About Eric Sexton Expertise All aspects of buying and selling homes including: General real estate questions, Contracts, Negotiations, surveys, title work and general questions about mortgages. I CAN NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHERE LEGAL ADVICE IS NECESSARY.
Experience
I have been a real estate agent for 6 years and a broker for 2 years.
Organizations National Association of REALTORS and Texas Association of REALTORS.
Expert: Eric Sexton Date: 8/6/2007 Subject: Contracts with agents
Question Hi Eric,
My question is i am planning in purchasing property in the Houston Texas vicinity , I had gone to the area in April of this year to look at homes.Now in those dates i had signed two separate contracts with to different agents one told me the contract expired within three months , The other didn't mention the expiration date, And i at the time didn't bother because i didn't like the service i was getting from this agent. How can i be affected by there contract if i am planning in going next week to look more further for a home in those areas and work with another agent that i been talking to at the moment, I havent mention to them about my signing with the other agent.Any help will be truly appreciated thank you.
Answer Erik,
Without looking at the documents (Buyer's Representation Agreement), there is no way to tell when they might expire. This can be a very touchy area for agents and buyers. The agent makes money by showing you houses and helping you buy one. Most agent's will not work with a buyer who has already signed an agreement with another agent. There are many possible implications to the agent, but that is another topic.
The repercussions to you might be one or both of the agents asking you to pay them a commission based on the purchase of a property. Once again, there is no way to know without reading the documents.
To protect yourself I would ask the previous two agents for copies of the agreements you signed. You should easily be able to tell what your commitment to them is by reviewing the forms. I would also tell the new agent what has happened in the past. The new agent might help you review the two different Buyer's Representation Agreements and determine the status of each.
If one or both of the agreements are still in effect, you can ask that agent to write a letter releasing you from the agreement. This should satisfy a new agent that you are no longer obligated.
