You started looking for a home, signed an agreement with a buyer’s agent, and now you want to take a different direction.
Maybe the agent isn’t the right fit. Maybe you’ve decided to pause your search, work with someone else, or buy directly from a homeowner or builder. Whatever the reason, changing your plans is a frequent occurrence in the homebuying process.
So, can you fire your real estate agent? You can decide to stop working together. How you end or change your buyer-agent agreement—and address any remaining compensation—depends on its terms and the arrangement you reach.
Start with a straightforward conversation about what you want to change.
You Want to Switch Real Estate Agents
If your agent isn’t the right fit, explain that you’ve decided to continue your search with someone else. Perhaps communication has been difficult, your priorities have changed, or you prefer a different approach.
You can keep the message simple:
“I’ve decided to take a different direction with my home search and won’t be continuing our work together. Please confirm the next steps for ending our agreement.”
Review your buyer agency agreement’s cancellation terms and confirm the end of the arrangement in writing before signing with another agent.
What About Homes Your Original Agent Showed You?
If you later purchase a home your original agent showed you or introduced you to, they may still qualify for compensation under your agreement.
Check the provisions covering previously introduced properties, including any period that continues after the relationship ends. Clarify those details before proceeding with that home so you understand how compensation would be handled.
You Want to Pause Your Home Search
Sometimes the timing simply isn’t right. Your finances, work, family needs, or moving plans may have changed.
Tell your agent you’re putting the search on hold. Discuss whether to end the agreement, pause it by mutual agreement, or let it expire.
Confirm the dates and any agreed changes in writing. If you resume searching later, you can decide whether to reconnect with that agent, choose someone else, or buy independently.
You Want to Buy Directly From a Homeowner or Builder
You may discover a for sale by owner home, hear about a property through a friend, or connect directly with a builder selling without an agent.
Decide whether you want to handle this purchase independently or keep your agent involved. Then discuss the arrangement that fits your needs.
Exclude This Property From Your Buyer-Agent Agreement
If you want to buy this home independently while keeping your agent for the broader search, discuss a property-specific exclusion.
Identify the address and confirm in writing that you can purchase that property independently without owing the brokerage a fee for the transaction.
If the purchase doesn’t work out, you can continue looking together under the remaining agreement. If you’ve decided to handle your entire search independently, discuss ending the broader relationship instead.
Negotiate Different Services and Compensation
Finding a home yourself may change the assistance you want.
For example, you might communicate directly with the seller and arrange visits while receiving help preparing an offer or coordinating deadlines.
Explain what you’d like the agent to handle and discuss an appropriate fee. That could be a reduced percentage, a flat fee, or another mutually acceptable arrangement.
NAR’s consumer guide to negotiating buyer agreements (opens in a new tab) explains that services and compensation are negotiable. Document any revised arrangement before proceeding.
Pay Your Agent Directly
Buying an owner-listed home doesn’t prevent you from using your own agent.
If you want their assistance and the seller isn’t contributing toward compensation, you can agree to pay the fee yourself. Confirm the amount, when payment is due, and how it fits into your total purchase budget.
Let the seller know how your agent will participate so communication stays clear.
Request a Seller Contribution in Your Offer
You can also request that the homeowner or builder pay some or all of your agent’s fee.
Include the request in your offer so the seller can consider it alongside the purchase price, financing, contingencies, and closing date. They may accept, decline, or negotiate a different contribution.
You might discuss adjusting the purchase price to accommodate the contribution while keeping the seller’s net proceeds acceptable. If you’re financing the purchase, have your lender confirm that the proposed arrangement meets the loan’s financing and appraisal requirements.
Seller-paid compensation is part of the overall negotiation, rather than something either side should assume.
Confirm Your Next Steps
Whether you’re changing agents, taking a break, or buying directly, clarify:
- When your existing agreement ends or what changes have been agreed.
- Whether previously introduced properties remain covered.
- What assistance, if any, your agent will continue providing.
- What compensation has been agreed and who will pay it.
Buyer-agent agreements vary. Review yours and document any changes so everyone understands how you’re moving forward.
Explore Buying Directly with Cribbed
If you’re considering purchasing directly from a homeowner, learn how buying on Cribbed works.
Cribbed connects buyers and sellers directly, with tools to organize showings, offers, documents, and the steps toward closing.
This article provides general information, not legal advice.