When Your Real Estate Agent Isn't Working Out: A Guide to Making the Switch

Whether you're buying your first home or selling a family property, your real estate journey should feel collaborative and purposeful. But what happens when your agent doesn't return calls promptly, lacks a clear strategy, or leaves you feeling confused about next steps? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and more importantly, you're not stuck!

Red Flags 

A professional real estate relationship should feel like a partnership from day one. Here are the warning signs that yours might not be working:

Missing action plan and consultation. The biggest red flag isn't a single bad showing or delayed callback—it's the absence of a clear strategy. A quality agent should sit down with you early in the relationship to understand your goals, timeline, and concerns. For buyers, this means discussing your budget, must-haves, and preferred neighborhoods. For sellers, it involves reviewing comparable sales, discussing pricing, and determining strategic steps to prepare your home for the market.

If your agent jumped straight into showing properties or listing your home without this foundational conversation, you're missing a crucial step. You should always know what comes next and feel confident that your agent has a roadmap for reaching your goals together.

Communication breakdowns are equally problematic for buyers and sellers alike. Your agent should establish clear expectations about response times and stick to them. Whether you're waiting to hear back about an offer you submitted as a buyer or wondering about showing feedback as a seller, radio silence creates unnecessary stress.

Good agents proactively communicate market updates, schedule changes, and next steps. They return calls and texts within their promised timeframe and keep you informed even when there's nothing urgent to report. If you find yourself constantly wondering what's happening with your transaction, that's a problem.

Inappropriate pressure tactics can derail your entire experience. While real estate markets sometimes do require quick decisions—multiple offer situations for buyers or time-sensitive pricing adjustments for sellers—a good agent helps you make informed choices rather than pressured ones.

Warning signs include agents who dismiss your concerns, rush you through important documents, or make you feel uncomfortable asking questions. 

The Logistics of Making the Switch

Before you have any difficult conversations, grab your paperwork and do some detective work. Here's your step-by-step guide to making a break:

Review your buyer representation agreement carefully. Look for the contract start and end dates and consider where you are in your transaction timeline. Switching agents a week before closing creates very different complications than making a change early in your process. If you're under contract on a purchase or have accepted an offer as a seller, ending your agent relationship becomes much more complex and may require legal consultation.

Hunt for cancellation terms. Most contracts include a section on termination that outlines exactly what you need to do. 

Look for penalty clauses. While uncommon, some agreements include cancellation fees for sellers or requirements that buyers pay commission on any properties you viewed with that agent, even if you purchase them later with someone else. 

Follow the contract's cancellation procedure exactly. If it requires written notice, send an email and follow up with certified mail. If it specifies a particular format or language, use it. Don't give your agent or their broker any reason to claim the termination wasn't valid.

Get confirmation in writing. Request written confirmation that the agreement has been terminated and that you're free to work with another agent.

Consider having a conversation first. Sometimes agents don't realize they're missing the mark, and a direct discussion might turn things around. But if you're certain about moving on, you don't owe anyone an explanation beyond "I appreciate your time, but this isn't working out."

Finding Your Real Estate Partner

This time around, you'll know what questions to ask. Interview potential agents like you're hiring for the most important role in your real estate journey - because you are.

Ask about their consultation process and how they develop action plans for clients. A great agent will have specific examples and a clear methodology. 

Your Real Estate Journey Deserves Better

Whether you're buying or selling, working with a real estate agent should reduce your stress, not add to it. The right professional will make the process smoother by providing clear guidance, consistent communication, and a strategic approach tailored to your specific situation.

Trust your instincts. If your current agent relationship isn’t “clicking”, if you're confused about next steps, frustrated by poor communication, or feeling pressured into decisions, it probably isn't working. Your future self will thank you for making the change.

After all, the best real estate agents don't just facilitate transactions; they guide you confidently toward your goals, whether that's finding the perfect home or successfully selling your current one.

Wondering what a great consultation feels like? Reach out and let’s get one on the calendar!