What Is the Most Common Complaint Filed Against Realtors?

Buyers and sellers have a right to know what can go wrong in a real estate transaction, and the most frequently cited complaints center on honesty and disclosure.

Time and again, the most common complaints against real estate agents involve a failure to disclose material facts about a property or its condition, and misrepresentations, whether about the home itself, the transaction, or the terms. Put simply: agents who don't fully and truthfully share what they know.

What Are the Most Common Complaints Against Realtors?

Other frequent issues include:

• Acting without proper authorization or clarity on the client relationship.
• Failing to communicate, or not keeping clients informed through the transaction.
• Conflicts of interest that aren't disclosed.
• Document or process errors, especially around contracts, escrow, or earnest money.

How Are Agents Held Accountable in California?

California takes this seriously. Every agent is licensed and can be held accountable through the Department of Real Estate and the local association's professional standards process. Conduct that violates the law or the code of ethics can lead to discipline, fines, or losing the license.

Why This Matters to You as a Buyer or Seller

Here's why this matters to you as a buyer or seller: complaints and disputes most often trace back to a breakdown in transparency. That's exactly why choosing an agent who leads with honest, open communication from the very first conversation protects you. An agent who discloses thoroughly, keeps you informed, and puts your interest and your understanding first, is an agent far less likely to end up in a dispute.

This is one of the reasons we believe the way you choose your agent matters so much. Before you commit, it pays to know the red flags to watch for when choosing a listing agent — and to hire someone who talks through exactly how they work before you sign anything.

How to Protect Yourself From the Start

The real defense is asking the right questions up front. Understand what your agent will share, how often they'll update you, how they handle conflicts, and what their process looks like. When an agent is transparent about those things from day one, you have far less to worry about.