The most important thing when looking for a property is to
find a trustworthy agent; an agent that has been in the business for a long
time, an agent that is qualified,
knows the market well and has a large database of available properties, and if
possible an agent that has been recommended to you through your colleagues or
friends.
You need to be honest with your agent and make sure the
agent understands your needs and requirements and most importantly your budget.
Tell them up front the maximum you can pay should you like something, so they
can help you find what you are looking for without wasting your time and know
what they have to work with. If you change your requirements, let them know.
There’s no need to see everything within your budget range,
only what you require. A lot of times agents take you everywhere which only
wastes your time and will cause you frustration. If you listen to too many
people’s suggestions that can often lose sight of your requirement or budget
and will become more confused as to why the agent hasn’t taken you to the right
places.
If you feel the agent is not showing what you require,
perhaps they don’t understand your needs OR
you are not being realistic about your requirements and budget. Sometimes,
your requirements and budget is just impossible. So, be realistic! Once you
start your search you should have an idea of the possibility of getting what
you want.
It is not advisable
to look for property without an agent; you need an experienced person that
the owner or landlord respects and trusts so you are safe. It’s important that
the agents know the owner or landlord well so you won’t be stuck with “The
owner from hell”. Sometimes, the properties are great BUT the owner or landlord is difficult to
deal with. Your agent must know this and keep you away from these people or
they need to be there to help you deal with them throughout the negotiations. A
lot of times, you are left to deal with the problems on our own. You should be
able to call your agent and ask for their help anytime.
A trust worthy agent will help you with negotiations, make
sure that you have a fair purchase or lease agreement and be there when you
need help during closing or the lease term. You need to trust that your agent
knows what they are talking about, listen to their suggestions as they know the
market and how they can go about getting what you require. If they have a good
relationship with the owner or landlord, it makes it easier for them to
negotiate for you.
If you’d like to know more about this or have any questions
that I can answer OR if I can help you with finding the perfect home, please
contact me at
robert@fivestarvillasandcondos.com.
