Most Sellers Wait Too Long
Most sellers stick with an underperforming agent longer than they should. Loyalty is part of it. Not wanting the conflict is part of it. Not knowing whether the problem is really the agent — versus the price, the prep, or the market — is part of it too. What I have watched consistently over 20+ years is that the sellers who recognize the signals early and act on them recover their sale faster than the ones who hope things turn around.
Here is how to tell if your agent is actually the issue, and what to do if they are.
Real Signs Your Agent Is Not Doing the Job
Weak Marketing Assets
Phone photos on a home priced above $300,000. No video walk-through. No drone footage on a property that warrants it. A skinny listing description that reads like it was written in five minutes. On the Grand Strand, where most buyers are shopping from out of state, this is the fastest way to kill your showings before they start.
No Marketing Plan You Can See
Ask your agent what they are actually doing to market your home this week. If the answer is vague, generic, or amounts to "it is on the MLS," that is not a marketing plan. Real listing agents have a documented plan they can show you: MLS syndication, social distribution, targeted paid promotion, brokerage network exposure, email to buyer databases, open houses if appropriate.
Bad Communication
You should not have to chase your listing agent for updates. Weekly check-ins, feedback after showings, market data on comparable sales, and a proactive conversation when things are not moving are the baseline. If you are initiating every conversation, that is a sign.
No Pricing Conversation
An agent who accepted your price without pushing back, and who then has not raised the pricing question after 30 days on the market with limited activity, is not doing you a favor. Their job is to give you the honest read, not to keep you comfortable. If pricing is off, you should hear about it from them, not from your neighbor asking why your home is still listed.
No Showings, No Feedback, No Plan
Zero showings for two weeks in season, or four weeks in the off-season, is a data point. An agent who has no plan to change what is producing that result — no new photos, no repositioning, no price conversation — has run out of moves. That is the signal to move on.
Before You Fire Them, Check Yourself
Not every listing that sits is the agent's fault. Before you make the switch, honestly ask:
- Is my price aligned with recent sold comps, or am I stretched above the buyer's search filter?
- Is my home showing at its best, or am I saying no to showings, keeping it cluttered, or leaving deferred maintenance visible?
- Am I giving fair access — lockbox, flexible showing windows, moving the pets when needed?
- Is my property type actually a fit for the agent's specialty, or should it be with someone else?
If any of those are the real problem, changing agents alone will not fix it. Our post on why some Myrtle Beach homes do not sell walks through the full list.
How to Fire Your Agent Without Making It Worse
Read Your Listing Agreement
Every listing contract has a term and a cancellation process. Some allow early termination with cause; some do not. Some require a specific notice window. Read your specific agreement before starting any conversation. If the contract feels ambiguous, ask a real estate attorney to review it — your Myrtle Beach real estate attorney can help with this if needed.
Have the Conversation Directly
Talk to the agent first. Sometimes there is a broker or team leader who can put a stronger agent on the listing or address specific issues. Sometimes the agent will release the listing willingly when the relationship is not working. This is the fastest, cleanest path when it is available.
Get the Release in Writing
Whatever the outcome, get the release documented. A written cancellation or expiration confirmation prevents confusion when the next agent takes over the listing. Confirm who owns the marketing assets (photos, video, drone footage) — sometimes the seller keeps them, sometimes the agent does.
Interview the Next Agent Differently
The mistake sellers make on the second attempt is picking another agent the same way they picked the first. Interview at least two candidates. Ask each one specifically:
- How many listings like mine have you sold in this specific area in the last 12 months?
- What is your documented marketing plan and can I see examples?
- What is your communication cadence?
- What would you do differently if you took over my listing tomorrow?
The right agent should have answers that are specific, not generic. Our 7-step home selling process shows what a strong marketing plan actually looks like.
What to Expect After the Switch
Repositioning a stale listing usually starts with new photos, a fresh listing description, a pricing recalibration, and a marketing relaunch. Well-executed, the market often responds within the first 14 to 30 days as the listing shows up new in buyer searches. That is the window where you find out whether the new plan is working.
Key Takeaways
- Weak marketing assets, no marketing plan, bad communication, and no pricing conversation are the four biggest agent red flags
- Check your own contribution — price, prep, showing access, agent-property fit — before making the switch
- Read your listing agreement carefully before initiating any change
- Talk to the agent first; sometimes the broker can resolve the issue faster than a full change
- Get the release in writing and confirm who owns the marketing assets
- Interview the next agent with specific questions, not general ones
- Expect the new plan to prove itself in the first 14 to 30 days after relaunch
About Greg Harrelson
Greg Harrelson is a seasoned Realtor® with more than 30 years of experience serving the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand markets. As the founder of Century 21 The Harrelson Group, Greg has built his career helping buyers, sellers, and investors achieve success in every corner of the coastal Carolina real estate market. His expertise spans residential homes, investment properties, land development, and coastal condos. Known for his deep local knowledge, innovative marketing strategies, and commitment to personal service, Greg consistently helps clients reach their real estate goals while navigating the ever-changing market with confidence and precision.
