How Bad Real Estate Agents Trap Buyers and Sellers: What to Avoid and How to Protect Yourself

The process of finding a real estate agent is full of hidden traps. You click on a listing and suddenly you’re talking to someone you never chose. You get referred to a friend-of-a-friend and feel obligated to stick with them. You walk into an open house and feel pressured into a relationship. Worse still, many agents rely on aggressive lead generation tactics and commission-first mindsets that serve their goals, and not yours.

What most blogs on this topic fail to explain is why these problems happen, how they’re built into the modern real estate process, and what you can do to avoid them before they start.

This guide goes beyond the basics. We’ll break down the real reasons people end up with the wrong agent, including the behind-the-scenes mechanics of how agents generate leads, get assigned to buyers, and position themselves online. You’ll learn what to watch out for and what to walk away from.

If you’re serious about avoiding costly and stressful mistakes and want to work with an agent who will truly advocate for you, this is the article you’ve been looking for.

I. Common Problems with Choosing the Wrong Real Estate Agent

Choosing the wrong real estate agent can lead to a cascade of issues—ranging from financial loss to emotional stress. Below are some of the most frequent problems experienced by clients and the big red flags to look out for when finding, choosing, and dealing with a real estate agent:

Overpromising, Underdelivering
Some agents will say whatever it takes to win your business. They’ll tell you they can sell your home for way more than it’s worth or guarantee they’ll find your dream house in a week. But once you sign with them, the energy changes. Suddenly, the marketing is lackluster, communication slows, and those big promises fade into vague excuses.

Prioritizing Their Commission Timeline Over Your Goals
There are agents who care more about closing quickly than getting you the best outcome. If they’re counting on your deal to pay their bills, they may push you to accept an offer that isn’t right or pressure you to move faster than you’re comfortable with. Your timeline and financial outcome should come first, not theirs.

Weak Negotiation Skills That Cost You Money
Real estate is a negotiation-heavy business. A strong agent will fight for every dollar and protect your interests in the contract. A weak negotiator, on the other hand, will fold under pressure or gloss over important details just to keep the deal moving. That can lead to you overpaying, making unnecessary concessions, or losing leverage during inspections or repairs.

No Specialization in Your Type of Transaction or Area
Not all agents are experts in every type of deal. A mismatch like that can lead to bad pricing, poor marketing, and bad results.

Poor Communication and Responsiveness
Clients often report frustration with agents who fail to respond promptly or provide clear, timely updates. Delays in communication will leave you uninformed about critical steps, missed opportunities, or evolving market conditions.

Inaccurate Pricing Strategy
Real estate agents lacking strong market knowledge or analytical skills may misprice a property. Undervaluing a home leaves money on the table, while overpricing can lead to extended market time and eventual price reductions. In 2023, 44% of sellers were dissatisfied with how quickly their home sold, and 38% were unhappy with the profit they ultimately received (Consumer Federation of America; Clever Real Estate).

Ineffective Marketing Execution
Poor listing photography, insufficient online visibility, or weak staging can decrease buyer interest. Many newer agents also struggle with prospecting and follow-through, which further limits exposure and engagement with potential buyers (Investopedia).

Administrative Errors and Execution Oversights
Inexperienced or inattentive agents frequently mishandle paperwork, miss deadlines, or fail to coordinate essential steps in the transaction process. These errors increase the risk of delays or deal collapses and can be costly both financially and emotionally.

No Network of Reliable Professionals
Real estate doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You’ll likely need a lender, an inspector, an appraiser, maybe even a contractor or two. A good agent brings trusted professionals to the table. A bad one leaves you scrambling for help… or worse, connects you with people who cut corners or charge too much.

Stuck in the Past with Outdated Tools and Strategies
Technology moves fast, and real estate is no exception. Agents who don’t use modern tools –from online scheduling to digital marketing – put you at a disadvantage. If your agent is still printing out listings or relying on open houses alone, you’re missing opportunities and slowing down the process.

