While the majority of real estate agents conduct their professional responsibilities with honor and integrity, there are unfortunate instances where some sellers find themselves dealing with agents who prioritize their own financial gain over their fiduciary duty to clients. If you suspect that your agent may not have your best interests at heart, read on to discover five key signs that indicate you may be working with a bad Lehigh Valley real estate agent.
Trust Issues
In real estate, a fiduciary relationship exists between a buyer or seller, known as the principal, and their agent, who is bound by a signed contract. A licensed real estate agent is legally and ethically obligated to prioritize your best interests in every transaction. Given that agents possess intimate knowledge of your personal and financial details, there exists a temptation for some to misuse this information. For instance, they might divulge your sensitive data to buyers, potentially weakening your negotiating position and compromising the sale. Unfortunately, agents who focus solely on profit can engage in unethical practices that violate the law, making this a significant red flag when assessing the competency of your Lehigh Valley real estate agent.
Lack of Communication
Effective communication is a cornerstone of successful real estate transactions. Are your calls and inquiries consistently met with silence? If your agent is neglecting to respond to you, it raises concerns about their commitment to maintaining open lines of communication with all clients and professionals they interact with. It’s reasonable to conclude that if you’re not receiving timely updates or answers, prospective buyers are likely facing similar frustrations when trying to reach out for information. This lack of responsiveness is a glaring warning sign that you might be working with a bad Lehigh Valley real estate agent. At iBuyLehigh, we prioritize communication and are always here to support you throughout the entire process. We welcome your questions and calls, as they are essential in helping us provide you with the best guidance possible.
Unprofessional Behavior
The process of selling a home can be painstakingly slow, particularly when you’re left waiting in silence for the right buyer to emerge. If your agent is providing excuses for the lack of activity on your listing—especially after charging you significant marketing fees for services like photography and staging—it may indicate deeper issues of disorganization or apathy towards their responsibilities. Arriving late to appointments, failing to execute the marketing plan effectively, or missing crucial deadlines can all have serious financial repercussions and are telltale signs of a bad Lehigh Valley real estate agent.
Ineffective Methods and Means
When you hire a real estate agent, you should never feel like you are navigating the complexities of the sale on your own. Selling a home—a major asset—requires dedication, time, expertise, and sometimes even an expense account to manage all the moving parts involved. If your agent is neglectful, lacks the necessary training or the most current technological tools, or simply doesn’t have the financial resources to do their job effectively, it becomes evident that you are dealing with a bad Lehigh Valley real estate agent.
Misleading Information
Some agents are motivated solely by greed, focusing primarily on earning their commission rather than prioritizing their clients’ needs. They may misrepresent themselves as specialists in the high-end property market, even showcasing listings that belong to other agents in their advertisements to mislead sellers and secure a listing. Additionally, these real estate agents often exaggerate their years of experience, leading you to believe they possess far more expertise than they actually do, which is a clear indication of a bad Lehigh Valley real estate agent. They might also claim to have managed numerous listings. Fortunately, it’s relatively simple to verify their current listings and the platforms they utilize, just as you would do when selecting any other professional.
Why put yourself through the stress of discovering these and other signs of a bad Lehigh Valley real estate agent the hard way? At iBuyLehigh, we do not charge commissions because our primary goal is to provide real solutions to your problems. We prioritize your needs, aiming to help you meet your immediate financial goals while maximizing your profits from the sale. Whether a traditional listing or a direct sale to iBuyLehigh is the best option for your situation, we will present all the details clearly to help you make an informed decision. Plus, the offer we make is what you will receive at closing, with no hidden fees to surprise you. At iBuyLehigh, we pay cash and can close on your timeline. You can trust the experienced, licensed professional buyers at iBuyLehigh.
Send us a message or call iBuyLehigh at (484) 549-0019 today to learn more!