Hired wrong agent?

Ashley, the urgent thing here is not the agent. It is the contingency clock on the house she already agreed to buy, and I would look at that contract today. Most contingent purchase contracts contain a kick-out clause, sometimes called a bump clause. It lets the seller of the new house keep marketing it, and if they receive another acceptable offer, your stepdaughter gets a short window, often 72 hours, to remove her sale contingency or lose the house. If that clause is in her contract, the real deadline is not "when does the current house sell," it is "what happens the day the other seller gets a better offer." Pull that contract out and find out three things: is there a kick-out clause, what is the notice period, and is there an outside date by which the contingency must be satisfied regardless. Everything else follows from those answers. Now on the agent. I want to gently separate two things that are getting bundled together. The eight-day prediction was a mistake, and the bigger mistake was saying it to multiple parties in the other transaction, because that set expectations for people who are now making decisions based on it. That was unprofessional. But 23 days on market is not, by itself, evidence of a bad agent. In a lot of markets 23 days is completely ordinary. The optimistic forecast is a red flag about judgment, not proof of failure. So diagnose before you decide. Ask the agent for these specific numbers, in writing: How many showings, and how many in the last week versus the first week. What is the written feedback from each showing. What is the current average days on market for comparable homes in this price band, not the whole market. What have comparable homes actually closed for in the last ninety days, and where does our list price sit against them. What is the plan for the next two weeks, specifically. The pattern in the answers tells you the whole story. Lots of showings and no offers means the price is wrong. Very few showings means the pricing or the marketing exposure is wrong. If the answer is "be patient, the market is slow," with no numbers behind it, that is when you have a real problem, and it is a problem of process rather than of luck. If the diagnosis is price, the fix is a price reduction now rather than in three weeks, because the contingency clock is running and every week of hesitation costs her leverage on the house she actually wants. If the diagnosis is the agent, here is the order of operations. Talk to the agent directly first, with the numbers in front of you. If that goes badly, contact the broker of record, meaning the licensed broker the agent works under, not the agent. Brokers often reassign a listing to another agent in the office rather than lose it, and that is faster and less painful than a cancellation. Read the listing agreement for its cancellation terms and its protection period, meaning the window after cancellation during which the brokerage may still claim compensation if a buyer they introduced comes back. One thing to be careful about, and it is the reason I would not rush to fire anyone this week. Changing agents mid-listing resets days on market in some MLS systems and not in others, and relisting can also signal to buyers that something is wrong. In the middle of a contingency clock, the disruption may cost more than it gains. Fix the price first if price is the problem. Change agents only if the process is broken. And one practical option worth raising with her: if the current house does not sell in time, ask whether bridge financing or a short extension from the other seller is possible. Sellers frequently grant an extension rather than start over, particularly if the current house is under contract or close to it. That conversation should be had before the deadline, not after. I am a real estate professional, not an attorney, and I have not read either contract. Given that there is a contingent purchase and real money at risk, having a local real estate attorney read the kick-out language is worth every dollar. I am Zoltan Peresztegi, and I work Los Angeles and the South Bay, so Wilmington is outside my market. If she wants a genuinely independent second opinion on the pricing, I am glad to connect her with a local agent who will give a straight read without pitching for the listing. Zoltan

Ashley, that sounds so stressful, especially with your new house on the line! First, request a written update and revised timeline from the agent, in writing so there's a record. If communication doesn't improve fast, check your listing agreement for a cancellation clause — many allow termination for lack of performance. You can also loop in the agent's broker directly. Given the time crunch, I'd move quickly on all of this. You're right to be proactive here!

When timing is critical like this, the most important thing is to shift the focus from frustration to immediate control of the situation. From what you’re describing, there are really two separate issues here: communication/expectation problems with the current agent, and urgency tied to the contingent purchase. Here are the practical steps I would recommend: First, escalate communication immediately. If your agent is not responding or following through, contact their **managing broker**. Every agent operates under a broker, and the broker has a responsibility to ensure the listing is being properly serviced. This can often result in: • A different agent stepping in to support the listing • Clear accountability on timelines and communication • Immediate correction of marketing or showing issues Second, request a clear, written plan from the agent (or broker) outlining: • Current pricing strategy • Active buyer outreach efforts • Showing feedback and next steps • Realistic timeline based on current activity Third, evaluate performance quickly based on facts, not promises. If the home is not generating strong activity and communication is inconsistent, it may be appropriate to consider: • Reassigning to a more responsive agent within the same brokerage • Or, if necessary, terminating the listing agreement (depending on your contract terms) Since you are in a contingent situation, speed and execution matter more than anything else right now. A strong listing strategy in the first 7–10 days is usually critical in this type of timeline. The key is not to wait for improvement without accountability—get the broker involved right away so there is immediate structure and follow-through.

Ashley, we seem to be missing a few material details to determine the root of the cause. What is the current property condition and pricing compared to the immediate comps on the market? What marketing is taking place for the property? Have their been any offers? Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

If you feel your current agent is not meeting your expectations, the first step is to review the listing agreement or buyer representation agreement you signed, specifically the duration, cancellation terms, and any provisions for early termination. In Florida, most agreements are with the brokerage rather than the individual agent, so your conversation may need to start with the broker of record. In Citrus Springs, Citrus County, Florida, the real estate market has its own pace and property mix, including rural acreage, deed-restricted communities, and agricultural adjacent parcels that require local knowledge to price and market correctly. If your agent lacks familiarity with the specific area, property type, or buyer pool that matches your home, it can translate directly into longer days on market and weaker offers. Contact the broker and clearly explain your concerns in writing. Many brokerages will assign a different agent rather than release you from the agreement entirely, which can resolve the issue without terminating the contract. If you are seeking a full release, present your case professionally and document any specific failures such as lack of communication, missed deadlines, or no marketing activity. Keller Williams Elite Partners brokers are available to review your situation and work toward a resolution that serves your best interests. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells

Ashley, I would assume this agent is helping you with the acquisition and these scenarios happen all the time. Be grateful you have the home sale contingency so you are not stuck with two homes. I would follow the guidance recommended to speak with the supervising broker, but again this scenario does happen. I wish you all the best. Concord, MA real estate

I would recommend speaking to the Broker about the situation.

Sorry about your experience. The best thing to do is reach out to the supervising broker.

The best thing to do is reach out to the agents broker and review the listing agreement that is in place. You can also contact a real estate attorney regarding the implications of cancelling the listing agreement. Sometimes there is a cost involved and either way if there is a listing term (6 months or whatever the case may be) Technically that means it was agreed to allow the current agent/broker to carry the listing until the end of that term. Best of luck!

I would speak to the broker and get their assistance.