Gotsuckedin,

You already know the answer to your question is that YOU need to do a better job of choosing an agent.

Contrary to what some suggest the Letters after the Name, Code of Ethics ect. have little to do with the honesty or character of the agent. A liar will always tell you how honest he is!

Use your experience to make the next situation work for you better and review your expectations/goals so you can interview agents. You are hiring services and they are selling them. SHOP!

Gilda provided some good questions and I'm sure your experience has left you with a few!

Best of luck with your new agent and search,
Dunes

I realize you've been deployed. I also realize your family is in temp housing. I have 2 daughters married to army men, so I understand somewhat of what you're going through. As the husband/father, you must be feeling alot of emotions. Being away from your family and thinking of them in temp. housing. I'm sorry you are going through this. I know when my buyers think something is going to happen, (and I've told them it was going to happen) they expect it to. If the relationship isn't completely messed up with your realtor, try talking to him/her and see what you both can come up with.
Sounds like you are giving up with present realtor. If that is true, you will want to find another realtor. Some things to ask are:

1. How long have you been a realtor?
2. Get some references-maybe a few phone numbers that you could call.
3. What education has the realtor had?
4. If they suggest a short sale--ask how many have they done?
5. Ask them if you can get out of the contract if you're not happy with their services.

Now adays your realtor can set up a search through email. That way you can see what is available in your inbox. In fact, you and your wife both can look at the searches. She could go and look at some while you're gone and be your eyes. That may save some time. I'm not sure if you're a 1st time buyer, but if you are-what a great time to buy a home. With the $8,000 tax credit, it could be worth having your wife look while you're gone.

Take care and just know that you and your family are special. You've only been postponed. Your dream of homeownership will happen. You will propably find something you like even better. Thank you for what you are doing and what you have done for us back in America.

As a veteran myself, my thanks to you and your family for your service and the sacrifices you make in serving our country.

I feel it's important to mention that anyone with a Colorado real estate license is prevented from giving legal advice unless they are also an attorney. So, as a Colorado Real estate Licensee, advising you about how to get out of a legal contract is a violation of Colorado Real Estate Law.

In addition it is a violation of the Realtor Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for any Realtor to interfere with a current relationship between another Realtor and their client unless directly contacted by the client to discuss services for AFTER when the current agreement has expired.

With that said, while I cannot speak for another Realtor's business practices, I am confident enough in the exceptional service I provide my clients that I always have a provision where I tell my clients that if EITHER of us are unhappy with our working relationship, all either party has to do is provide a signed notification to the other requesting termination of the agreement. Certain provisions in the Colorado contract that protect me as the Realtor from unscrupulous or dishonest actions by the client of course remain in force, but the client is then free to work with another agent if they wish.

Despite your current dissatisfaction, most Realtors are at least trying their best to serve their clients needs and know that it's not worth the time, effort or brain damage to work with a client with whom they don't mesh.

This is why it's important to ask certain questions when interviewing a Realtor to make sure the Realtor you choose is going to be able to provide the level of service you desire.

1. How many Professional Designations (Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), etc.) and How Much Continuing Education does the Realtor Have? This will tell you if they treat being a Realtor as a PROFESSION or not. It will also let you know if they have the specialized training and expertise you need for something like a Short Sale or Bank Owned Properties.

2. Does the Realtor work only with Buyers, only with Sellers, or Both. Realtors who work with both are familiar with both sides of the negotiation table which keeps them savvy enough to advise you properly and negotiate aggressively on your behalf while still making the transaction close successfully.

3. Can they provide you not only with written testimonials from past clients attesting to their professionalism, but also with past clients they can actually contact and speak with regarding their services? This speaks for itself, but usually if someone is willing to provide numerous references that you can follow up with regarding their service, professionalism and character...the chances of getting a poor agent are greatly lessened.
See: http://www.BrianWess.com/ClientTestimonials for example

I hope this is helpful and I sincerely thank you for your serivice

Best Regards
Brian L. A. Wess
CRS, GRI, ABR, ASR, CSR, e-PRO
Realtor®, Broker Associate
Residential & Investment Specialist
Pat Newell & Associates, Inc - Metro Brokers
Colorado Springs, CO
Direct: 719-528-6672
Web: BrianWess.com
COLORADO REAL ESTATE...DONE RIGHT!™

THE Homes For Heroes™ Realtor for the Pikes Peak Region
http://www.HomesForHeroes.com

Remember, not all agents are bad. Obviously you had a bad expereince, don't let that discourage you. It has never been a better time to be a buyer. Let me know how I can help.

Thanks for the advise i have got so far. I waited 133 days before pulling the offer. Im currently still looking online on my own at houses in the area how ever since the original house was unable to close in time im now deployed overseas and had to put my wife, daughter and dog all in a temp home until i get back which is costing a lot money. Since i refuse to work with the realtor or the brokerage company im pretty well stuck. Again thanks for all of the advise.

I agree with Barb. On average, short sales are taking 120 days to approval, and then probably another 30 to 45 days from there to close. If you need to to buy a home quickly you should probably not be looking at short sales. Don't be fooled by the name.

If your Realtor told you that you could close in as little as 45 days and you signed the contract because of the quick transaction I think you can get out of the contract. However, I am not an attorney, so you will probably want to call one if the Realtor won't cancel the contract. I think your best bet is to say to your Realtor, look you said it would be done in 45 days and now it's 4 months later, I would like you to release me from the Buyer Agency agreement in writing. If they say no, then contact their Managing Broker and ask them to do it. I am sure this Realtor wanted this transaction done with by now too and has probably worked extremely hard to get it done but with Short Sales we're all at the banks mercy. I've been pretty lucky with short sales however, I did have one that took three months and was a nightmare...to the point that I was rethinking my career choice. That was over a year ago and those Buyer's love their home and the instant equity they have in it. Short Sales are for those with plenty of time and patience, you can't rush them.

If you feel this Realtor has done everything possible to get this transaction done, maybe you should just ask them to withdraw the short sale offer and find another home for you.

Good Luck to you, I hope you get settled in your new home before deployment.

Sandy Kinslow
The Kinslow Team
Coldwell Banker

Hello and THANK YOU for your service to our country. Sorry to hear things haven't worked out with your short sale. Many can get done in 45 days, but some drag on and on. The problem may not be with your agent at all and usually caused by the lender's inability or unwillingness to negotiate in a timely manner. Your agent has probably been doing eveything he/she can to make this happen for you and has probably put in many hours trying to help you to this point. Your buyer agency contract is basically your employment contract with the agent and if you don't think the agent has been working hard for you, you could ask your realtor if they would consider terminating early. On the other hand, be sure that you aren't unfairly blaming your realtor for something beyond their control. Your agent already knows what you want and can afford so instead of changing, why don't you withdraw your offer and have your agent find another home that can be closed quickly?