Complete Guide To Engaging The Perfect Property Agent 2023
I need to clarify, there is no guide for engaging the perfect property agent – he or she does not exist.
But that is only because every person’s needs are different – no ONE agent can fulfill them all.
Your property agent friend may or may not be the one for you.
What this guide aims to do is to help you navigate the confusing initial stages of finding a legitimate and responsible property agent with expertise suited to your needs.
Table of Contents
Legit or not?
This is the most important step in the guide.
Do not skip this step no matter how much the property agent is recommended by your friends or family.
For peace of mind that you are dealing with the real deal, just do a quick check on the CEA website here or via the CEA@SG Mobile Application.
Other relevant things to check for on the site include whether he or she has been suspended before or if they have closed any transactions in recent months.
Background check
Like the hiring process of any other job, doing a background check on your property agent can help you get to know them better.
Wondering if they are responsible and professional?
Simply pick up your phone, do a quick google search of their name, and chances are you will be able to find other customer reviews on their websites.
Obviously be wary about believing everything you read online – fake reviews can and do exist.
Chemistry test with your property agent
Regardless how great the property agent credentials look on paper, this can really make or break your experience of buying, selling, renting, or leasing, your property. Why do I say so?
Think about it.
A typical property sales process takes an average of 3 – 6 months of which many details need to be discussed and agreed upon.
Imagine having to deal with someone you feel awkward discussing financial matters with, or worse makes you feel pressured about agreeing on decisions you have not made your mind up on.
This is why I would always recommend an interview session to assess the agent’s communication style and decide whether you feel comfortable with him or her.
Professionalism
This is something you cannot take for granted.
Try to get a sense of your property agent’s professionalism through face-to-face meet-ups and inquiries over email or WhatsApp.
There are fundamental things like being punctual for client meetings, responding to inquiries in a timely and polite manner and providing clients with accurate and relevant market information.
I for one would not entrust someone who cannot even achieve the above to help me manage my property transaction.
Pick a side / no dual-representation
This should be a given.
However, do always make sure that your property agent, if engaged, is only representing you and your interest in the transaction to prevent a conflict of interest.
That means no pocketing commissions from both parties.
Exclusive or multiple property agent(s)?
Let us explore the two sides to this debate. Some sellers believe that engaging multiple property agents will get them a quick transaction turnaround because there are “more” people working on it.
But that is not always the case, since most agents advertise on similar platforms, like PropertyGuru or 99.co, they tend to get inquiries from the same pool of buyers.
Buyers may also get inconsistent information and mixed experiences from the multiple agents.
On the other hand, some sellers believe in signing exclusive agreements with an agent (where only one agent can transact your property), because they will dedicate more time and effort in your property.
It also allows the agent to be fully focused on your best interest instead of just trying to close the deal.
There is no real answer to this age-old debate, so go with your preference.
Property agent’s commission
If you have decided on an agent, before any work starts, it is in both your interests to discuss and settle on a fee. While the Council of Estate Agencies (CEA) does not fix a fee structure, the general market sentiments have been as such:
For selling a private or HDB flat: 2%+GST
For buying a HDB flat: 1%+GST.
For buying a private property: No fees are payable
These fees have been in place since almost a decade ago and have not changed much. What has changed dramatically however is the real estate marketing landscape.
I am sure you have noticed how modern property agents are pulling out all stops to get a property sold these days.
From professionally shot videos on Facebook and YouTube ads, to aesthetically beautiful shots of interiors on Instagram and more.
These are all the hard work of proactive agents who invests in their marketing costs to help improve the attractiveness of their clients’ properties.
After all, the more eyeballs, the more chances of interested buyers reaching out right?
Merely listing an advertisement on a property portal is a property marketing technique of the previous decade.
With an abundance of thousands of resale properties and new launch properties entering the market consistently, such passive marketing will simply not do anymore.
With the increase in effort and costs in marketing to sell any one property, commission fee structures have started evolving in tandem.
We now see more modern property agents charging up to 3-5%.
On this note, I am sure your responsible agent will keep you updated on his or her marketing plans and strategies.
Conclusion
Find Your Perfect Property Agent Today!
Thanks for reading through our beginners’ guide! Hope you are now feeling confident and well-equipped on how to start your search for the property agent for your needs.
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Self Introduction
Greetings! My name is Rick Long, and I am proud to serve as the Associate Division Director of Huttons Asia Pte Ltd, with over a decade of experience in the real estate industry.
My passion for helping clients find their dream homes has grown exponentially during my tenure in the field. As a graduate of Singapore Polytechnic, I have always valued the importance of hard work and determination.
My prior experience serving in the airforce instilled in me the value of teamwork, perseverance, and discipline.
Over the years, I have been privileged to receive several accolades for providing exceptional service and dedication to my clients.
My ultimate goal is to ensure that each individual I work with has the best possible experience, whether they are buying or selling a property.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is receiving glowing five-star reviews from satisfied clients.
Knowing that I have positively impacted someone’s life is truly humbling, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence every day.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, indulging my passion for sports, and exploring the rich and diverse culinary landscape of Singapore.
Amidst the bustling pace of life, I relish moments of calm by immersing myself in the art of tea-brewing and teapot appreciation.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Additionally, Rick is a proud fur daddy to two rescue kitties and loves spending his free time with his wife and furbabies. He believes in giving back to the community and volunteers his time to animal welfare causes whenever possible.
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