Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

Ask Heather about: Mortgages, Finance, Taxes or Home Selling?
  

Disappointed in Agent

  I chose the wrong realtor, no advertising, nothing but a sign in front of my house. She has not shown the house one time in 2 months, She doesn't want to let me out of the contract. Can I take it off the market? What legal responsibility do I owe her if someone comes after her sign is gone and wants to buy
 
 

Is your home listed in a multiple-listing system?  If it is, other agents know about it and should be showing it.  If they're not, that means your asking price is too high.
The agent may not want to let you out of the contract, but so what?  You have every right to withdraw the agency you gave her..  Start, though,  by talking the problem over with the supervising, managing broker in that office.  If you're already dealing with the broker, a note from your lawyer should do the trick.
The listing contract you signed will tell whether you have any responsibility for payment of commission after you've cancelled the listing.  In most cases, you'd owe a commission only if you sold to someone who saw the place while it was listed, but better read your particular contract to be sure.

    Edith
Originally published on October 29, 2007
 
    Back to Summary