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Is it OK to interview agents about listing my house that is on the market but due to expire soon ?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Centre Realtors

I received a call from sellers today . They have their house on the market for a year and the listing expires at the end of the month.

The sellers wanted to know if they can interview other agents before the listing expires or should they wait .

I do not know about laws in other states but in Pa there is nothing in the standard listing  listing contract appoved by PAR  that stops sellers from interviewing other agents. They cannot sign a new listing contract till the listing expires or they get a release from previous agent.

 They can  sign it, it should be effective after the contract expires.

Sellers should read their listing contract and see what it says or consult an attorney if they do not understand.

If they start interviewing agents , marketing time will not be lost. They can make up their minds by time it expires.

Agents should not call sellers when the house is listed. They should wait till it expires but sellers can contact agents.

 

 

 

Posted by

When you read about events please check the year for the event as some people find information a year later and think it is for that year. . The posts remain online even after the event.

Gita Bantwal is a Realtor with RE/MAX Centre Realtors in Bucks County, a Northern suburb of Philadelphia. You can view 1000s of listings on her web site www.GitaBantwal.com

 

She can be reached at 215-343-8200x124 or direct 215-275-8491 or via email gita01@aol.com

If you would like a FREE MARKET EVALUATION OF YOUR HOME IN PHILADELPHIA, BUCKS or MONTGOMERY COUNTY call me at 2152758491

 Gita specializes in Active adult communities and is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. She holds the ABR designation (Accredited Buyers Representative) and specializes in selling to first time buyers as well as move up buyers.Gita also hold the CRS designation , Certified Residential Specialist and the CDPE designation as well. Information about real estate market is deemed to be correct but is subject to errors and omissions and should be verified independently.. Opinion expressed by me or others  in my post and comments is not to be construed to be  legal advice.I am licensed in Pa. Check real estate laws in your state as they may be different than in Pa.

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Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Gita, it is the same in RI and this clearly explains what sellers need to do when they are unhappy with their current real estate representation...the seller should want their home to have that SOLD sign on it.

Aug 22, 2012 09:15 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Gita,

I will be checking back to see comments from other agents on this topic! I think it's a hot potatoe! 

Aug 22, 2012 09:16 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Gita,  You are right on the mark according to PA law.   The seller can contact us while their house is on the market and we can discuss how we will market property when it expires.  However, we cannot initiate the conversation with sellers currently on the market.

Agents from other states need to review state laws for your own state.

Aug 22, 2012 09:21 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

As long as the seller reaches out to us first then we can discuss and even sign a listing agreement dated for when the current one expires.  What we can't do, of course is go behind the sign to try and solicit the business away from the current brokerage.

Aug 22, 2012 09:39 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Ginny, Thank you for the comments.

Dorie, My sellers always call me when they receive promotions  from other agents in the mail.

 

Aug 22, 2012 10:12 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Mary, I agree they can contact us.

Valerie, They usually look for a new agent when contract is about to expire.

Cindy, Yes they should make it effective after contract expires.

 

Aug 22, 2012 10:41 PM
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Gita.   I know that sellers do not want a lag time and lose days off the market and they certainly have the right to make those calls and interview for a new agent.    I personally appreciate the call and of course would not turn down an opportunity, but do feel a bit awkward making a presentation while a home is listed.   Just me.

Aug 23, 2012 12:02 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Ann, I feel the same way and actually lost an opportunity because of it.

Aug 23, 2012 02:21 AM