2 BUYING YOUR PROPERTY
HOW DO YOU FIND
A GOOD AGENT? E
state agents may be regarded by some as a necessary evil but the fact is if you’re buying or selling a house it usually helps to have one. In the UK they may perform a
relatively straightforward hand-holding role, but when you’re buying abroad they need to play a far more signifi cant role that encompasses tour guide, chauffeur, translator and general advisor. You may spend hours driving across the
countryside with them, share meals, in fact even become life-long friends with them – if things work out especially well. In other cases, of course, relations might not end quite so cordially.
So how do you fi nd someone knowledgeable and trustworthy? Word of mouth always counts for a lot, as do genuine testimonials from previous clients, or advice from online forums. Bear in mind that agents are not always regulated or accredited in any way – this differs hugely from country to country. Thus membership of the AIPP is one benchmark and means they are bound by a professional code of conduct and disciplinary process (see pages 47-49). In some countries, anyone with a phone and
internet access can promote themselves as an agent. But in the States agents have indemnity insurance, and undergo relatively rigorous training. And in France an agent immobilier must have a carte professionelle, which means they are registered and have relevant experience. Meanwhile in Andalucia, in 2006 codes of conduct were introduced for estate agents which mean they have to provide a dossier of offi cial documentation with any property offered for sale or long-term rental – or they risk fi nes. But accountability aside, consider the language
barrier and also whether an agent has the capabilities to deal with an overseas buyer who has different expectations and involves extra work, needing all sorts of information about transport, schools, beaches etc, as well as being unfamiliar with the buying process. Test their knowledge by asking them about all
these things – they should be happy to spend time helping you and meeting face to face will help you make a judgement on their suitability. Do you feel comfortable with them? You will also often have the choice of working with a UK-based company selling abroad, or one locally based. There are advantages of each, but make sure that you are going to end up dealing with someone with great local knowledge, whether it is through a UK associate, or not. So be clear who they are, who they work for,
how they work, what you expect from them, and how much they are going to cost. Agent fees differ hugely between countries – and also in different cantons or regions within countries – and are sometimes paid for by the vendor, or shared between vendor and purchaser. They can vary from one to ten per cent, so check this out from the word go.
Another option is using an independent property
fi nder or agent who will be acting purely on your interests, but you may think the outlay is worth it – it is typically three per cent of the fi nal purchase price, plus possibly an initial search fee. Finally, as knowledgeable and helpful as your agent proves to be, they will never replace the need for independent legal advice. Always use a qualifi ed, English-speaking lawyer not supplied by the agent or developer. He or she may cost a little extra, but this is an essential cost that could save you thousands further along the line, if there is some oversight that comes to light due to the language barrier.
TOP TIPS TO.. FIND A . TOP AGENT..
Choose an agent who
comes recommended. Ideally meet them face to face. Be clear about their
role – and their costs – from the word go. Do they know their
stuff? Make the most of their local knowledge. Are they licenced, or member of any regulatory body such as the AIPP? What help can
you expect during the buying process? Will there be any after-sale care? Never view an agent as a substitute for independent legal and fi nancial advice.
AIPP CONSUMER GUIDE 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68