What would you do if you had a buyer sign a 12 month buyer's contract and after 2 months the buyer said "I can't work with you anymore". Would you give them an unconditional release?

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Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

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Who wants a client who is not happy working with us?

Nov 02, 2015 02:24 PM

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John Center

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John - Absolutely, I would have no problem letting them go. If they do not want to work with me, then why should I force them to. I can't see any benefit in doing so.

Nov 02, 2015 10:06 AM

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John Center

Albany, NY
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Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

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I would never hold anyone who doesn't want to work with me hostage. I would also never sign anyone up for a 12 month period.

Nov 02, 2015 07:48 PM

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John Center

Albany, NY
Joan Cox

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Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

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Of course! I include language in my agreements that allow either of us to terminate the agreement.

Nov 02, 2015 12:25 PM

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John Center

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Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

If someone does not want to work with you, I would release them. Forcing them to work with you would make both of you uncomfortable.

Nov 02, 2015 10:14 AM

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John Center

Albany, NY
Nina Hollander, Broker

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Cindy Davis

SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Yup, I would. -In this day and age of social media...I don't want to give them a reason to write a bad review.

Nov 02, 2015 07:45 AM

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John Center

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Spirit Messingham

Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ

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Yes. Buying a house is stressful enough, if client and agent do not get along, nearly impossible. This is the reason why I do not ask clients to sign a buyer broker until they are ready to write an offer. The buyer broker ties me to them as much as they are tied to me. I would never enforce it, so why get it signed? It turns off many potential clients when the agent demands they sign with them, when they have not even worked together.

Nov 02, 2015 06:52 AM

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Nina Hollander, Broker

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Candice A. Donofrio

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Vaya con Dios my darlin!

Nov 02, 2015 06:44 AM

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KAREN SANCHEZ

Reputable Realty - Apple Valley, CA

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I would let them go. NEXT! Make room for the people in your life that are supposed to be there.

Nov 02, 2015 06:39 AM

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Debbie Gartner

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I would want to let that person go. there is no way I'd want to work w/ someone who doesn't want to work w/ me. There are too many other great clients out there.

And, I'd be glad they told me at 2 month mark and not at 10 months.

Nov 02, 2015 06:37 AM

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Nina Hollander, Broker

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Chris and Dick Dovorany

Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL

Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Of course. What would it prove to make someone miserable for 10 months just because either one of you can not work with the other?

Nov 03, 2015 06:59 AM

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John Center

Albany, NY

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Evelyn M Epperson

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA

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Yes I do not want to keep someone who no longer wants to work with me.

Nov 03, 2015 06:43 AM

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John Center

Albany, NY

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Fred Hafdelin

Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

Sure. If the situation is bad enough for my buyer to want out its probably that bad for me too.

Nov 03, 2015 05:23 AM

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John Center

Albany, NY

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Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

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John Center With broker approval, I would let them out of the agreement.

Nov 02, 2015 09:37 PM

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John Center

Albany, NY

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Richard Weeks

Dallas, TX

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You have no choice except your broker would have to sue them, and no broker is going to do that.

Nov 02, 2015 09:22 PM

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John Center

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Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041

ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL

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What do you think your options are that will allow you to sleep at night?

With the little information provided of coure you provide a release with the exception of those owners and agents previously contacted not exempted for 90 days, then a complete unconditional release.

Nov 02, 2015 06:03 AM

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John Center

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Nancy Robinson Ranked #6 in MI

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Yes I would.

Nov 02, 2015 06:03 AM

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John Center

Albany, NY

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Valeria Mola

SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

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Great question and answers.

Nov 02, 2019 03:43 PM

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John Center

Albany, NY

The specific situation is this: I am a real estate appraiser who wants to purchase a home. I signed a buyers contract for 12 months under pressure so that I could place a quick offer on a Fannie Mae property with a bid deadline for homeowners. I realized 1.5 months into our search we could not work with this realtor and asked for a release with a clause that if we purchased any properties he showed us he would receive the 3% commission. The realtor said no. I offerred to pay $1000. for his time. He said no. It has been 15 days since I have heard from him and I cannot see or purchase a home now for 10 months and my current home is listed for sale by owner.

Nov 02, 2015 09:33 PM

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John - Absolutely, I would have no problem letting them go. If they do not want to work with me, then why should I force them to. I can't see any benefit in doing so.
I would never hold anyone who doesn't want to work with me hostage. I would also never sign anyone up for a 12 month period.
Of course! I include language in my agreements that allow either of us to terminate the agreement.
If someone does not want to work with you, I would release them. Forcing them to work with you would make both of you uncomfortable.
Yup, I would. -In this day and age of social media...I don't want to give them a reason to write a bad review.
Yes. Buying a house is stressful enough, if client and agent do not get along, nearly impossible. This is the reason why I do not ask clients to sign a buyer broker until they are ready to write an offer. The buyer broker ties me to them as much as they are tied to me. I would never enforce it, so why get it signed? It turns off many potential clients when the agent demands they sign with them, when they have not even worked together.
I would let them go. NEXT! Make room for the people in your life that are supposed to be there.
I would want to let that person go. there is no way I'd want to work w/ someone who doesn't want to work w/ me. There are too many other great clients out there.

And, I'd be glad they told me at 2 month mark and not at 10 months.
Of course. What would it prove to make someone miserable for 10 months just because either one of you can not work with the other?
Yes I do not want to keep someone who no longer wants to work with me.
Sure. If the situation is bad enough for my buyer to want out its probably that bad for me too.
John Center With broker approval, I would let them out of the agreement.
You have no choice except your broker would have to sue them, and no broker is going to do that.
What do you think your options are that will allow you to sleep at night?

With the little information provided of coure you provide a release with the exception of those owners and agents previously contacted not exempted for 90 days, then a complete unconditional release.
The specific situation is this: I am a real estate appraiser who wants to purchase a home. I signed a buyers contract for 12 months under pressure so that I could place a quick offer on a Fannie Mae property with a bid deadline for homeowners. I realized 1.5 months into our search we could not work with this realtor and asked for a release with a clause that if we purchased any properties he showed us he would receive the 3% commission. The realtor said no. I offerred to pay $1000. for his time. He said no. It has been 15 days since I have heard from him and I cannot see or purchase a home now for 10 months and my current home is listed for sale by owner.