What to Do If Your Realtor Isn't Delivering Results

Quick Answer: Start with a direct, specific conversation backed by what you've documented: showings, feedback, marketing promises versus delivery. If that doesn't produce a real change, escalate to their managing broker, who has oversight responsibility. If neither works, review your listing agreement for its term length and exit provisions before deciding whether to terminate.

Step 1: Have the Direct Conversation

Bring specifics, not general frustration: the showing counts, the marketing that hasn't happened, the feedback you haven't received. Ask for a concrete plan, not an apology. A good agent will respond to specific, documented concerns with a real adjustment; a defensive or vague response is itself useful information.

Step 2: Give a Defined Window to Course Correct

Agree on a specific timeframe, such as two weeks, and what "better" actually looks like within it: new photography, a price adjustment, a scheduled open house, more frequent updates. Vague promises to "try harder" without a concrete plan rarely change the outcome.

Step 3: Escalate to the Managing Broker

Every licensed agent in Alberta practices under a supervising brokerage, and that broker carries oversight responsibility for their conduct and performance. If a direct conversation with your agent hasn't produced change, raising the issue with their broker is a legitimate next step, not an extreme one.

Step 4: Review Your Listing Agreement

Before deciding whether to terminate, check your agreement's term length, any early exit provisions, and whether fees would be owed. This is exactly why reviewing exit terms before signing matters. It determines how much flexibility you actually have if the relationship isn't working.

What Terminating Doesn't Solve

If the underlying problem is pricing or your home's condition rather than the agent themselves, switching agents alone won't fix the outcome. Address the root cause, whether that's price, presentation, or access for showings, together with whatever change you make on representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fire my realtor before the listing agreement ends?

It depends on your specific agreement's terms. Most listing agreements have a defined term and may include exit provisions. Review those before assuming you're locked in or free to leave.

Should I talk to my realtor's broker if I'm unhappy?

Yes, if a direct conversation with your agent hasn't resolved the issue. The managing broker carries oversight responsibility and can intervene or help resolve the situation.

Will switching realtors fix a listing that isn't selling?

Only if the agent was actually the problem. If pricing or condition is the real issue, those need to be addressed regardless of who's representing you.