What if you are justified? Can I rip the bandage off and say breakups are never easy? There are heartaches, tears, and the occasional tub of ice cream. And if you are the one pulling the trigger, there are also countless rehearsals, just to ensure emotions are spared. But still, feelings get hurt.
So, how do you handle professional breakups? If you are wondering how to tell real estate agent not interested, I have a few tips. Be honest and upfront with them. It’s okay not to click with an agent, but don’t delay. Communicate your decision clearly and timely to them. And always remember to be respectful.
Today, we are exploring ways to end the agent-client relationship or even tell an agent your house sale is already taken. Stick around for practical advice that will save both time and money while maintaining professional relationships. Let’s get started!
Understand Your Level of Relationship with an Agent
There are four different stages in a real estate relationship: strangers, acquaintances, friends, and serious.
If you are on the stranger stage, then there really is no obligation on either party. Chances are the real estate agent is generating leads and wants to know if you need help selling or buying a house.
They are throwing a hook to see if you will bite. There has been no investment of time or resources from the agent.
At this stage, you can tell the agent you appreciate the call, but you are not yet looking.
For instance, you could say:
Dear [agent name], thank you for the contact, but I am not yet in search of my next home. But I will keep your name and contact information should I decide it’s time to move in the future.
How to Tell Your Real Estate Agent You Are No Longer Interested
But before we jump into the ways you can tell your real estate agent it’s not you, it’s me, let’s first understand who you are breaking up with.
A real estate agent’s responsibility towards you depends on their role in a transaction. If you are a seller, then you will be dealing with a listing agent. However, as a buyer, you will enjoy the support of a buyer’s agent.
If you are a buyer, then walking away is easy. Just be upfront and clear in your communication. It will still disappoint your agent, but trust me, they will appreciate your honesty. You can also throw in there that you’d love to work with them in the future.
Granted, they will ask for an explanation, which you may share if you are comfortable. But if not, just tell them it is confidential or a personal reason.
Contrary to trying to wrestle you back into the transaction, some agents just want to know if the faux par was on their part and how they can improve going forward.
But if you are a seller, with a contract in place, wiggling your way out of the relationship may not be so easy. Should you lose interest in a transaction in its early stages, an agent could be more willing to cut ties.
However, the closer you get to a close, the more difficult letting go may prove.
Remember, your contract may have terms that may make an exit near impossible. To try to remedy the situation, the principal broker may reassign you an agent.
This remedial attempt is prevalent in scenarios where you have a problem with an agent and not necessarily no longer interested in a purchase. After all, your contract is with the brokerage and not the agent themselves.
But if you are insistent that you no longer want to work with the agency, you may need to legally suit up.
My advice would be to ensure that you read the fine print before attempting the drop. Know what its termination clauses and fees are. And if you can, wait out the expiration date.
If you are a buyer who has already placed a financial token as proof of their commitment, getting all the money back will certainly be an uphill battle.
Regardless of the hoops and the jumps you have to make, don’t enter into a new contract with another agent while your previous contract is still valid.
Start Early
Real estate agents receive commission based on the sale of a house, irrespective of whether they are the listing agent or buyer’s agent. I covered this in-depth in the article: How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?
This income model means every marketing attempt, listing, and viewings come from their own pocket. So, if you have decided it is time to end things, tell the agent early.
Don’t string an agent along and watch them squander their resources on a lead (you), that you know will never convert.
Be Kind
A quote from one of my favorite movies says, “When given the choice between being right or kind, choose kind.”
You have every right to walk away from an agent, but not to be rude or impolite. Telling an agent that you have decided to go with another agent or would like the part ways professionally will do.
Avoid any unnecessary statements that are undermining or geared towards character.
In-Person Is Always Better
Honest and direct communication is the number one trick to tell an agent you are not interested. Of course, there is no defined communication method for dumping real estate agents, but I think in-person communication is better.
It will certainly be more awkward and a little nerve-racking to look an agent in the eye and tell them it’s not working, but it is more honorable. It will also likely leave your agent feeling respected.
An email and phone call are the second-best options for agents since they scream professionalism and seriousness.
Whatever method you choose, by all means, never opt for a text.
Tips and Examples for Breaking Up with Your Real Estate Agent
When it comes to parting ways with your real estate agent, there are certain strategies that can help you seal the deal.
Don’t Ghost
The first rule of thumb is to never ghost your agent. Vanishing on your agent, ignoring their calls and messages won’t solve anything but rather create unnecessary tension.
Don’t Lie
Honesty should be the cornerstone of this conversation. Fabricating excuses or lying about your reasons will only complicate matters further. It’s important to remember that even if things don’t work out as planned, every experience provides a learning curve for both parties involved.
Don’t Bad Mouth Your Agent
While expressing dissatisfaction may be justified at times, refrain from badmouthing your agent or leaving negative reviews online. This could damage their reputation unfairly and burn bridges in an industry where connections matter.
Example Draft
As for how to phrase this delicate conversation, maintaining a positive tone can make all the difference. Express appreciation for their efforts thus far. After all, they’ve invested time into finding you a property.
For instance: “I appreciate all the hard work you’ve put into helping me find a home…”
Being clear and concise about why you’re choosing to move on also aids in keeping emotions at bay during this discussion.
You might say something like: “However, I have decided that we aren’t quite on the same page regarding my housing needs…”
Finally, seek confirmation from them by asking if they understand your reasons and whether they have any feedback regarding your decision-making process or expectations moving forward. This is particularly useful in verbal discussions, whether in person or over the phone.
Hey there [agent name], thank you for all you have done in the past few days to help me in my house-hunting journey. But you seem not to understand my housing needs. For the past three days, you have shown me single-bedroom houses when my request was for a three-bedroom house, not to mention always arriving late.
The culmination of all these events has led me to decide to work with a different realtor. I hope you understand my position.
Declining with Professionalism
Telling a real estate agent you’re not interested doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable or contentious process. By understanding your level of relationship with the agent, and being clear and honest in your communication, you can navigate this professional breakup smoothly.
Next Steps:
If you find yourself needing to part ways with your real estate agent:
1. Review relationship status: Assess your relationship level with an agent.
2. Choose a communication channel: Decide on how best to communicate (in-person vs over email/call).
3. Don’t delay: Deliver the news timely without dragging things unnecessarily.
4. Maintain professionalism: Don’t bad-mouth them or leave negative reviews online after parting ways.
Now that we’ve discussed how to tell a real estate agent that you’re not interested anymore, what has been your experience? Have any tips we forgot to mention? Share in the comments below!
