What to do-- agent's poor hygiene is turning me off?

That’s a sensitive but valid issue. If it’s affecting your experience, you can politely address it or request a replacement through their brokerage. You deserve to feel comfortable and confident with your representative—it’s a professional relationship.

Buying a home is a personal and sometimes lengthy process, so you need to feel comfortable with the professional you hire. If the only issue you have with this agent is his hygiene, consider having an honest but tactful conversation with him. Bad breath and body odor can sometimes be caused by medical issues or medications, and he may be completely unaware of how it’s affecting you. A quick phone call or email saying that you value his expertise but have noticed something that makes touring homes unpleasant could give him a chance to address it. If you don’t feel comfortable bringing it up directly, you can also speak to his broker or office manager about being reassigned to another agent within the company. Ultimately, you should never feel stuck working with someone who makes you uncomfortable; there are plenty of qualified agents out there, and it’s okay to make a change if this continues to be a distraction.

Buying a home is a personal and sometimes very long process. You need to not only feel confident in the person you are working with but also comfortable. If you are comfortable having a professional conversation either by phone or email about how this is affecting the experience for you then I would recommend starting there. If you do not, that's ok too. You could ask him to refer you to another agent in his office or simply tell him you don't think that you're a good fit for working together. Just make sure that you keep it polite and do not shame him for it. The experience should be a fun and exciting one for you and this doesn't sound like it is, so you should make the necessary adjustment.

If I were in your agent's shoes, I would want to know why it's not working out. If his breath is the only obstacle, while it's a tough topic, if you handle it with compassion, a professional will make an effort to do better. If it's more than just his breath, as in, bodily odor, that's harder. Maybe something like "Hey, I hope you don’t mind me saying this — I’ve noticed a bit of an odor lately and thought you’d want to know. I figured I’d rather mention it quietly than have someone less kind bring it up.”

You shouldn’t feel trapped between keeping the peace and keeping your stomach intact. A great agent isn’t just knowledgeable — they should also make you feel comfortable during one of the biggest decisions of your life. Handle it kindly, but protect your own sanity. You deserve to enjoy the process.

Personal hygiene concerns are legitimate and uncomfortable to address, but you have real options that do not require damaging the professional relationship unnecessarily. In Tennessee and throughout the Southeast, most buyers simply switch agents when comfort is an issue, and that is a completely reasonable choice, particularly early in the process before a buyer representation agreement is signed. If you are already under a representation agreement, review the exit provisions before taking any action. If you want to stay with the agent and address the issue, the most direct path is to mention it privately to the managing broker rather than to the agent directly. Most brokerages have handled similar situations before and can address it discreetly without identifying you as the source of the concern. If you are not comfortable raising it at all, the managing broker can often reassign you to a different agent within the same brokerage without requiring explanation. Your comfort during the transaction matters, and you are entitled to representation that allows you to focus on the purchase decision rather than the surrounding circumstances. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners

I would not say handling this would not be any different whether they were a real estate agent or friend. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Hi Beth, buying a home is a big decision and you should feel comfortable with the professional who's guiding you through it. An agent's role requires a level of professionalism, and hygiene is part of that. Here are a few options to consider: • If you feel comfortable, speak to your agent privately and respectfully. Let them know you value their expertise but are having trouble focusing on homes because of the odor. Sometimes people are unaware or have a medical issue they can address once it's brought to their attention. • If you don't feel comfortable raising it directly, contact the broker or manager at the office. You can explain that while you appreciate the agent's knowledge, you would prefer to work with someone else and ask to be reassigned. • Review any buyer representation agreement you may have signed. If it's an exclusive agreement and you want to switch agents or firms, you'll need to formally terminate that agreement before hiring someone new. In most cases there's no penalty for ending the relationship, but check the contract to be sure. You deserve an agent you can spend time with and trust. There's nothing wrong with moving on if the fit isn't right as long as you follow the terms of your agreement.

You have two real options: gently address it, or switch agents. If you want to keep him, you can have a brief, private, kind conversation (phone or text) saying something like, “This is awkward, but I’ve noticed a strong odor sometimes when we’re touring and it’s really distracting for me—could you please help me out with this?” and see if it improves. If you’d rather not, review any buyer‑broker agreement you signed, then send a short, polite message or email saying you appreciate his time but don’t feel it’s the right fit and would like to end the relationship so you can work with someone else; if you are under contract, ask his broker for a written release.

Hi Beth, Home buying is stressful enough without fighting the battle of “who forgot deodorant?” If your agent’s hygiene is making you gag, it’s okay to either gently ask him to freshen up or politely switch agents. Your comfort matters — no house is worth holding your breath for!