How to tell your REALTOR® you're choosing a new agent

Working with a good real estate agent can be the key to buying your dream home and easily navigating the home buying process. However, if your agent doesn’t understand the local market or your goals, you could risk overpaying or missing out on the right house. That’s when you might make the tough call to fire your REALTOR^® as a buyer.

Sometimes it’s the case that your real estate agent isn't the right fit, and you may want to choose a new one. Yes, you can fire your REALTOR^® during the home buying process, depending on the terms of your agreement, but there are things to keep in mind to avoid burning bridges or violating any contracts.

What can you expect from a good REALTOR^®?

Real estate agents assist buyers or sellers in a real estate transaction, advocating for their clients along the way. Your real estate agent’s responsibilities are different depending on whether you’re selling or buying a home. Let’s look at some of the key responsibilities of a listing agent versus a buyer’s agent.

Listing agents

Listing agents represent the seller in a real estate transaction. They help sellers price their homes, hold open houses, and evaluate and negotiate offers. Typical responsibilities for listing agents include:

• Research comps to determine an appropriate selling price
• Help you stage the home
• Market the home to potential buyers
• Organize open houses and viewings
• Evaluate offers and negotiate with the buyers
• Facilitate the closing with the buyer’s agent

Buyer’s agents

Buyer’s agents represent the buyer in a real estate transaction. They help buyers find homes that meet their needs and budget, make a competitive offer on a house, and help navigate the closing process. Typical responsibilities for buyer’s agents include:

• Help you research neighborhoods
• Search the MLS for properties
• Take you on home tours
• Write and submit an offer letter
• Explain possible seller concessions
• Help you negotiate a final sale price with the seller
• Facilitate the closing with the listing agent

Signs you should fire your real estate agent

Your real estate agent should be a licensed professional, but even then, they may not be the right fit for you. If your real estate agent exhibits any of the following behaviors, it may be time to consider firing your real estate agent and finding a new one:

• Refuses reference check: If your real estate agent denies your request to talk with previous home buyers they’ve worked with, that may be a red flag. They may be unable to provide references due to privacy policies, but it’s reasonable to ask about their experience and reviews.
• No license record: Find your state’s real estate licensing board and look up your agent. You’ll see how long they’ve been licensed and whether they’re in good standing with the board.
• Dodges your calls: It’s an agent’s job to keep you updated on your search for a home. If they’ve agreed to be available for a certain number of calls a week and aren’t following through, it’s something to talk about with them.
• Shows up late: You want your first impression with a seller to show respect for their time. If your REALTOR® is late to an open house or walk-through, it could indicate unprofessional behavior and inconvenience the seller.
• Disrespects your preferences: It’s the real estate agent’s responsibility to be honest with you if a two-story home with a pool is unreasonable for your budget or the local market. It can feel like your agent isn’t listening to you if they’re showing you homes that don’t match your needs without explaining why.

Ultimately, it’s possible to resolve your issues with direct communication. Ask your real estate agent why they’re not calling you back or why they won’t give you a reference. Poor communication could cause you unnecessary delays in the home buying process or even cost you the house.

How do I fire my real estate agent as a buyer?

Your options for breaking up with your real estate agent could depend on where you are in the home buying process. If you haven’t signed an agreement, it’s likely easier to get rid of the real estate agent you’re working with but still a decision that you shouldn’t make lightly. If you have signed an agreement with an agent, it may be more difficult, but you still have options.

Before signing an agent agreement

It’s common for agents to ask buyers to sign exclusivity agreements.  Under current MLS and industry rules (post-August 2024 settlement), agents who participate in most MLSs must have a signed written buyer agreement before showing or touring homes with you. Some states also have their own agreement or agency law requirements, so practices may vary. A buyer’s agency agreement  often lasts anywhere from 30 to 90 days, though the length is negotiable and varies by brokerage and market conditions.

If you haven’t signed a buyer’s agent contract, it could be much easier to break up with your REALTOR^®. Be direct and kind about the situation and ask them ahead of time if there’s a good time for you both to talk. You can start the conversation by thanking them for their time and telling your real estate agent you’ve chosen to work with someone else.

Be prepared to offer feedback if they ask for a reason for your decision. If you’re turning down a family member or friend, less is more. You may not want to combine business with personal, but be mindful that they may need additional time to rebuild your relationship.

After signing an agent agreement

If you’ve signed an exclusivity agreement, firing your REALTOR® could be tricky, and in some cases, may not be possible. As a seller, terminating the contract improperly could mean you still owe your first agent a commission when you sell your home. As a buyer, it’s possible that you may need to give advance notice or pay an early termination fee, but this varies by state.

If you’re unhappy with your REALTOR®, they may already know. You can ask your real estate agent if they’re willing to mutually cancel the contract, which is the ideal scenario. If you’re at the start of your buying or selling journey, your REALTOR® may agree to cancel the contract because they haven’t invested as much time in the process.

It’s wise to weigh the pros and cons of having this conversation. Thoroughly read your contract to understand if there are penalties for firing your real estate agent. Keep in mind that most agreements have an expiration date. So if you’re close to that date, letting the contract expire may be the easiest option.

How do I know which REALTOR^® to choose?

Ideally, you want to choose a great REALTOR^® from the beginning, rather than having to end the relationship. When you’re interviewing real estate agents, be sure to vet their reputation and reviews, check their license status, and ask questions that are important to your goals. Some questions to consider asking include:

• Do you work full-time or part-time?
• What is your preferred communication style? Phone call, email, text?
• When do you require an exclusivity agreement?
• Have you worked with clients with a similar budget?
• How many sales have you completed in the past year?
• Are you familiar with the neighborhoods I’m interested in?

Don’t feel pressured to sign an exclusivity agreement if you’re not confident they’re the right fit. It’s okay to say you’re still in the interviewing process.

The bottom line: Breaking up with your REALTOR^® might be difficult but necessary

Telling your real estate agent you’re firing them isn’t the ideal scenario, but ultimately it may be what’s best for everyone. Understanding whether you’ve signed an agreement, are free to walk away, and if there are potential penalties can help you navigate the situation with clarity.

Remember to conduct yourself in a professional manner and be prepared to explain your decision. At the end of the day, moving on from your current REALTOR® could help you along the home buying journey.

If you’re ready to buy your next home, you can begin the mortgage application process on Rocket Mortgage^®.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, medical, legal, financial, or tax advice. You should consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. Consumers should independently verify that any services, products, or programs referenced meet their needs and comply with applicable requirements.