12 Clear Signs of a Bad Real Estate Agent and What You Can Do About It

You call your real estate agent, and the phone rings and rings…and rings.

Your home has been sitting on the market way longer than you think it should, and you haven’t even seen your agent post about it on their social media.

They show up late and unprepared when it’s time for the open house.

These are just a few of the telltale signs of a bad real estate agent. We’re here to break down the rest of the signs that your agent isn’t working for you and help you decide what to do about it.

If you’ve started talking with (or have already signed with) an agent and think you’ve made the wrong choice, it might be time to move in a different direction.

We get that it’s never convenient to fire someone and start over, especially if they’ve already put in the work of listing your home and maybe even done a few showings, but this is likely one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll make in your life.

That means that you should be partnered with a professional who gets the job done and who you feel comfortable working with. Not one that fits into any of the categories below!

To make sure we covered everything, we talked with Monica Campbell, a top real estate agent in Los Angeles, California, who sells properties 60% faster than the average agent in her area, and Jessica Boswell, a top agent in Bristol, Connecticut, who closed on over 80 deals last year alone. Both shared their insights and tips to help you spot a bad real estate agent.

How to spot a bad real estate agent: Look out for these signs

If you spot any of these red flags, they could indicate that an agent will deliver sub-par service or is simply not the right fit:

1. Drops the ball on communication

In the fast-moving world of real estate, quick and clear communication is key. A delayed response can sometimes mean the difference between landing or losing a deal. If you find yourself waiting hours or days for your agent to return calls, texts, or emails — or if your questions and concerns are met with silence — that’s a surefire sign that it’s time to move on.

Boswell believes that an agent’s responsiveness can set them apart from other agents and says, “I strive to get back to my clients within the hour. If I’m not sleeping or with a client, I answer my phone.”

The same goes for the agent who does get back to you but has a communication style that doesn’t mesh well with yours. If you feel like they’re rushed, irritated, or not forthcoming during your conversations — or if the chemistry just isn’t there — it’s likely not a good fit.

Another communication caveat is if the agent tends to sugar-coat situations and only tells you what he or she thinks you want to hear. “As the seller, you need to know exactly what’s going on, good or bad,” says Campbell. “Your agent must be okay with delivering uncomfortable news.”

Also, consider whether the agent adheres to your preferred communication channels. Campbell always asks her clients how they want to receive their information and updates, whether it’s via phone, text, or email.

Boswell makes sure to communicate with people in the way that they are used to, which is often generationally dependent. She says that “an older individual might be used to speaking over the phone and may not be comfortable texting or emailing. A lot of younger people find phone calls to be intrusive and almost insulting, so a text is best.”

If your agent continually reaches out through a channel that you’re not comfortable or familiar with, or ignores your requests for a different method of communication, it’s time to find someone who will honor your requests.