Personality Mismatch That Makes the Process Miserable
Even if an agent is technically qualified, the relationship still has to work. If they talk over you, pressure you, or dismiss your concerns, it can sour the entire experience. You should feel heard, understood, and respected, not bulldozed or ignored. Don’t underestimate the value of compatibility and trust.

The “Part-Time Agent” Problem
Some agents work real estate on the side: nights, weekends, or “when they have time.” That might sound harmless, but it usually means they’re harder to reach, less informed, and stretched thin. When the stakes are this high, you don’t want someone whose attention is divided. You need someone who treats your transaction like a top priority.

Conflict of Interest or Ethical Concerns
Dual-agency scenarios (where the agent represents both buyer and seller) or undisclosed referral relationships can compromise objectivity and client trust. According to some consumer complaints, clients reported feeling that the agent “only cared about making a sale” rather than protecting their interests (Clever Real Estate).

II. How People End Up With the Wrong Agent

Most people don’t set out to hire the wrong real estate agent. In fact, many don’t even realize they’ve made a mistake until they’re deep into the process and problems start piling up. The truth is, the way real estate is marketed today makes it incredibly easy to end up with someone who isn’t the right fit and in many cases, someone you didn’t even choose. This reflects the fact that nearly a quarter (26%) of buyers eventually switch agents during their home search, often because the first one simply wasn’t the right fit (Zillow).

Below are the major pitfalls to avoid:

Clicking on a Listing and Getting “Assigned” to an Agent
Let’s say you’re browsing homes on Zillow or Realtor.com. You see a property you love, so you click to request a showing. What many people don’t realize is that the agent who contacts you likely isn’t the listing agent, it’s someone who paid to be featured on that listing. They were not vetted by the platform and you didn’t pick them based on experience, expertise, or local knowledge. You were sold to them as a lead that they paid for. Now, without meaning to, you’re suddenly in conversation with someone who may be more focused on converting you into a commission than actually guiding you through the process.

Feeling Obligated to Use a Friend or Referral
Another common trap is feeling like you have to work with someone just because they were referred by a friend, coworker, or family member. While referrals can be valuable, they’re not a substitute for vetting. This is a common pitfall to avoid. While referrals carry weight, they shouldn’t bypass the essential vetting process. Nearly half of buyers (40%) choose their agent through a personal connection, which can lead to misplaced trust or misalignment with your specific needs (National Association of REALTORS®).

Getting Approached at an Open House
Walk into an open house and there’s a good chance the agent hosting it will strike up a conversation and offer to represent you. It might feel convenient in the moment, but what you’re really doing is engaging with an agent who’s primarily focused on selling that property, not necessarily helping you navigate the broader market. In some cases, they may already represent the seller, creating a clear conflict of interest.

Accepting Dual Agency Without Understanding the Risks
Some buyers are told, “It’ll be easier if I just represent both sides.” But dual agency, also known as “double dipping” means the same agent is trying to represent both the buyer and seller in a single deal, which can limit their ability to negotiate, provide candid advice, or advocate fully on either party’s behalf. In states where it’s legal, it still carries significant ethical gray areas, and most buyers and sellers don’t realize what they’re giving up. Roughly 10–20% of home sales involve a single agent representing both parties, which is not an insignificant percentage so be careful if an agent tries to sell you on dual agency. You can find a detailed analysis of double dipping here.

Getting Funneled Through a Lender or Builder
If you get pre-approved through a large lender or walk into a new construction development, you may be referred, or even pressured, to use their in-house agent. That agent may feel more loyalty to the lender or builder than to you, especially if they’re working under a shared corporate umbrella. You deserve independent representation, not someone whose paycheck depends on the other side of the table.

Answering a Random Ad or Online Form
Some people end up with an agent simply because they clicked on a Facebook ad or filled out a home valuation form online. The agent who calls you back isn’t necessarily the best one for your needs, they’re just the one who paid to be first in line. These lead generation tools are designed to capture your contact info for profit, not help you make a thoughtful decision. For example, over 30% of agents close at least one deal per year directly from such social media-generated leads—even though those agents may not be the best fit for your transaction (Investoraa).

