to afford homes outside of our price range. What is a good way to gently end this professional relationship? We did not sign a buyer's contract.

This agent took us to look at houses for 2 weekends and I feel bad wasting their time. The homes we looked at are either too expensive for our current budget or lack quality school systems, which is a deal breaker for me. So I think we will hold off on buying and continue to rent. But when we do decide to buy later, I prefer to use a different agent who is not as aggressive. That's why I want to end the relationship without them continue to contact us or getting angry.

Thanks

This happens all the time. RE agents are used to it, and some buyers cycle through many different RE agents showing them homes. Just tell them you are putting your search on pause and that you don't think you'll ask their help if and when you get back to it, if you want to make up a euphemistic excuse such as you have a friend of a friend who's an agent or whatever, that's fine but shouldn't be necessary. If your dropping them generates anger on the RE agent's part, well then that just double validated your decision. Assuming the RE agent isn't your brother-in-law...

[Thecallofduty]

Simply call them, thank them for their time and effort and let them know you will be parting ways.

If they ask why then feel free to explain your reasoning.

[Big Dog]

just send and e-mail thanking them for taking the time to show you some houses but you've decided to keep renting for the next year or so and that you'll contact them in the future if you need their expertise.

[indexfunds]

Do you think they will get it if I say I am stopping my housing search? Or do you think I have to be more blunt and say I am terminating the relationship?

[quantAndHold]

Do you think they will get it if I say I am stopping my housing search? Or do you think I have to be more blunt and say I am terminating the relationship?

Just tell them the truth. The agent is showing you things that are above your budget, in the wrong school district. It's a waste of your time, and you're feeling pressured to buy a house you don't want. You're going to stop looking for now, and probably try again later with a different agent.

Nobody, absolutely nobody, gets every last thing they want in a house search. You will need to make some compromises in either what you're looking for or the price. The agent is trying to get you to make compromises on school district and price. If those are solid must haves, you need to tell that to whatever agent you're working with. You also need to tell them what you're more flexible on. I'm guessing there is nothing available in your price range in the school district you want, unless you downsize the house. And even then, maybe still nothing.

[Thecallofduty]

Let them know you no longer require his/her service.

[indexfunds]

phone call or email?

[Mr.BB]

A simple phone call will suffice. Let this be a good lesson for you when interviewing agents. This agent obviously does not have your best interest in mind. You need to give your future agent specific guidelines on what you are willing to spend and what you expect from them! If you think about it, agent don't work for you (even though you are paying them), they actually work for the seller. The more they can get you to spend, the bigger their commission.

[Mr.BB]

Do you think they will get it if I say I am stopping my housing search? Or do you think I have to be more blunt and say I am terminating the relationship?

Tell them you are terminating their business. Anyone who would try to push you into a higher range for a house that you cannot afford and try to get you to take out a high interest loan is dangerous to your financial future!

[staythecourse]

Just send him a text thanking for the help, but you will be holding off of purchasing at this time. Any response from him other then "No problem... good luck" just ignore.

Just keep in mind any property the have shown you they can make a stink later on of being entitled a commission based on laws of procurement if you decide to purchase so Do NOT look at any more houses or go over comps with them in the future.

In my opinion, if he showed you houses out of your discussed budget AND missed an important must have (school system) then he wasted YOUR time and not the other way around.

Good luck.

[8foot7]

"Thanks for your time. We're going to go in a different direction." Ignore future communications. If they had been more helpful I'd suggest a gift card or a bottle of wine but it sounds like the agent truly wasted your time, so I would feel zero obligation to make a gesture.

[lthenderson]

The homes we looked at are either too expensive for our current budget or lack quality school systems. So I think we will hold off on buying and continue to rent.

Just tell them that. Don't burn a bridge by telling them they are too aggressive. Perhaps three weeks from now they have inside information on a killer house that meets all your requirements coming up for sale and think of you?

[quantAndHold]

A simple phone call will suffice. Let this be a good lesson for you when interviewing agents. This agent obviously does not have your best interest in mind. You need to give your future agent specific guidelines on what you are willing to spend and what you expect from them! If you think about it, agent don't work for you (even though you are paying them), they actually work for the seller. The more they can get you to spend, the bigger their commission.

Actually, it's less about getting the biggest commission as it is about making the sale *now*. Agent apparently had nothing that met OP's needs right now, so instead of continuing to look, they were trying to sell OP whatever they had, even if it was a poor fit.

[stan1]

If you are being specific about your price range and school district then I'd expect to see houses that meet that criteria -- and if none exist the realtor should be breaking that news to you by speaking to you not just by showing you more expensive houses in the school district you like or lower cost houses in the school district you don't like.

