Locked into a buyers agreement /agent refuses to release me!

Maraisondetre · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 9

Guys, this is my 1st time delving into the buying waters... I went with this one realtor because a good friend said she was fantastic. After the 1st outing with her, things sort of went slowly downhill but it wasn't until last week that the proverbial you-know-what hit the fan. The realtor had (on our 2nd outing to go view places) told me "oh the next time you will have an offer". So pressure to buy after only 2 weeks and 2 meetings with her was always there. Last I gave her a list of 30 properties because I give her 5 and she has to drive 1 hr to get to me and we can only ever meet after 5pm because she works (yes 7 days a week, I should have known that was a lie) - so she only ever shows me 2-3 and never follows up with the ones she could not schedule. I gave her a large list so she had more to work with - makes her trek out worthwhile and mine too. She refused to show/book them. Todl me I did not know what i wanted (which I had made clear to her the 1st time I spoke to her) and that "all condos look the same" hahaha. Among other things... I then called and asked her flat out if she wanted to work with me and be my realtor or rather release me from the buyers exclusive agreement - she responded with she wanted to work with me...but...cannot show me 30 properties.

I believe she is in breach of the agreement which states she needs to work with me to help me find a place - making a good faith effort. She has outright refused to show me what I asked her for twice.

I am not sure how I can "fire" her or end this agreement - any ideas how? Do I need to involve a lawyer?

liverichly · Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 199 Location: Orange County, CA

I'd contact the state department that handles her licensing.

EricJ · Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Posts: 321 Location: New Jersey

You need to hire a lawyer anyway to handle the eventual purchase transaction. So, I would just have him/her write a threatening letter on your behalf demanding the release.

You can also just simply tell the agent that you are unhappy and want to be cut loose. If she refuses, then simply tell her that you will spend the next month posting in blogs about how horrible her service is. Explain to her that the info will turn up in web searches on her name. That should get her attention.

Haplo · Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 2422 Location: Springfield, IL

Many of these agreements have exit clauses. Contact her broker and explain to her your dissatisfaction with her service. Sales people don't like having their name drug through the mud and ultimately that's what will happen if it doesn't go well for you.

Sounds like we're a couple months late on this overall, but hopefully others will see this.

Jenie0109 · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 307 Location: chicago IL

a good lawyer would be a great idea!