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Before you sign a listing agreement you should first ask the
agent to research the average selling time in your
neighborhood. If a listing contract is for more than ninety
days, it should not exceed double the average selling time.
As for canceling the contract, a lot depends on whether the
agent works for a larger office with management, etc. Usually,
the office or company wants to retain your good will, and will
usually let you out of a listing agreement. It would be best
to broach the matter in a calm pleasant way instead of getting
hot and excited. Simply explain that you can no longer work
with that agent or company any longer and you wish to cancel
your listing.
Initially, they will (of course) try to talk you out of it.
Just keep repeating that you want to cancel and your reason
for doing so. If you do it calmly, they won't get defensive.
Most of the time, this works. Make sure to get the
cancellation in writing.
If it doesn't work, then you have two options. First, take
your home off the market during those six months. Second,
consult an attorney. I always hesitate to bring attorneys into
things because you can never tell when that will get messy.
Once things get messy, fees go up. Plus, real estate companies
usually have attorneys already on retainer. You don’t |
