I met with an agent, explained I didn't want a long term agreement, maybe till school was out, as I was only looking at size, areas, prices right now. She said standard was 6 mo. I said I preferred shorter, she said it's what we agree too ( as in she and I make our own terms). I signed the agreement, ask for a copy, she said she would scan then in and email it to me.
10 days later, I'm requesting a copy again. She gave me an excuse for not getting it to me. When I received it, it said 6 mo. Not what I requested. I then questioned her and she said no less than 6 mo as that was what all their office's do. But it was to late to redo the time on it.
I don't want to work with her. She will not get my listing, nor will her office. But she says I'm locked in until after the 6 mo. Which means the fall and I can't sell in the fall, it will be off season for selling a family home.
Asked by D Thornton | Broken Arrow, OK| 04-17-2025| 1,173 views|Working With an Agent|Updated 1 year ago
First, know that you are not alone. It is frustrating when the agreement you thought you made with an agent does not match what you received in writing. In Oklahoma, the Buyer Broker Service Agreement (BBSA) is a legally binding contract, but it can usually be canceled if both you and the broker (not just the agent) agree in writing.
Here are your options:
✔️ Start by requesting to terminate the agreement in writing. Ask the broker (meaning the office’s broker, not just your agent) to formally release you.
✔️ If the broker refuses, review the agreement carefully. Some BBSAs have a “termination clause” explaining what happens if you want out.
✔️ Be aware of the protection period. Even if you terminate, you might still owe a commission if you buy a property you first saw with that agent within a certain time frame.
✔️ You may need to escalate. If you feel you were misled or pressured into signing under terms you did not agree to, you have the right to file a complaint with the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission (OREC).
Most reputable brokers will not want to force an unhappy buyer to stay under contract. Real estate is a relationship business, and no good broker wants a client who feels trapped.
At the end of the day, you should work with an agent who listens, communicates clearly, and honors what was agreed upon. If you need more resources, the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission offers consumer guidance at http://orec.ok.gov.
What happened to you is not okay. You clearly communicated your preference for a shorter term, the agent verbally agreed, and then locked you into six months on the paperwork. That's either deceptive or careless, and either one is a problem.
Contact the managing broker of her office in writing. Explain exactly what happened. You requested a shorter term, she indicated you could set your own terms, you signed based on that understanding, and when you received the copy ten days later, the term was six months. That discrepancy between what was discussed and what was signed is a legitimate issue that the broker needs to address.
If the broker won't release you, file a complaint with your state's real estate commission. Agents are held to ethical and legal standards around disclosure and contract terms, and what you're describing could be a violation depending on your state's rules.
In the meantime, document everything. Save your texts, emails, and any written communication where the term was discussed. If she acknowledged your preference for a shorter agreement in writing at any point, that strengthens your position significantly.
Most brokers will release you once they hear the facts because keeping you locked in creates more liability for them than letting you go. Don't wait out the six months if you're unhappy. Escalate now.
A buyer's agreement does not mean that you need to list with them first. And second, call the broker of record for the firm and inform them of the situation.
Keith Jean-Pierre
Managing Principal
The Dapper Agents
Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA
I totally agree with the prior answer. It looks like you have to address your concerns with the broker of record for the office that your agent works for. there is a possibility to cancel based on mutual agreement and no broker is going to want to force you to work with them. I am sure they will try to offer you to work with another agent. This would be your best option.
Being in a buyer’s agreement can feel a little like you’ve committed to something that no longer fits, and that can be uncomfortable. Here’s the good news: those agreements aren’t forever without options.
Most buyer’s agreements in Texas include a section that outlines how long the agreement lasts and the conditions for ending it. Sometimes it’s as simple as putting it in writing and giving notice; other times, it may require a conversation with the broker. The key is this—you have the right to ask, “What would it take to end this gracefully?” That one question does two things: it protects you legally, and it opens the door to a win-win resolution.
If you feel like the relationship isn’t the right fit, be honest but respectful. Agents should prefer to release you than risk bad blood or a complaint. At the end of the day, this is about trust and fit, not force. You deserve someone who feels like a partner, and you can get there by approaching the conversation directly but with kindness.
You verbally agreed to a shorter term, but the written agreement says 6 months, and you didn’t receive a copy until later. That matters. In real estate, the signed written agreement controls — but there are several important exceptions that can work in your favor. There is misrepresentation or at minimum, a lack of informed consent. To resolve this you can: Request cancellation, Escalate to her broker, File a complaint if needed. In many cases, get a mutual release, Brokers often do not want conflict or complaints. Sometimes it just does not work out and that is ok. You can get out of this. I would not want this to happen to me either.
