If you sign off on an offer to buy some property, do you have to stick with that real estate agent?

You mean, you put down earnest money? Tell more.

If you’re talking about other properties, yes. You can’t go to another agent about the property you’ve signed the offer on, but you are free keep looking at any listing you want, with any other agent you want. I had three agents showing me around houses once. I ended up putting in an offer on a house that was going up for auction and getting it, but until my offer was accepted… I still had other other agents call me up to show me stuff.

The R.E Agents are really working for the home owners anyway…Not so much the buyers.

The agent who showed you the property first is the one who should receive the commission for the sale.

No, you may not change agents during the offer/contract period absent exigent circumstances.

@YARNLADY Agency law may differ somewhat in the states, but in the states which I am familiar with property law, the agent whose actions actually procures the buyer and is involved with the buyer at the point of a buying decision will be due the commission. That, many times, is not the agent who first showed the property to the buyer. Twenty years ago, it was as you state.

You can change estates as many times as you like, up until the contracts are signed.

@thriftymaid Any successful agent will ensure that the client signs an agreement before he shows them a property that he is their representative on the sale of that house if they decide to buy it.

@YARNLADY Not so everywhere. If such a contract is outside of the state’s agency law it would be void. Like I said it can be different in different states. I held a RE license 25 years or so before becoming an attorney.

No

@thriftymaid It is worth repeating that each state makes it’s own laws. Sellers and buyers should be aware of their rights and obligations in their state.

@YARNLADY I said that twice.

Is she talking about changing agents for the same property she’s signed an offer on? I don’t think I understand the question any more. If one agent has shown you around the place and is in mediation with an offer between you and the seller, you can’t go jump to another agent and give them the sale for that property. It may be illegal and it is highly unethical. The agents usually aren’t paid unless the house is sold.

IF, she’s talking about going with other agents and still looking at OTHER properties that they have on their books, until she hears back from the property she’s put in an offer on… That’s not a problem, is it?

@cazzie I agree with your assessment – what exactly does ‘signed off on an offer to buy”? If you have signed a contract, you must honor that contract.