All Topics > Real Estate Resources > Selling > Finding a Listing Agent > Unhappy With Your Real Estate Agent? >

Unhappy With Your Real Estate Agent? Illinois

Before you consider "firing" your agent, honestly determine why you're dissatisfied.

Local Companies

James W. Klopfenstein & Associates, Inc.
(309) 673-9111
320 E. Jackson
Peoria, IL

Suburban Village Realty
(847) 337-9236
Barrington, IL

RE/MAX Market
708-254-5815
8728 S. Archer Ave
Willow Springs, IL

RE/MAX Signature North
(847) 863-5295
5135 N Ravenswood
Chicago, IL

Flat Fee MLS
847.543.7822
921 cambridge drive
grayslake, IL

Rent Smart Chicago
(773) 275-2700
5650 N Broadway
Chicago, IL

A Plus Home & bUILDING iNSPECTIONS, iNC.
815-941-2345
749 E. Washington St.
Morris, IL

Prudent Home Inspection
618 334 5785
PO Box
Bethalto, IL

A Plus Home & Building Inspections
(815) 941-2345
749 E. Washington
Morris, IL

Silverstar Home Inspection Inc.
815-931-1191
P.O. box 837
New Lenox, IL

provided by:

If you signed a listing contract but are unhappy with your agent’s performance, it may be because:

• Your home is not selling as quickly as you’d hoped
It could be that you had unrealistic expectations. While some homes do sell in a few days, many more are up for sale for weeks and often months. This may reflect a tepid market or a glut of homes for sale in a particular neighborhood but, more often than not, it signals overpricing.

“If your house is not selling, be honest with yourself,” says Eric Cunliffe, senior vice president and general manager of the RealEstate.com Broker Network. “Did you force your agent into a higher price than they recommended?” Ensure that the competitive market analysis (CMA) that your agent prepared jibes with your asking price.

And while you’re being brutally honest, remember those interior and exterior “curb appeal” touch-ups your agent suggested but you were just too busy to finish? “The agent is the expert,” says Cunliffe. “Get those little jobs -- like brightening up the front porch or cleaning the windows -- done and out of the way.”

• Your agent is not fulfilling his or her obligations
A truly negligent agent is certainly the exception, not the rule. When you sign a listing contract, you can expect an agent to perform a number of standard marketing efforts. These include activities such as putting up a “For Sale” sign in your yard, listing your home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), holding open houses (for both prospective buyers and other agents), advertising and arranging showings.

If your agent does not properly market your home, complain to the managing broker of the firm he or she represents and request another agent -- assuming your contract is with the firm, not the agent. If it’s with the agent and you’re insistent on terminating the contract, you may legally have to prove your agent’s lack of “due diligence” in carrying out accepted marketing procedures, At this point, you may want to consult a real estate lawyer and, if he or she is a licensed REALTOR®, report the person to the National Association of REALTORS®.

To protect yourself in the future
To protect yourself from getting stuck with a lax agent or someone whose personality doesn’t fit your own, your best bet is to sign a listing agreement with a firm, not an individual, and restrict it to a 90-day term. If you and your agent are on the same page, you can always renew your listing agreement. If you’re not satisfied, a shorter agreement term gives you an “out” and a little less stress on the path to selling your home.

Published on March 22, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

James W. Klopfenstein & Associates, Inc.

3096739111
320 E. Jackson
Peoria, IL

Read more about Unhappy With Your Real Estate Agent?

- Advice On Selling A House Illinois

Here are some important things to consider and do before you decide if you should sell your home yourself – and keep the Commission in your pocket.

- Discounters Vs. Full Fee Vs. Flexible Fee Real Estate Agents Illinois
- Do You Need a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your House? Illinois
- Real Estate Agent Doesn't Cost Buyers More Illinois
- Making Money With Investments Illinois
- Step 4: Finding a Real Estate Agent Illinois
- Buying Rental Property Illinois
- Things Real Estate Agent Need To Know Illinois
- Dealing With Dual Real Estate Agents Illinois
- What to Ask When Choosing a Buyer's Agent Illinois

Regional Articles

- Do You Need a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your House? Illinois

Advice on selling your house without the help of a real estate agent.

- Dealing With Dual Real Estate Agents Illinois
- Discounters Vs. Full Fee Vs. Flexible Fee Real Estate Agents Illinois
- Buying Rental Property Illinois
- Advice On Selling A House Illinois
- Step 4: Finding a Real Estate Agent Illinois
- Things Real Estate Agent Need To Know Illinois
- Making Money With Investments Illinois
- Real Estate Agent Doesn't Cost Buyers More Illinois
- What to Ask When Choosing a Buyer's Agent Illinois

Related Local Events

REIT School: Analyst Training in Real Estate Securities
Dates: 6/24/2009 - 6/24/2009
Location: Hyatt Regency O'Hare
Rosemont, IL
View Details

Illinois Real Estate Development & Finance
Dates: 6/18/2009 - 6/18/2009
Location: Renaissance Chicago Downtown
Chicago, IL
View Details

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History