Can You Switch Real Estate Agents During The Offer Process?

Congratulations! You’ve found your dream home. Nothing could be more exciting than that! You’ve made an offer, but…you and your agent are not really hitting it off. There’s another agent that someone introduced to you or you’ve been talking to that you’d like to work with instead.

Is that even possible? An article by realtor.com recently answered this question and the answer is not that simple.

Aside from making things awkward between you and your agent, there are a lot of questions to ask to safely say if you can switch or not.

Question 1: What are the things the agent has done during the home search process?

If the agent has taken you out and shown you several homes, but there’s only a verbal agreement between you and them, you’re not obligated to work with them. That stands true even if you’d like to make an offer in one of those homes they've shown. If you’re not satisfied with your agent’s service or your working relationship, you can choose another agent to make an offer for you.

Question 2: Was a contract signed between you and your agent?

Now a contract is binding and definitive. If you’ve already signed a contract, specifically a buyer’s agency agreement, that means that you are agreeing to work with an agent for a certain period of time. If by chance that you found a home during that timeframe and would like to make an offer, the agent should be given a commission and you would not be able to switch agents.

Question 3:  Was an offer submitted through the agent?

If the offer is submitted, it’s almost considered a done deal. It’s considered a procuring cause of the transaction. Once the offer is accepted, the agent is entitled to receive the commission agreed upon. At this stage, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to change agents.

What to do?

Before starting your home search, do not just choose any agent just so you can get started. Do your own research, ask your family and friends for recommendations, and even read reviews about agents in your local area. In this way, you’ll never have to worry about switching agents at whatever stage you are in the homebuying or even the home selling process.

Our team has been working with families for almost 2 decades and has received 320+ 5-star Zillow reviews! If you’re looking around the Bay Area, we’d love to work with you! Call us at 925-415-0835!

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