You can email the agent. I'd just say "thank you for showing us the houses, we've decided to keep renting in our current location". Done. No need to reply beyond that. You are under no obligation to work with that realtor in the future but you may want to keep focusing what you are looking for with your own internet searches.

[tim1999]

I would just send them an email or text saying either you've decided to hold off on buying and don't need their help anymore. If they try to call you after that, which if they are pushy they will for sure, don't answer. Don't even listen to the voicemail, just delete it.

I think giving them a parting gift is nuts.

[EHEngineer]

It's good you're doing this now. The searching phase is the most fun. contracts, inspections, and closing are way more stressful. You need someone that you can work with.

My 2 cents ... After the "breakup" I feel better when I protect the other's feelings versus telling the raw truth. I would feel worse saying "I think you're pushy" that I would saying, "I've learned that house buying is stressful for me, and after visiting several houses, I think that I need to slow down and take my time. I'd like to try some other agents and see if I can find one that's the best fit for my personality. I need to do this, and If I don't, I'm not sure I'll make it through this process."

aka "it's not you, it's me."

I think you should give them a gift for their time. A gift card to a nice restaurant would be appropriate. And, you better make sure you don't buy any houses that agent showed you, or you may get sued for his commission (deserved or not).

[jfn111]

This happens all the time. Just tell them your staying put for awhile and then find a different agent when your ready to look again. If this agent is really pushing you to make bad financial decisions then just sever contact with him. No apologies necessary.

[Cactuscoug]

If you did not sign a Buyer's Contract, then the agent is not your agent, he/she is the seller's agent. You own them nothing.

[Mr.BB]

If you did not sign a Buyer's Contract, then the agent is not your agent, he/she is the seller's agent. You own them nothing.

+1
and any agent who tried to push you into a loan that was high interest and possible could not afford deserves no kind of thank you gift for their time.

[spectec]

"Thanks for your time. We're going to go in a different direction." Ignore future communications. If they had been more helpful I'd suggest a gift card or a bottle of wine but it sounds like the agent truly wasted your time, so I would feel zero obligation to make a gesture.

+1
You're not obligated to explain anything. Terminate the relationship and move on. The agent needs to get the message and do the same. If they're a pro, they will realize this. If they're not yet a pro, it will be a good learning experience for the agent.

[indexfunds]

Just keep in mind any property the have shown you they can make a stink later on of being entitled a commission based on laws of procurement if you decide to purchase so Do NOT look at any more houses or go over comps with them in the future.

Hi,

We ended our relationship with our realtor. This person showed us a home that we liked. We did not put in an offer because this realtor asked us to take out a bigger loan, rather than show willingness to negotiate on our behalf.

I just want to confirm that we should not entertain purchasing this home in the future.

Thanks

[Jack FFR1846]

Do you understand that this “buyer’s agent” isn’t and is motivated and paid by the seller? They get a bigger commission by getting you to pay more.

If you really want that house, send an offer directly to the seller agent.

[indexfunds]

Yes, I understand. That's why I terminated our relationship. We did not sign any contracts.

And which agent isn't motivated by the seller? They all want a higher price.

[staythecourse]

Just keep in mind any property the have shown you they can make a stink later on of being entitled a commission based on laws of procurement if you decide to purchase so Do NOT look at any more houses or go over comps with them in the future.

Hi,

We ended our relationship with our realtor. This person showed us a home that we liked. We did not put in an offer because this realtor asked us to take out a bigger loan, rather than show willingness to negotiate on our behalf.

I just want to confirm that we should not entertain purchasing this home in the future.

Thanks

It doesn't mean you shouldn't buy the house if you liked it. It just means the commission MAY go to the original agent so any new agent you use may not have any interest in getting involved IF the sellers agent makes it a big deal. Either way a quick google search will show laws of procurement doesn't just mean they SHOWED you the house, but they helped in you deciding to BUY the house. That is usually why agents want to show you comps so they have footing later to stake claim on any commission. It is amazing this happens so much yet no one even knows what laws of procurement even means.

What happens or not in real life in the end who knows. The bigger issue is if you like the house and buy it your new agent may not be involved much as they may be told the commission will go the original agent which either means you go at it alone (not great if have no experience in buying a house or the local market) OR go work for the original agent.

This happened to a house we liked once and left a sour taste so I walked out of the deal so NEITHER the sellers agent (he was too smug thinking he called the shots) and the past agent (didn't know about any of these rules as most don't so they represented me without me even knowing) got nothing instead. I will say I like being vindictive more then if I bought the house.

