definitely drop 'em. you have far too much at stake to get mediocre service. There's nothing wrong with having multiple agents working for you. Remember, they're going to get paid if they do a good job. Don't let them get paid for doing a crappy job. Find another one.

I'm a realtor who works with both buyers and sellers. Trust your gut on this one. So far, this guy has cost you time. If you continue on, he will cost you money because his incompetence will matter when you start negotiating the contract and all issues through closing. I'm glad that you've had some good experiences with agents in the past. I would recommend that you find a very good agent and tell him (her) what you have been through. A good agent will be able to evaluate how realistic you are being. If you are realstic you will have a really good agent who will work hard for you. The new agent will treat you like anyone else because he (she) wants you to be sucessful, resulting in a paycheck for the agent. I have networks of agents and systems to find the really good agents. I will be happy to find a really good agent for you and you will be able to meet and see you like the agent. Please contact me via my website at http://www.StaffordHomeTeam.com
Sincerely,
Chuck Arias

Hi there – I'm a REALTOR, and thought I'd give you a little input. If your agent is not working for you, then cut him loose. Not everyone works well together, and it sounds like you'd be doing both parties a favor by finding someone that does their job well and with whom you ENJOY working. And also, agents don't know or care that you looked at houses with someone else first, so don't worry about that. One word of caution – if you signed an exclusive "I'll work with you" form – then review it before firing him. Some of those agreements will obligate you to pay a commission in the event of a sale. My advice would be to call the firm and ask to speak to the manager. Then ask what you need to do to cancel the agreement. If you didn't sign any such form – then you have NO obligation to him. Good luck!

I love when people take 1 bad experience, or NO experience and put a whole group of people in their bad experience folder i.e.(Joe KLONDIKE)
Sorry Joe if you had a rough go of it, but some of us do work hard to put our clients interests above our comission checks.
After all why screw someone for short term, when I could help them over and over and over again teaching them the ins and outs of real estate and mortgages helping them and myself make long term gains.

As for the question at hand…it is YOUR right to get good service…if you wanna switch make sure you aren't going to breach any buyers contracts you may have signed.
Try talking with the agent and/or the broker to see if the issue can be handles before it comes to that.
In the end you dont wanna pay for crummy service…a house is a huge investment you want someone who appreciates that.
Hope it all works out

I am an Exclusive Buyer's Agent, and EBA. Representing buyers is all I do. Doing the best possible job for them, is always my focus.

Now, I don't know the intent or quality of your agent, or what he is up against. I also don't know you, if you are fair minded or not, realistic or not about the market.

All that being said, what I have discovered over the years (I have a company that has represented buyers in 80 Connnecticut towns from 100K to 6M) is that it is very, very important that it be a good working team, and part of what this requires is that the buyer client be forthcoming with their complaints if they have them. Tell him your thoughts…have him explain his thinking (or lack of it).

I never do anything for the wrong reason…but it is easy for a misuderstanding to arise because, and if I don't know about it, and can't address it, and confusion can erupt.

This will allow you to determine if you are in a touch market and should change your target, or change your agent.

Pratical advise. Have the agent send you all homes in your price range and widest area, with only basic limitations. YOU decide which to see or not see. It is often a mistake to have him reject properties for you in many cases. If your price range is limited, he has to know that you are at least exposed to what is out there, rather than decide for you becuase you gave him guidelines.

The problem is, there could be an exception, outside your guidelines, that you fall in love with. There are a lot of exceptions like this, it happens very often.

On the other hand, if after you voice your concerns, you find that it really is him that is incapable, and not just the frustration of searching that make you feel that way, you will have no choice but to find another agent.

He has invested time, so talk to him, and determine the underlying truth of your situation, and then act accordingly. You don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater…so have the discussion, know both perspectives, and move forward fully informed. Sooner is better for both sides.

John at BuyCT.com

Never settle for less with a realtor! If they are not cutting the mustard, heave ho! My husband and I have been house hunting since December. We have been through at least 3 realtors.

I highly recommend that you take active interest in finding the house you want. You need to determine what you want. Let the realtor help but don't be totally reliant on them.

I would highly recommend that you secure yourself a "Buyer's Agent."

A buyer's agent works solely on behalf of the buyer and owes duties to the buyer which include the utmost good faith, loyalty and fidelity. The agent will negotiate on behalf of and act as an advocate for the buyer.

We have a Buyer's Agent and she is wonderful!

A good agent:
1) Friendly, Personable
2) Knowledgable
3) Uses Technology to his/her advantage
4) Available
5) Understands the needs of the buyer
6) Opinionated where it counts.
7) Flexible

National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents
http://www.naeba.org/

Ask your present agent how long he has been in real estate. He sounds as if he is new and not asking his broker for help.

You can switch agents (which I would do) because if you find something you like you want to make sure your agent that is representing you knows how to put together a contract that is legal fro the start. You also want someone who is competent through the whole process because he can make or break the who deal if you allow him too.

Switching Realtors is never a bad idea if you are in this type of situation. Honestly, you want to get the right deal for your family, and if this guy cannot provide you with this, then you should move on. He is not doing his job–he cannot answer your questions, does not know the area, is trying to push houses out of your range (possibly). His incompetence, if you continue, will most likely land you with a house that you will be unhappy with.

Do not worry about bad referrals. Things like these happen all the time. Clients often get swapped; if they've been in the business long enough, they'll understand. With the next Realtor you work with, just be very clear–explain what you want and explain everything that the other Realtor did to you (or did not do for you).

Hope this helps, and good luck.