“Why do I need to use a Property Search agent?”

Anyone can look for a property. There is a lot of very standard property out there on the market that is being bought with casual passing reference to anything resembling proper market research. We all know property buying isn’t rocket science but it’s a fact that too many properties are bought without an open mind being employed.

Most searches seem to start on a web portal and end with a purchase which misses essential basic research and investigation. There’s usually sporadic contact with a very few estate agents, excluding many who could have been invaluable contributors to the property pot. To sum up you need to have thorough, diligent, consistent research and viewing in a specific area over a decent period of time to get a decent outcome.

“What would your ten top tips be to buy a property?”

1.    Be in regular (daily) contact by phone and in person with all the agents that are relevant to your search.

2.    Know all the key people at all the relevant estate agents

3.    Discriminate. Don’t spend disproportionate amounts of time with agents that can’t help you.

4.    Stand out! Estate Agents must prioritise YOU above all their other applicants (buyers)

5.    Be focussed on your requirements and not waver or hop from area to area.

6.    Be consistent and thorough. Keep careful notes of the properties and the conversations and use them to ensure you do not regress.

7.    Be in control of your search. Do not let estate agents control you.

8.    Be available to view at short notice.

9.    Provide estate agents with feedback within 12 hours of viewing

10.  You need to use a home finder!

“Should I continue to search myself after instructing you?”

It can be very confusing for estate agents to find a home search agent and his client both conducting the same search. The focus for the estate agent should be on the home finder and you should be strengthening that line of communication not weakening it

“What type of people use a Property Search agent?”

Ideal Property’s recent clients include;  Authors, Housewives, Accountants, , Company Chairman, Professional Musicians, Computer personnel,  Engineers, Stockbrokers, Currency Traders, Bankers, Solicitors and people in PR.  The list goes on and on. Often people who are simply too busy and too appreciative of the work we do to try to go it alone!

“Some Home search agents charge according to the percentage of saving that they negotiate from the asking price of the property – is this not a better deal for me?”

What if a property is clearly good value – would that home finder ignore it in favour of one that was going to pay them more commission? If you measure success by the discount obtained from an asking price of a property then you may be missing the point of using a home finder.

“What if I change the area I am searching in during the search?”

Most people have more than one area they are considering. However let’s see if we can help you to focus your requirements from the briefing stage onwards The more we can help you narrow your area the more effective the search becomes.

“Am I obliged to pay you a fee for the initial consultation?”

No. It’s totally free and without obligation. We are happy to come over to see you and of course evening appointments are fine (and popular).

“Why do I have to pay you a deposit?”

The reason an appointment deposit is paid is two fold. Firstly we are looking for genuine, focused clients as we do not want to commit energy, time, work and resources to researching and pre-viewing for a client who uncommitted. It also goes towards the substantial costs of research and work.

“What happens if I find a property myself?”

The emphasis is on working together – it is important that our clients share with us any pre-existing interest in any particular property so that we are able to use that to help us gain insight into your requirements. We would also discuss excluding that property from any search fee liability.

Clients should let us know if they intend to arrange viewing themselves as such intentions are probably incompatible with instructing a home search agent to act for you. It may also confuse the estate agents that we work with. Again – The emphasis is on working together.

“What is the situation if you are already looking for the same type of property for another client in the same area and at the same price?”

We do not take on new clients if there is any conflict or potential conflict with an existing clients search. This would include any search in the same price band in an overlapping area.  If an existing client changed their search area and that would result in a conflict then we would advise both parties of the conflict before proceeding

“I haven’t yet put my house on the market – can you help me?”

If you have not yet instructed an estate agent to sell your property we can in all probability negotiate a lower commission rate even with your choice of agent. It’s a good idea to call us before instructing an estate agent as we may be able to assist you with some useful advise to maximise your properties value and chances of selling.

“My estate agent has offered to supply me with a Home Information Pack (HIP). Should I take him up on his offer?”

We do advise that you NOT get your HOME INFORMATION PACK (HIP) through your Estate Agent. It is vitally important that you remain independent of the agent for the following main reasons:

1.    You will probably pay an increased or enhanced commission rate to include the cost of a HIP or pay more for the HIP than you need to.

2.    The estate agent shouldn’t then be using the (inclusive) price of the HIP as a way of justifying a higher fee.

3.    If you become unhappy with your agent (many do) or want to de-instruct them to move to a different agent you will not be able to do so until you have settled the cost of your HIP with your existing Estate Agent. The HIP could well be the property of the agent you are leaving and it may be awkward to negotiate a settlement with them. You may be forced to commission a second one.

Get your own HIP ordered (and preferably paid for) before you contact any estate agent to sell your property

You can order a Hip from us – call for more information on 0800 074 5335 or see our HIPs information page

Labels: FAQ