Good luck.

[mortfree]

Yes, I understand. That's why I terminated our relationship. We did not sign any contracts.

And which agent isn't motivated by the seller? They all want a higher price.

I annoyed my agent so much when selling my home that there wasn’t much push for a higher price.

It was all a game. I won some of them, and the agent won some too.

I got the realistic price for my house but I made sure the agent knew I was not happy about the price (game on).


Anyways good luck in the real estate game. Be patient and try to check your emotions. Agents play off of them.

[stan1]

Hi,

We ended our relationship with our realtor. This person showed us a home that we liked. We did not put in an offer because this realtor asked us to take out a bigger loan, rather than show willingness to negotiate on our behalf.

I just want to confirm that we should not entertain purchasing this home in the future.

Thanks

All you had to say was "this is the offer we are making". And the realtor would have presented that offer to the seller. The realtor would be expected to tell you that you are making a low offer that the seller is likely to decline and to advise you that you should strengthen the offer. At that point you just say "thanks for the input, but we want to proceed with the low offer". The seller might have declined it out of hand if the property has only been on the market a short amount of time. If its still on the market after 3 or 6 months they might be willing to negotiate on your lower offer.

[stan1]

Yes, I understand. That's why I terminated our relationship. We did not sign any contracts.

And which agent isn't motivated by the seller? They all want a higher price.

Actually a fast sale is usually more important to a realtor than a higher price.

How much below the asking price was your offer? How long has the house been on the market? What information do you have to believe the house you were shown is over priced?

[Tal-]

Hi,

We ended our relationship with our realtor. This person showed us a home that we liked. We did not put in an offer because this realtor asked us to take out a bigger loan, rather than show willingness to negotiate on our behalf.

I just want to confirm that we should not entertain purchasing this home in the future.

Thanks

I can't speak to the legal guidelines, but yes - I would say that purchasing the home through a different agent would be bad form (in my personal, unprofessional opinion).

And while I'm not trying to get on your case, if you saw the house *after* you decided you didn't like the agent, but while you were still trying to figure out how to tell him/her, then the fault is yours. Continuing to act as if a professional relationship will exist after you know that it won't causes issues. In this case, it cost the agent some time, and it cost you some time and the opportunity to bid on the house. Again, I'm not trying to be rude, just noting that assertiveness can be the most professional and respectful way to act sometimes.

[indexfunds]

We do not currently have an agent and will not look at or put an offer on any of the homes the previous agent has showed us. I was just asking for my own education and for when we do start looking again in the future. Thank you to the above posters for clarifying.

[stan1]

We do not currently have an agent and will not look at or put an offer on any of the homes the previous agent has showed us. I was just asking for my own education and for when we do start looking again in the future. Thank you to the above posters for clarifying.

In the mean time I'd put some time into looking at comparable closing sales prices (not listing prices) in the areas you are interested in. It is easy to build this knowledge yourself so you don't have to rely on the realtor.

That will help you know what's within range of your budget and be more comfortable about what the market price is. Single family home sales is a pretty competitive and transparent market in most cases unless you are in a very niche market. If the owner lists the house too high it won't sell, and if it is listed low multiple offers will bid the price up. If you need to make a compromise are you willing to reduce a bedroom/bath? Are you willing to buy a house that needs a lot of work? Are you willing to buy a house on a busier street to be in the school district you want? Knowing the closing prices for similar homes will help you understand the market.

[RatherBeSailing]

I think giving them a parting gift is nuts.

+1

[F150HD]

Hi,

My current real estate agent is being very pushy about putting offers on homes, some are out of our price range. The agent also asked me to consider taking out a higher interest loan to afford homes outside of our price range. What is a good way to gently end this professional relationship? We did not sign a buyer's contract.

This agent took us to look at houses for 2 weekends and I feel bad wasting their time. The homes we looked at are either too expensive for our current budget or lack quality school systems, which is a deal breaker for me. So I think we will hold off on buying and continue to rent. But when we do decide to buy later, I prefer to use a different agent who is not as aggressive. That's why I want to end the relationship without them continue to contact us or getting angry.

Thanks

odd, there was a thread w/ extremely similar content a month or two ago.

post #1 is a bit confusing at first read. if you didn't sign a contract then you do not legally have a real estate agent as stated (in red). So "fire buyer's real estate agent" - there is no one to fire.

[Dottie57]

Do you think they will get it if I say I am stopping my housing search? Or do you think I have to be more blunt and say I am terminating the relationship?

Truthful and blunt.