AKRON (AP) — Complaints against real estate agents and brokers are climbing in Ohio as a

AKRON (AP) — Complaints against real estate agents and brokers are climbing in Ohio as a lackluster housing market leads to fewer sales and more frustration, state government figures showed.

The number of complaints submitted to the state Department of Commerce has risen each of the last five years, going from 473 in 2004 to 885 this year.

When housing sales are booming, there are fewer complaints about real estate brokers and agents, but when sales slow down, buyers and sellers are quick to blame real estate professionals over even minor issues, real estate experts said.

Some of the most common complaints involve buyers upset over undisclosed property problems and agents not doing the marketing they had promised. There’s also been an increase in mortgage fraud and criminal allegations.

Harold McPherson, of Springfield Township near Akron, said his broker didn’t come to showings with prospective buyers, failed to return his house key and didn’t pick up the “For Sale” signs from his yard after their six-month contract expired. His home didn’t sell last year. He also said broker Teresa Farley of TL Farley Realty didn’t pay him the $1,000 in cash she guaranteed if the house didn’t sell within 30 days.

McPherson, a semiretired bounty hunter and former tow truck driver, filed a complaint with the Department of Commerce.

The department’s Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing cited Farley for failing to return the house key promptly and not removing the signs. Commerce spokesman Dennis Ginty said an investigation found no other misconduct.

Farley agreed in a settlement earlier this year to pay up to $700 in fines and attend three hours of training. She said she only agreed to a settlement to put the episode behind her.