Is Your Agent Pressuring You?

For first-time buyers, getting preapproved for a mortgage is an exciting time.  The possibilities of owning your own home are now a reality instead of pipe dreams.  Your real estate agent also will share your enthusiasm for this time.  However, if your real estate agent is pressuring you, home hunting can become really uncomfortable.

Now, not every urging your real estate agent makes is going to be unreasonable pressure.  If you’re operating on a previously discussed timeframe, your agent can be forgiven for reminding you that you are getting close to the deadline.  Likewise, your agent’s job is to evaluate your home needs and guide you to homes that will meet them, despite attractions that make other homes seem more appealing.  Your agent should be approachable about everything involving a home tour and purchase.

Signs of a pressuring real estate agent can be subtle or something that you have previously taken little notice of.  They can be as fleeting as a tone of voice or as overt as, “You’re being stupid!  This house is perfect for you; can’t you see that?”  It can be a reluctance to communicate with you after you’ve seen a certain number of houses and constantly going back to one particular house – “Don’t you think you should do another walkthrough in the one on Pressure Avenue again?”

Here are some signs you have a pressuring real estate agent:

1. Every home you tour is ‘perfect’ for you and you should buy it.
2. “If you don’t put in an offer now, this home will be gone by tonight!”
3. The agent is aware of your personal price range preference, but keeps showing you homes that are at the top end of your approved mortgage range.
4. “If you don’t buy this home now, you’ll never have a second chance!”
5. The agent keeps up a never-ending stream of commentary about how you could fix up this home or that home to make yourself ‘instant equity’; especially if you’ve assured him that you aren’t the fixer-upper type.
6. The agent avoids sitting down and explaining things to you, talks to you if you are stupid or otherwise belittles your questions and opinions.

Don’t put up with a pressuring or bullying real estate agent.  If it’s minor, explain that you are not interested in buying until you’re completely comfortable.  If the agent doesn’t listen, it’s time to take more serious steps.  If you have signed a contract, asked to be released from it.  If the agent doesn’t release you, contact their broker and explain the situation.  Don’t put up with pressure; this is the biggest purchase of your life and you should be given some space when making your decision to purchase (or not!).