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Buying or Selling a Home/Not satisfied with real estate services

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Expert: - 8/22/2009


Question
Hello, I have recently put my home on the market with a pretty large real estate agency and it has been a terrible experiance thus far. The company took a week to put the for sale sign in my yard and whenever I call with questons my realtor is never available and doesn't call me back so I have been gettin my questions answered by a secretary. I have had potential buyers knock on my door to view the property and say they tried to call and set up an appointment with the company but no one would answer the phone or return the call after several attemps.
I was told Buyers had to go thru the agency to view but if they won't answer the phone I miss buyers and I might as well be selling the home myself. I am under a contract with this company and do not feel comfortable paying 6% if I have to sell the home myself. Is there a way out of this nightmare?  

Answer
Hey, Korry.

Yes, there is a way out. First, though, let me know what state you're in.

Russel

Hey, Korry.

I checked around and it seems like in any state you pretty well have a cause to fire your Realtor. Make an appointment with the broker of the company and tell him your complaints and ask to be let out of the contract. He'll probably try to assign you to another agent so that he can keep the commission with his company. Whether you stay or not is totally up to you and your comfort level with that company.

Hope that helps.

Russel

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Russel Ray

Expertise

Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.

Experience

Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas

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