clear head and provide honest feedback at every stage. Are you being shown properties above your budget, or seeing properties too far from the beach? Never lose 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. Make notes as you go along, mark up a map, and
take pictures to help recall them at the end of the day. It could also be useful to take a tape measure and a compass so that you can check for yourself the room sizes and orientations being quoted.
Look out for “clues” about residents and the health
of developments – what cars are there in evidence; are there still wires hanging from the ceilings where the lights should be (ie they have never been occupied)? Think about layouts, storage space, running costs and
what fi xtures and fi ttings are included. Don’t forget to check parking and security features. If you like a property, don’t be pressurised into making a decision before you get home; the frenzied days of the property boom are now over and you have time to refl ect and consider how you might negotiate. Not all trips end in a sale immediately but that
Paying your way will give you greater control of the situation, and these days “try before you buy” schemes where you pay to stay in a development or villa which is for sale is another option worth investigating. It’s a good idea to “shop around” and check out the competition so that you know you are getting a representative idea of the local market, not just what an agent wants you to see.
Also think about taking along a trusted friend – as you might do at a house-viewing here in the UK – if you want a second opinion. Either way, once your trip is booked, build up a list of questions to ask and consider getting an independent lawyer on board in case you need to ask their advice during the trip.
When you get there, be punctual for viewings, keep a Top Tips
Ë Do your research. Where exactly do you wish to buy, what type of property meets your needs and which agents have a good reputation?
Ë Pay your way for more flexibility. You can make appointments with more than one agent and potentially get more from your trip.
Ë Don’t go expecting to relax, make the most of your time by seeing as much as possible and use the agent for local knowledge and market info.
Ë Don’t rely on your memory alone. Take notes and pictures as you go.
Ë Keep a cool head and don’t be pressurised into signing up for something on the spot – you need time to reflect on the pros and the cons.
AIPP CONSUMER GUIDE 37
doesn’t mean they haven’t been a success for all involved. And importantly, no matter what anyone tells you, don’t be pressurised into signing a binding purchase agreement there and then. If you need more time to think about it, or if your lawyer is not available to go through the contract with you that day, ask to make a non-binding reservation instead.
SECTION 4 BUYING YOUR PROPERTY
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