Sorry... but the Q&A section is not a place where I'm inclined to click through to an article, read something lengthy and then click back to comment. I suggest you write a post about this and get people's comments.

I don't click through on links in the Q&A. 

Good post & then it turns out to be a 'commercial' for 2 agents. THAT makes me skeptical. Why use their name? Was the post to give advice or do a sales pitch for the 2 agents?

I don't like the heavy emphasis on stats.  I prefer the testimonial, client satisfaction factor.

I support easy release clauses in listing agreements.

Not satisfied with my services, I will withdraw the listing!

This article is a sales pitch cloaked in the perception of a problem. And of course the SOLUTIONS is presented, not in the Q & A but as the only resource to provide the answers to the questions they create.

Not different from the "21 Questions to ask the agent you are interviewing" nearly all real estate agents peddle.

They are ALWAYS questions the author agent can answer positively.

What the article fails to mention is 'THE AGENT DOES NOT OWN THE LISTING." That is kind of important.

There should not be a 'difficult' way to fire your agent - a simple termination is all you need here.  

In fact, I tell people that if they write in a crayon on a piece of scratch paper, "You're fired!"  - that's all I would need!  I wouldn't EVER want to work with someone who is not happy with my services!

Alexa,

I look at it as not being the right match.  Making each other wrong is idiotic.  A

Dialog should precede the firing.  Much goes on beyond the scenes and though the clients may think that nothing is happening it may be on schedule.

Step 11.  Tell your agent you have decided to use another agent. Tell your agent who you have decided to go with.  Ask your agent to reach out to the agent you wish to use and tell them the old agent is going to give them a referral for a 25% referral fee.  That way the agent can at least recoup some of their marketing cost. 

Alexa Collins Why would I want to give this information to someone on how to fire their real estate agent?

Okay. First thing. You don't have to fire an agent you selected properly in the first place. Secondly, the best agent FOR YOU may not be the one with the top stats.
That article gave me a headache.

Straight to the point always works best

It is different for everyone

Too broad.

Alexa Collins - something to fire Real Estate Agent - not really will go there....lol!

not sure what the problem is.... just terminate the agent....  the agent will have another job before sundown.... 

The best way to approach anything is with dignity, honor and respect. Sometimes we have difficult messages to deliver.  We put on our big boys and girls pants and deliver the message like the adults we are. 

Overall a decent article.  I think it makes "firing" an agent sound easier than it is.  The "I'm going to hire a lawyer" won't work, a contract is a contract.  I'd put a step 0 in there "Call your agent's broker and ask why he won't return your calls."

The "Agents who sell homes faster than other agents" stat is invalid because it is easily skewed by the house.  My listings sell very fast, usually in one week, two at the most.  Why?  Is it my marketing (yes, but not exclusively).  Why?  The houses I list are renovated to an amazing level.  I just sold one in 4 days for the highest price EVER ACHIEVED FOR THAT MODEL.  Why, it was rennovated, walls were added and removed and it looks better than most brand new homes.  Other homes in that area have been sitting for months because they are of inferior quality.

There are many more factors than stats alone can speak to.

Sound I do not go to links in Q & A

Charlotte, I think it's really important, whether it's a listing agreement or a buyer agency agreement, for there to be a clause that allows either party to terminate the contract.  I think it's a huge mistake to try to hang on to a listing when it's not working for both parties.  

And if you haven't had it happen, you'll appreciate this kind of clause the first time that you desperately want our of a listing, and the seller doesn't want to let you out!  

Also, I agree with Nina.  Including an article this long (I skimmed it only) in the Q&A may not be the best way to raise the issue.

As others have responded~

It's inevitable it'll happen and tough to survive if you take it all personally. I always wish my Sellers the best of luck whether they fire me or I must fire them. The odds of every customer agreeing with your methods is unrealistic although you must lay the groundwork at the onset to give it legs. Know that it's just business!

Sorry but I'm with Nina Hollander on this - I never click through.

I think if there is an issue it needs to be communicated and a chance to fix it given,. Most often it is the lack of communication. After that fire away

Thanks for the question.

Harry F. D'Elia nailed this one!

If an agent truly isn't doing work they should be doing, then it's certainly time to fire that one/hire a new one.  As to selecting a new one, the best way is referrals and a face-to-face meeting with the person to see if they'll be a good fit. There can be a lot of details behind stats that are important as well.

I'm not even going to check that link. I hope, none of us will get into the situation when they have to be fired. 

I haven't read it, and the way to handle firing a client, or the agent, depends on the circumstances, who is involved, and what has led up to the need to fire. Sometimes it is a bad match between the parties!

Lots of clients rely on the advice of the Realtor, right from the beginning. Your question focuses on what the buyer should do, but the Realtor can't change the buyer he or she has.  All the Realtor can do is take personal responsibility for providing the best possible service and giving no cause for complaint to clients.

I don't visit unknown websites.

      A lot of the big companies (and some of the smaller ones) will not let you out of the listing contract without paying a fee.   I worked for one company, they charged 1% of the list price for cancellation.  Another company charged $1000.  You (the Seller) should read the listing contract BEFORE you sign it.   Otherwise, you may be locked in for 6 months, or have to pay $$$ to get out.

Haven't read it.