Broker - scam
Hi neighbors, I’m looking for some guidance from anyone who has dealt with a predatory real estate agent situation.
I currently have a piece of land listed, and the experience has been a nightmare. The marketing and photos are terrible, and the agent completely refuses to update the listing or put any effort into it. It has become clear that they are intentionally neglecting the listing to force me into firing them.
Here is the trap: our listing agreement contains a sneaky termination clause stating that if I cancel the contract early, I owe them a massive "termination fee" equal to the full commission (over $10,500). They refuse to sign a mutual release unless I write them a check, effectively holding my property hostage so I can't sell it.
Has anyone else in the area dealt with a broker holding a listing hostage like this? Do you have recommendations for local real estate attorneys who specialize in contract disputes or breaking listing agreements? Any advice on how to force a broker's hand to get a mutual release without paying a scam fee would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you so much ! As a single woman, this has been VERY stressful.