5 Surprising Things Your Realtor Might Be Doing Behind Your Back (And How to Protect Yourself)

When you hire a real estate agent, trust is everything. But not all agents play by the same rules. Although most realtors are professional and ethical, some common behind-the-scenes practices can catch sellers off guard. Here are five things your realtor might be doing without your knowledge - and how to safeguard yourself.

1. Ignoring Buyer Inquiries

If your home is generating a buzz, your agent could be juggling a high volume of calls. Unfortunately, some agents get overwhelmed and might ignore up to 80% of potential buyers. Missed opportunities mean fewer offers and potentially lower selling prices. As an agent myself, I've often experienced firsthand the frustration of repeatedly trying to schedule showings with unresponsive listing agents. I've called repeatedly, sent multiple texts, left voicemails, emailed, reached out to their office, and even contacted the broker, all just to schedule a single showing. Unfortunately, many agents will give up quickly if the listing agent doesn't respond, potentially costing you qualified buyers.

Protect Yourself: Ask your agent about their communication system upfront. Request regular updates on inquiries, showings, and offers. A responsible agent won't hesitate to share a communication log to assure you they're actively engaging with buyers. Additionally, ask your agent to schedule all showings through ShowingTime or a similar scheduling system within the MLS. This ensures interested parties can request appointments directly, eliminating the need to rely solely on your agent's responsiveness.

2. Taking Your Keys Before Closing

Until the deal officially closes, the keys to your home belong exclusively to you. Shockingly, some agents remove keys prematurely without consent - often to rush the closing process. This isn't just unethical; it's illegal. In one troubling incident, as the listing agent, I discovered a buyer’s agent had secretly taken keys from the lockbox several days before closing, removed my listing signs from the property, and left me completely unaware. When I arrived to check on the house before closing, I found myself locked out, unable to access the property. Although the sellers had a spare key, they lived far away, and the unauthorized removal caused unnecessary stress and confusion. Taking keys before closing gives buyers unauthorized access to a property they do not yet own, presenting serious legal and liability issues. The agent involved had a history of obnoxious and unethical behavior, causing many professionals in the industry to avoid doing business with him entirely.

Protect Yourself: Clearly instruct your agent that keys remain with you or securely in a lockbox until the moment closing documents are signed. If keys disappear prematurely, report the incident immediately to your agent’s brokerage and local real estate board.

3. Outsourcing Your Open Houses

Many listing agents delegate open houses to inexperienced agents as lead-generation opportunities. While giving newer agents exposure is commendable, inexperienced representatives might struggle to showcase your home's full value or negotiate effectively on your behalf.

Protect Yourself: Clarify in advance who will host your open houses. If your agent plans to delegate, request background information on the representative’s experience. Insisting your primary agent attend at least the first open house can also help ensure quality representation.

4. Cutting Corners on Marketing

Agents may promise comprehensive marketing plans, including professional photography and aggressive online promotion. Unfortunately, some might deliver subpar marketing efforts to save time or reduce costs, potentially limiting your home's visibility. This issue becomes even more pronounced if you hire a discount broker who tends to minimize marketing investments while lacking transparency. Inefficient or erroneous marketing also occurs when agents fail to thoroughly research your home, for example, mistakenly advertising a "bonus room" as a legitimate bedroom or office. According to my lawyer friend, beware of listings labeling rooms as "bonus rooms," as it usually indicates illegal or unpermitted spaces.

Protect Yourself: Request a written, detailed marketing plan upfront, including specific deliverables such as professional photos, virtual tours, and social media campaigns. Regularly ask for updates and proof that promised marketing steps are executed effectively.

5. Steering Buyers Without Transparency

Agents occasionally represent both the buyer and seller in a transaction - known as "dual agency." While legal, this requires clear disclosure and consent from both parties. Some agents quietly steer buyers toward their own listings, creating potential conflicts of interest and reducing negotiating leverage. I know multiple buyers who've repeatedly lost out on homes despite submitting strong offers. They often suspect listing agents encourage sellers to accept offers from buyers they personally represent to maximize their own commissions. Unfortunately, this happens more frequently than most people realize. As a seller, carefully review all offers presented to you, ideally with your own attorney, to determine what's truly in your best interest. But honestly, if you can't trust your agent to guide you transparently and find yourself repeatedly deferring to your lawyer, you may need to reconsider whether that agent is right for you.

Protect Yourself: Discuss dual agency upfront. Ensure your agent clearly explains any potential conflicts and obtains your explicit written consent if they intend to represent both sides. Remember, it's your right to decline dual representation if you're uncomfortable.

Selling your home is a significant financial decision - one you should approach with full transparency. Being proactive and informed can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your agent truly represents your best interests.

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