How to gracefully break up with your real estate agent

The agent has lost you as a customer and lost your referrals. Given her reaction, you’re better off finding a different agent willing to work with you. You can leave it at that, and pay the fee, or talk to her managing broker to let that person know how the relationship soured and how she dealt with you in the end. You might also use that time to protest the fee. Frequently, managing brokers can smooth things out and, in some cases, waive fees due to a soured relationship.