AIPP • INSPECTION TRIPS
trips
and accommodation over a couple of days – often at discounted rates – and arranges an itinerary of suitable properties to view.
Inspection I
nspection trips can be a very effective way of looking for a property to buy abroad. An agent or developer organises your fl ights
Usually you are chauffeured around, looking at plenty of properties and getting lots of local information. The idea is that you can fi nd out as much as you need to make an informed decision about buying, as well as getting a feel for the local area. But inspection trips have gained rather a tarnished reputation since the boom years, when some people treated them as enjoyable little freebies with no real intention to buy, or agents produced overly ambitious itineraries and/or a 48-hour barrage of hard-sell that completely backfi red.
The fact is problems generally arise if buyer and “host” have different expectations so it’s wise to know what’s entailed before you sign up. Before you go, research the area, average prices and build up a list of questions to ask. There’s no such thing as a free lunch so if the trip is
heavily subsidised, naturally the agent or developer will be doing their best to sell to you. Pay your way and you’ll keep greater control of the situation. Likewise, don’t treat it as a cheap mini-break, it’s a
working trip so expect a packed schedule, and keep a clear head to make the most of your time. Would taking
Hard-sell horrors, pointless freebies or the best way to fi nd a property? The truth about inspection trips
a cool-headed friend/relative help your decision-making? If you wish for spare time to look around yourself or breathing space to make decisions, make this clear. Ask for an itinerary in advance, and fi nd out what costs are covered - some might be refundable if you buy. It may sound fundamental, but do also check that the
person on the ground will be able to speak English fl uently, or this may limit their usefulness. Make sure you make your priorities clear so your time
won’t be wasted: do you only want to see townhouses in a certain budget range? New-build or resales? Which areas are of interest? Don’t forget an agent is only going to show you their
properties. Making appointments with the competition won’t go down well if you‘re on a freebie so, again, if you want to get a broader picture, pay your way. When you’re on the trip, always keep sight of your two main objectives: gathering as much information as possible during viewings prior to making an offer; plus getting a feel for market values so you can judge whether an individual property is fairly priced. Take a digital camera to record different properties, and
make notes as you go along. You may think you will be able to remember them, but it’s amazing how 10 properties in a morning can blur together. It would also be useful to take a tape measure and a compass so that you can check for yourself room dimensions and the property’s orientation. A local map
16 AIPP CONSUMER GUIDE
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