Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

We saw a house through redfin. We may want to see the house again and have more questions. I feel the person was not the best though. Had no idea about the house, made no research, etc....

Can we choose another buyer agent (not redfin) to see the house again.

We never signed papers. Just emails to see the house.

TIA

Re: Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

Were you working with the sellers agent or a buyers agent? If it was just the sellers agent then yes, you can (and should) work with a buyers agent.

Re: Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

Redfin is a buyer agent. We never met the seller agent.

Re: Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

You can go directly to the listing agent instead. That's what I would do. You will get a better crack at the house.

But not 100% sure what happens since someone else took you to the house. If you didnt sign anything, I would imagine you have no obligation. I would not admit I saw the house with someone else though, to whomever takes you.

Re: Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

As long as you didn't sign a contract to work exclusively with the agent who took you to the house, then you can go back with another agent of your choosing. If you see a house with an agent, but don't feel comfortable with that agent for whatever reason, you can always have another agent re-show you that house, or present an offer for you on that house, and take it from there. Unless you sign a buyer brokerage agreement whereby you are bound to use one agent exclusively for a period of time, then no one owns the buyer and it's your prerogative to use whomever you choose.

Of course, if you don't click with an agent the first time he or she goes out with you to see houses, it's best to cut ties sooner rather than later, as that agent is working on commission. He or she won't get anything for his time if you don't eventually buy something through him or her. So undestandably, no agent wants to spend weeks or months working with someone only to find out they bought through someone else. Much kinder to do what you are doing and just don't use that agent again if it's not the right fit.

Also -- one side note -- it's not about not signing "anything" with an agent. Every time you meet with a realtor for the first time, he or she is obligated by NY law to have you sign the NY State Disclosure form, which discloses who that agent is representing. If you have not discussed buyer's agency with the agent and decided you want representation, then the agent represents the seller (even though he is working with you, the buyer).

But you need to be informed of that by law and you need to sign the form. A lot of real estate customers freak out and don't want to sign anything, but it's just a disclosure form and it's for your information and protection. It's just an acknowledgment that the agent told you whose interests he represents in the deal. The disclosure form is NOT a contract, it doesn't bind you to that agent or anyone. So don't be wary when asked to sign a form. It just means your agent is being ethical and professional.

Re: Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

Re: Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

You would know if you signed a buyer's brokerage agreement with the agent. I am sure you didn't, so you can choose whoever you want to help you going forward (even if you want to see that house again, put in an offer, etc.). You are not tied to that agent who wasn't a good fit for you.

Most buyers who work with agents do NOT hire them as buyer's agents or sign contracts with those agents. When a buyer decides to work with an agent, the buyer can decide to either (i) hire the agent as a buyer's agent, or (ii) work with the agent, but the agent still represents the seller (even though he or she is working with the buyer and is not the listing agent).

With the first option, the agent working with the buyer will represent the buyer's interests by negotiating to get the buyer the best deal (and doing extra due diligence to protect the buyer's interest). In return, the buyer signs an agreement to work exclusively with that agent. In scenario (ii), the buyer works with an agent who shows homes and helps guide the buyer through the process, but all of the agents obligations (loyalty, confidentiality, etc.) run to the seller. But with scenario (ii), the buyer does not commit to the agent and is free to go work with another agent at any time.

It sounds like your situation with the redfin agent was a scenario (ii), so feel free to move on!

I was just making a general point (not directed at you) that when people say "as long as you didn't sign anything with the agent, you are free to go with someone else" they are talking about signing a contract, not the disclosure form (which you should be asked to sign even when visiting open houses).

Let me know if I can help you with your search. I am a full-time realtor and my background is in law (I am an attorney and practiced for 9 years), so I am very detail-oriented and client-focused. Not sure where you are looking, but I am based in N. Bellmore (so I work mostly in Nassau and western Suffolk).

Re: Can you switch buyer agent to see a house on the market you already saw?

Thanks for your help!