PORTALS, PAPERS AND AGENTS
As a “household”, well my wife and I, we regularly look through the property section of our local newspaper the Eastern Daily Press (very good it is too!). We look at country estates and think “imagine mowing the lawns” and “all that housework”.
On a more serious note, we do look at property prices. Having lived in Norfolk for over 40 years we know the “hot spots” and the “not spots” and how they change.
We look at beautiful Norfolk cottages in one area which are often £100,000 more than the village down the road. Not much difference in location, only the perception that the former is more desirable!
We have looked at modern apartments some of which are stunning to look at but we know that around the corner is a busy nightlife area. Fine if you want to be part of the action!
Portals or papers give you a starting point but when you get down to the nitty-gritty, it is local knowledge that counts particularly if you are new to the area or that particular location. Here is where a well-informed Estate Agent should be able to point you in the right direction.Yes they are the ones doing the advertising but when you talk with them on a personal basis they will be able to help narrow down your viewings to the ones that, having listened to your requirements, are most suited to you ( remember you may have to compromise on some of your ideas).
Obviously this is as important or maybe more so when buying abroad. If you don’t know a region or have only seen it from a holiday perspective it is important to have advice from an agent who has first-class local knowledge. ” We are going to have a look around while we are on holiday there”. We do hear this but how this helps to make a decision about buying a property has limited value unless it is backed up by estate agent help and with it their relevant up-to-date knowledge.
How do you know this is the ideal area for you? This is where help before you go can save some sticky journeys and wandering round to find properties. Even more so if you are with children who only want to be in the pool or on the beach! Beware the rose-tinted spectacles with a relaxed holiday mood as this can cloud your judgement. ” Not sure if we have done the right thing but we have bought in……..” We have heard this when people have asked our adviceafter having already bought! We try to reassure with positive comments knowing that they have overpaid and/or there were better options for their needs.
Many people are under the misapprehension that it will be cheaper to buy online. Very rarely is this so as most properties are advertised by agents who naturally are paid commission. Buying directly from the developer will not mean that the price will be lower as they have their in-house agents to pay. Whether you started with an agent or did it yourself till the final buying stage you are going to pay the same price for your property. So in the long run the price to you is the same but minus someone to give you advice and who can take away the job of searching through hundreds of properties to separate the wheat from the chaff.
AS INDEPENDENT PROPERTY SPECIALISTS WE ARE NOT TIED TO ANY ONE DEVELOPER OR BUILDER SO ARE FREE TO OFFER YOU A WIDE RANGE OF PROPERTIES IN LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SPAIN.
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