Legal protection after signing a listing agreement with real estate agent in Key West

The listing agreement between a seller and a Key West real estate agent carries a fiduciary responsibility. The firm and all of its agents act for the seller. They owe the seller the duties of care, obedience, accounting, loyalty, and notice.

 Is the Key West real estate agent liable if a potential buyer steals something from my home?

Unless the real estate agent showing your key West home was negligent, such as giving your house keys to a buyer, it's unlikely that he or she is responsible for thefts. Sellers should take the precaution of securing small, valuable items. If your agent wants to use a lock box, which allows agents access to keys to your home, make sure the agent uses an electronic lock box. Unlike a manual lock box, an electronic lock box gives a printed record of all the agents who have shown the home. This deters any agent who might be unscrupulous.

What can I do if my real estate firm doesn't seem to be working very hard to sell my home?

The key West real estate market and the salability of your Key West home are usually the chief problems when a home isn't selling. But, sometimes a firm or a particular real estate agent is at fault for one reason or another. The best way to prevent this problem is to limit the term of the listing agreement to 90 days or less. If your home doesn't sell in that period of time, you're legally in a position to try another Key West Real Estate company.

You also may want to change firms if its agents don't return your telephone calls, don't keep you informed about the progress of your home sale, fail to schedule open houses, or, generally, appear uninterested in the sale. On the other hand, do not be unduly upset if you are presented with offers that seem unreasonably low. Your firm and its agents have an obligation to present you with all offers, even those that may seem insulting. Of course, you are not required to accept any offer presented. But, if you feel that undue pressure is being applied, it may be time for a change another reason to limit the length of a listing agreement.