New to forum

[wayne1]

Hi, everybody.

I'm new to the forum. I just thought I'd get involved on a forum about real estate because I've been trying to sell my house for a while. I also was in need of some advice on what to do about selling my home.

I've had it listed with Lana Belcourt of Epic Realty in Anoka MN for about 6 months now. The agent hasn't done her job at all. She's pretty much put it on the MLS and that's it. I've explained to her my greivences but she has taken no action to make the situation right. After not getting showings at all or not so much as one offer I've dropped the price $20k from $220k to $199,900 now. I've had a few second showins but she never stayed in touch with the other agents at all and they bought other properties.

I now realize that I really can't afford to sell it at the price I have it and I want to cancel the listing and contract but she and the broker will not let me. What can I do?

[Saodavi]

How much time is left in the listing agreement? You CAN fire the agent and you need to speak to her broker directly. Check you listing agreement ... it should list things that the listing agent is obligated to do ... most likely, she hasn't done them. If you make her life uncomfortable enough, she'll let you out.

I'd put a huge sign in my yard saying the agent is the worst agent in the world. Pass out flyers at all the brokerages naming your agent and stating that she isn't doing a good job. Ask other agents to come give you a presentation if they think they can do better.

She's not going to make the sale. Her seller is extremely pissed off and hates her. When she figures out she's not making any money and she's suffering harm to her reputation she'll back off.

Sorry you got a bum agent. There's a lot of them out there. Try to work by referral.

Welcome to the site.

[Saodavi]

ps - Legally, your agreement is with the broker. The agent works for and represents the broker. Ask the broker to assign you a different agent if they won't let you out of the contract.

Also, there might be a "buy out" clause. Tell her you'll reimburse any marketing expenses to date which she can document (which should be $0) up to $300.

Good luck.

[Dan Connolly]

Call an attorney! Laws vary from state to state. Find out what your state allows. I know in some places if the Seller is unhappy they can cancel a listing at any time. The agent then produces a list of people he has shown the house to and is protected if any of them come back for so many days.

[webmaster]

Do not put signs in your yard slandering the agent, you could get sued for a lot more than your house is worth. Although that sort of thing would be wicked fun and probably pretty satisfying, it is not very safe and really this situation requires more maturity than that. No matter how your agent is handling your situation, you should not stoop to that level.

Definitely speak to the broker and try to handle this amicably and professionally.

[Saodavi]

Yeah, you probably SHOULDN'T do what I previously suggested. That was about 30% serious and about 70% wishful thinking.

Anyway, the general idea is to put enough heat on them and make their lives sufficiently unpleasant that they'll be happy to get rid of you.

If it's a small office or a mom-and-pop gig, your agent might be the broker or the broker might not really care. If you don't get acceptable results, you can file complaints with the local board of Realtors if you feel they have acted unethically or unprofessionally.