Being Drawn in by Flashy Branding or a Social Media Following
Today’s agents are often their own brand. You might find someone with a slick Instagram feed, sharp video content, or a ton of followers, but good marketing doesn’t always mean good representation. Don’t confuse great branding with great service. What matters most is experience, responsiveness, and results, not how polished their content looks.

III. Sneaky Lead Capture Tactics to Be Aware Of

One of the most frustrating parts of the real estate process is how easy it is to become someone’s client without ever making a conscious decision. Much of today’s real estate industry is built around lead capture. That means many agents aren’t building relationships, they’re buying access to your attention. Here’s how it works and how to avoid getting roped into something you didn’t sign up for:

The “Sign This Before I Show You Anything” Script
Some agents require you to sign an exclusive buyer representation agreement before they’ll show you any homes. While this agreement has its place in a healthy client–agent relationship, you should never feel pressured to sign one too early, especially before you’ve had a chance to evaluate the agent’s knowledge, approach, and compatibility with your goals. If the agent’s priority is locking you into a contract before proving their value, that’s a red flag.

Getting Pushed Through Lender–Agent Partnerships
In many cases, large lenders, mortgage brokers, and even home search apps have referral agreements with real estate agents or in-house brokerages. That means once you get pre-approved or show interest in a property, you may be steered toward an agent the company is financially tied to. These agents may feel more loyalty to the referring partner than to you, and you may not even realize you have other options.

High-Pressure Real Estate Teams
Some high-volume teams advertise under a single brand or top-producing agent, but when you reach out, you’re handed off to someone completely different who is often a junior or newly licensed team member. You might assume you’re working with the expert you saw online, but in reality, you’re just a lead in a system. That handoff isn’t always transparent, and the person you end up with may not have the experience or bandwidth to serve you well.

The “Bait Listing” Tactic
Some agents or teams use unrealistically low-priced listings, sometimes already under contract or not even available, to attract buyer inquiries. The goal isn’t to sell that home. It’s to get you on the phone. Once you’re engaged, they’ll quickly pivot to other properties and try to secure you as a client. This kind of bait-and-switch approach is frustrating and wastes your time.

Social Media Giveaways and “What’s Your Home Worth?” Forms
You’ve probably seen these before: a contest for a gift card, a promoted post asking if you want to know your home’s value, or a slick video offering a free market analysis. These are lead generation tools—designed to collect your name, email, and phone number. Once you submit, you may be entered into a follow-up campaign, assigned to an agent, and contacted repeatedly, even if you were just casually browsing. According to one report, 38% of new real estate clients come directly from social media, many of whom were funneled in after entering contests or submitting home valuation requests (Simpli). Be wary of these types of contests and form fills.

Cold Calling & Direct Mail
Some agents use cold calls or direct mail to aggressively pitch their services, often with bold promises like “I can sell your home in 3 days for over asking” or “I have a buyer ready for your property now.” These tactics often rely on pressure, urgency, and emotional triggers to get your attention. Be cautious of anyone offering results that sound too good to be true, especially if they push you to act quickly or commit without a full conversation.

IV. Next Steps

In today’s market, it’s easier than ever to end up with an agent you didn’t truly choose or one who is a poor fit and will cost you time, money, and stress in the long run.

We wrote this article to help you recognize and avoid those traps, and to give you the knowledge and clarity to protect yourself before you commit. But knowing what not to do is only half the equation.

In our next article, “Don’t Sign Anything Until You Read This: The Definitive Guide to Finding & Choosing the BEST Real Estate Agent”, we show you how to confidently find, research, vet, and choose the right real estate agent for you, someone who fits your unique situation, understands your priorities, and knows how to get the job done right.

You can also search PropertyProsHQ for agents that we have already vetted. We provide directory listings to agents who are at the top of their field, have a strong reputation, understand their local market inside and out, and who most importantly, put their clients first.