Ann,

WOW. I am suprised they told you that. Does this person have a team or something?

-Sean

"usually deals with higher end buyers" - how completely obnoxious of your realtor.

$120, 000 - $140,000 is not a small amount of money for anyone, especially YOU, and absolutely no excuse for their behaviour. Good luck to you with your next agent and I hope they do not waste your time as this one did.

Thanks for the answers. I have switched realtors. I spoke to the original one and he said he usually deals with higher end buyers (and I am looking for $120,000-140,00 range). So it was mutual...lol:)

Ann
The short answer is yes you can use another realtor and you owe nothing to the realtor who did not help you to your satisfaction. Look for a buyers agent that you are comfortable working with and who will not only be agressive in finding you a home but will be agressive in negotiating a contract to your best interest.
Procuring cause is not your problem however it may be a concern for the next agent. Be sure to advise him of that possibility and let him decide on how best to handle it.
If you decide to look in Bucks County, we would be happy to help you.

Fran and Mark Redding
Prudential Fox & Roach
1010 Stony Hill Road
215-504-7500
215-321-3307 DIRECT

My advise would be to contact the Broker of the agent that showed you the home and let them know that you are not satisfied with the service you are receiving. If you are interested in one of the homes that agent showed you, the Broker can have a referral agreement signed by yourself and the agent involved, to refer you to a different Realtor either with the same company or to another company. That way the original agent will receive a referral fee on any home you purchase using the new agent. This could eliminate the "procuring cause" issue, if the referral is written properly. Tell the broker just what you said in your Trulia question, that you are not interested in continuing to work with that agent. This does not increase any monies you may owe and it does not increase any monies the seller will pay in commission. It does decrease the amount of commission your new agent will receive as they must agree to share the co-op commission with the original agent in the form of a referral.

Brenda Gravitt CRS, GRI
Coral Shores Realty
bkgravitt@gmail.com

Ann
I would suggest talking with friends, family members, or business associates for a referral.

A couple of options:
1. Call them and thank them for their service, but say you have decided to hire a different Realtor
2. Wait a see if they call you. If you don't hear back, maybe the feeling was mutual?

3. Note the term "procuring cause". Although you have not signed any documents, if you move forward without clarifying your relationship, and buy the home through another agent, there may be issues regarding who earned the commission. You might, in your search for representation, ask to see a copy of the buyer broker agreement. Read it, ask questions, and be comfortable with the professional you choose to represent your interests.

Hi Ann,

Real estate professionals know the hazzards of doing business as well as their commitment to provide the highest level of service to their customers. Our recommendation is to be direct by telling him that, in your opinion, he has not met your needs and explain your concerns.

The choice is yours, as to move on or give him another chance. By being direct and addressing the issues, you may find service you could not have imagined or more of the same. Go with your feeling.... the decision is yours.

Good luck

Hello Ann,

Sorry to hear of your frustrations.

Certainly if you did not hire your buyer agent, you can most definitely find another.

A buyer agent should work for you and have only your best interests at heart. You must also make sure that you do feel comfortable with whoever you choose. A buyer agent should be tech savvy, an expert negotiator, personalble, have a sense of humor (I think a sense of humor is key) not be afraid to fight for you when necessary, know the Agreement of Sale like the back of their hand, know how to structure your deal and be available when you need them. Those are just some of the qualities a professional, experienced buyer agent should have as well as work full-time.

I make sure that I put my client's interests first no matter what. It is not my goal to make sure that I am friends with Realtors. Many Realtors have problems with taking things personal and letting that interfere with doing their job for their clients.

I sell all over Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

I'd love to chat with you further about your situation. Feel free to email me or give me a call at (215) 669-0589.

Feel free to get to know me a bit better by reading my blog at http://www.reneeporsia.com

Renee Porsia
Associate Broker
RE/MAX ACTION REALTY
(215) 669-0589 Direct
(215) 358-1100 Office ask for Renee
http://www.reneeporsia.com

ASSUMING you didn't sign anything that binds you to that REALTOR contractually, of course you can change agents. As I've written before, one of the most valuable tools a real estate professional offers, is to sit there with you at the beginning and listen -REALLY listen - to what your wants and needs are - and then find the properties that best fit your needs. There are a couple of ways to go about finding a new REALTOR - first, and probably the most awkward for you - is to talk with the one you are thinking of leaving and explain what you are about to do and ask if there is anyone in his office he could refer to you. That way, if you find the right property, the referring agent will generally give a portion of the commission he/she earns to the agent you don't like. Most people don't like the idea of being that blunt and will go find a new agent by themselves. If you have friends who have recently had a real estate transaction, ask them the name of the agent they worked with; if their chemistry was good, chances are since you are friends, your chemistry might be good. Again, this assume you aren't bound to that REALTOR contractually. I don't know where you are located, but in most US markets, almost any REALTOR would be happy to work with you. Good luck.

Ann,

Procuring cause may apply but if there is a lapse in communication and he/she does not follow up and you said you are reaching out and they are not responding then there should not be a case.

Find someone you are comfortable working with and go from there.

best of luck


Sean

Hi Ann...as long as you haven't signed a Buyer Agency agreement with him you can change Realtors. You should feel comfortable and confident with any agent representing you. Your agent will be responsible for writing the contract, negotiating on your behalf, keeping you informed every step of the way and making sure the transaction goes smoothly right up to settlement. The only problem I could see is that he could claim procuring cause as he was the one that initially showed you the property. However, since he did not get you the answered you seeked, was not helpful and rushed you through the property, his case may be week at best.
Bev Kalb
Century 21 Longacre Realty
610-845-6000 x 208
610-442-6897 direct http://www.century21longacre.com

Ann - Find another realtor if you are not happy. You will be working closely with whomever you choose so you have have confidence and be comfortable with them. Good luck!

If you don't have a buyers brokerage agreement with him, there is nothing to keep you from choosing a Realtor who will meet your needs