The best way to never need a real estate lawyer’s services is to walk away from a bad real estate agent when you see signs of trouble. Many people like to give their real estate agent the benefit of the doubt, but here are some signs of a bad agent that could lead to worse in the future.
Bad agents cause problems for their clients that cost time and money to fix. Whitney, LLP helps buyers sue bad real agents.
We have helped buyers file lawsuits and bring claims against bad real estate agents who:
- Did not disclose they owned the property the listed;
- Hid termite activity;
- Hid termite damage;
- Lied about a termite inspection being done;
- Actively covered up termite damage; and
- Hid flood damage from buyers.
Whitney, LLP’s real estate lawyers help home buyers bring claims and file lawsuits against dishonest and negligent home sellers, house flippers, real estate agents and termite inspection companies across Maryland. Our attorneys recover compensation for buyers to repair hidden damage and defects, and for emotional distress. We offer legal consultations.
If you need a real estate lawyer near me to help with hidden damage, failure to disclose defects, negligence or fraud in the purchase of a house, call us at 410 583 8000 or use our Online Quick Contact Form.
Click here to read reviews from our past clients, and click here to read about some of our past settlements and a jury verdict where we represented home buyers.
Your Real Estate Agent Should Add Value
Most real estate agents are helpful and add value when you are purchasing a home. They earn their money and make the process easier for you. Of course, those agents are not the reasons why our attorneys end up working for you.
Real estate agents can be bad for a number of reasons. There is a fine line between being bad at your job and being negligent. When agents have committed negligence or fraud, they can be sued for financial compensation to cover the losses you suffered because of their actions.
Poor Communication
The first indication of a bad agent is poor communication. When they do not return your phone calls, it is often a sign of something worse. You would expect that someone making money off you would answer your questions. A rude and brusque communication style is also a bad sign.
Deceit and Half-Truths
Next, catching the real estate agent in a lie or half-truth shows that there could be more deceit behind their dealings. An agent rarely tells just one lie. Mistruths are part of a pattern, and there is no such thing as a small lie. Any hint of dishonesty is a clear sign to look elsewhere for an agent.
Missing or Skipping Appointments
Your agent could miss or not show up for an appointment. This is a clear sign of a lack of diligence. Skipping appointments shows disorganization and a complete lack of respect for your time. This could mean that the agent is putting its own interests ahead of yours in other ways too.
Lack of Knowledge of the Local Market
Finally, you expect your agent to have an intimate familiarity with the local market where you are home shopping. This is exactly why you are paying them. They need to provide data about the local market and comps quickly. A lack of knowledge is a sign of incompetence. This can end up costing you money or even the home of your dreams.
When you see a bad agent during the home buying process, the best thing to do is walk away. You could end up stuck in a situation where their negligent actions cost you money. Then, you might end up needing to hire a real estate lawyer to file a lawsuit against the agent. The best thing is to avoid the situation entirely. If you believe that your agent was not just bad at their job but caused you real harm, contact the attorneys at Whitney LLP.
Lawyers for Lawsuits Against Negligent and Dishonest Agents
If you were the victim of a dishonest seller, real estate agent or WDI/termite inspection company in Maryland, contact Whitney, LLP’s real estate lawyers at 410 583 8000, or use our Online Quick Contact Form, for your legal consultation.
We represent homebuyers throughout Maryland, including Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Waldorf, Frederick, Ellicott City, Glen Burnie, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, Dundalk, Towson, Bowie, Aspen Hill and Wheaton.