We have been with a realtor for a couple years. He has shown us houses two or three times over the past 4 years. Recently we have decided that the housing market is low enough for us to consider moving. We've been looking actively for the past 3 months and have made a offer on one home that we lost. I'm concerned that our realtor is not aggressive enough. Have you ever changed realtor's mid-house search? When do you decide to move on? Thanks.
If its not working its not working. But, please keep in mind, that if you drop him, he has been actively working for you the past 3 months for free. YES, he does deserve an explanation. Plus hes going to find out through the grapevine if you go with another realtor. Your realtor should be doing whatever you tell him to do. Are you being aggressive enough? I would tell him your concerns before you drop him.
Yes it's okay but first, be up front with your realtor about what you feel you need in your working relationship - that right now you are more motivated than ever and would like him to be more aggressive about finding and negotiating terms on a house for you. Give him a couple of weeks to follow through. If he doesnt, then suggest it's time to go separate ways.
Yep. Its a business. If you feel that you need a change of pace, do it. You don't owe him an explanation.
I have a realtor that is ia friend, but for the last house I bought, I actually stumbeld on it before it was listed, so they asked if I would use their realtor to list my other house since she lost the commission on the house I was buying. I said okay. I would've preferred using my friend, and and one point wish I had, but they understand that its a timing game.
Have you signed any papers with him? I would just make sure that there are no time restrictions on anything you've signed. Otherwise, you should feel free to move on.
M.
Real estate is a nasty business all around, which is not to say that you should also be nasty, but definitely don't be afraid to stand completely up for yourselves.
It's possible that since you haven't been that serious about buying a house in the past, that he doesn't realize how serious you are now, and doesn't want to do a lot of work for a low chance of payoff. On the other hand, if you made an offer, that's pretty obviously a good sign of commitment. Definitely talk to him and see if you can get a feel for whether he'll step it up now that you're really serious.
My sister switched realtors, but that was pretty early on; their realtor sent them very few listings and refused to show any houses after dark (basically that meant they could never go after work). So they switched after a couple weeks. Their new realtor was great at first but got a little questionable during negotiations on inspection items.
Also I'm sure you already have an attorney (if you don't, just stop reading right here and go hire one); once you've made an offer and especially after the inspections are done, it's a great time to let your atty handle things. Realtors often collude with each other to the detriment of their clients (staying barely within the law, or at least hard to catch); the lawyer is the only one working definitely for you. I've had lots of issues that dragged on and on and nearly ruined deals, that the lawyers were able to work out in a couple days.
Sure you could switch realtors anytime, but be clear with what you want and that you are now seriously looking. They don't want to waste their time showing houses for people who aren't ready to make a decision and buy a home.Your realtor can only do what you tell him to do, was your bid too low on the house, did you listen to his suggestions? This is his income, he will work hard to find you a home if you let him know you are ready. I think the issue if that you have been "looking" for 4 years, no realtor wants to waste their time.We did what our realtor suggested and he was great. We looked around ourselves for homes but he knew what we wanted. He called us as soon as the house we wanted was dropped $10k in price, we listed our home to sell 3 days later and put an offer on that house the same day.
Why has he shown you so few houses? Is it because you guys weren't serious up until now? Why did you lose the house? Maybe you didn't offer enough money. These days, even though its a buyers market, the right houses are still selling. Basically, if you are not comfortable with the realtor then get a new one. Just look over whatever paperwork you signed.
