Can I change agents after I've made an offer on a home?

Yes, you can, but here is the fact that changes this whole situation: your agreement is almost certainly with the brokerage, not with him personally. The individual agent is the person assigned to you. The contract sits with the company. That means your request does not go to the agent who is ignoring you. It goes to the broker of record, sometimes called the managing broker, at his office. That single move solves most of these cases. Managing brokers do not want to lose a deal that is already under contract, and reassigning you to another agent in the same office costs them nothing. You very often get a competent, responsive person by Friday without a fight, without a lawyer, and without the deal blowing up. Call the main office line, ask for the managing broker by name, and say you need to discuss your representation. Before you make that call, pull out your buyer agreement and find four things: - The expiration date and whether it is exclusive. - The termination or cancellation clause, and who has to sign for a release to be valid. - Any protection period, sometimes called a holdover period. This is the one that bites. It typically says that if you buy a property the agent introduced you to, you may still owe compensation even after the agreement ends. Which can mean you owe on this house specifically, whether or not he stays in the picture. - The compensation amount and who pays it. Since August 17, 2024, agents must have a signed written buyer agreement in place before showing homes, so you do have a document somewhere. Find it before you say anything to anyone. Now the harder half of my answer, and I say it because it may save your deal. You are mid-transaction. That is genuinely the worst time to switch, and some of what you are describing may not be his failing. Once you are in contract, you are on a clock with real dates: an inspection window, an appraisal, a loan contingency, a title review period. Miss one and you can lose your earnest money or your leverage to negotiate repairs. So when he calls with something urgent, it may actually be urgent. Bad communication sitting on top of legitimate deadlines still looks exactly like this. The fix I would try first, before firing anyone, is one direct conversation. Try something close to this: "I want this deal to close and I am not trying to make your job harder. But the way this is going is not working for me. I need two things. First, a written list of every upcoming deadline in this contract with the date each one falls, so I can plan around work. Second, at least 24 hours notice on anything that is not a same-day emergency. If you can do that, we are fine. If you cannot, tell me now and I will speak with your managing broker about being reassigned." That is a fair ask, and it also gives you a clean record if you do escalate. If you escalate, keep it factual with the managing broker. Dates, unreturned calls, what you needed and did not get. No character assessment. You are asking for a solution, not a verdict, and brokers respond much better to "I would like to stay with your firm but I need a different point of contact" than to a complaint. I am a real estate professional, not an attorney. Whether you can be released, and whether you would still owe compensation on this particular house, comes down to your specific agreement and your state's law. If the money at stake is real and the brokerage will not work with you, a one hour consult with a local real estate attorney is money well spent. I am Zoltan Peresztegi, and I work with buyers and sellers throughout Los Angeles and the South Bay. If you end up needing a fresh start with a new agent in your area once this closes, I am glad to introduce you to someone in my network. Zoltan

It depends on the buyer representation agreement you signed. If you're under contract with the agent, you'll need to review the cancellation terms before switching. If there's no agreement, or your agent agrees to release you, changing agents may be possible. That said, if you're already under contract on a home, switching agents mid-transaction can complicate things. I'd first have an honest conversation with your agent or their broker to see if the communication issues can be resolved before making a change.

You may be able to change agents, but don’t do it casually while you’re already under contract. Your buyer agreement and the offer paperwork may still tie that agent or their brokerage to the transaction. Start by contacting the agent’s broker. Tell them communication has become a problem and you need help immediately. The broker may assign another agent in the same office to take over, which is usually the cleanest fix. Don’t hire a new outside agent until you understand what you signed. You don’t want two agents claiming they’re owed commission on the same deal.

Speak to his broker and discuss your concerns. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Sometimes — but it depends on what you signed and where you are in the transaction. You may need a written release from the agent/broker before switching representation.

Usually, yes. Check your buyer agreement first—you might owe the first agent. Get a written release, then the new agent can step in.

Kara, I am assuming you have an accepted offer with your current agent? If that is correct, you are "stuck" with them, and like the other agent said you best recourse is to speak with the agent or their managing broker. But remember you are the client and they are there to serve you so if they have last minute requests I would not drop everything. I would do what I need to do and get to their requests in due time and if they feel that there needs to be more urgency then they should improve their communications. Years ago, we implemented a system of checking in with clients every Tuesday to allow the lines of communications to remain open and to also alleviate this fire drill mentally. I wish you all the best. Concord, MA real estate

Express your concern to your agent and see if they modify their relationship with you. If not -- then contact the office Broker (their "boss" where the agent works from and explain the situation. Either they will have another more responsive agent in the office assist you through the process or put a fire under your agents chair. There could be reasons unknow to you why he has changed his behavior. Real estate sales is more service than sales -- maybe you can provide that reminder.