Who uses a buyer’s agent?

Many people think that it is only the rich who engage the services of a buyers’ agent.

Our client statistics show that the reality is vastly different to what you may think.
• 74% have a budget under $1 million.
• 71% are owner occupiers.
• 81% live in Sydney.

The reasons people may choose to use a buyers’ agent include:
• Being time poor
• Recognizing a knowledge deficit
• Appreciation of the benefits of “buying” experience
• Comfortable with outsourcing specialist expertise
• Desire to avoid making a costly mistake
• Need reassurance and confidence to commit to such a monumental investment

Let me ask you this question – if you were to buy $20,000 in shares, would you do so without specialist advice? Your exposure to risk with property is much greater and the asset is not very liquid, to say nothing of the costs of getting in and out of the market. In short, everybody can benefit from using a buyers’ agent.

For more information on buying property in Sydney go to www.gooddeeds.com.au.

Strata reports - often a long list of repairs is a good sign

When you read a strata report that documents a litany of building issues it can be easy to be scared off a property. And sometimes it is a warning of impending inconvenience and cost. However, it can also indicate a pro-active strata manager and an owner’s corporation that cares about maintaining their investment. In addition to the list of problems, look for a concerted and continued effort to address the issues. And keep an eye out for potential special levies. This is a sign that there has not been sufficient sinking fund levies in the past to cover these expected repairs.

For more information on how to avoid pitfalls when buying property: www.gooddeeds.com.au

A shameless plug… why use a buyer’s agent?

Here are just a few reasons:

You don’t sacrifice your weekends and family time.
Searching for a home can become all-encompassing and takes over your life!

We have access to unadvertised listings.
Though, to be honest, motivated vendors are those who pay for advertising. Unmotivated vendors want more than their property is worth – however your perfect property might just be owned by such a vendor and this could be the only way you are going to find it…

Selling agents often give us information that they won’t share with the average buyer.
Our lack of emotional involvement means we won’t have a “knee-jerk” reaction. Also, selling agents know that a buyer’s agent understands the sales process and therefore comfortably share information that can give our clients a distinct advantage over buyers who represent themselves.

If you'd like to know more, go to www.gooddeeds.com.au.

Don’t panic!

This is the time of year when new listings all but dry up. Many vendors, particularly those with properties lacking natural light, think that spring is the best season to put their property on the market. So as the weather cools, selling agents and buyers alike start to despair…

This is not to say that your dream home won’t come on the market in winter (smart vendors will be listing their properties now!). But the biggest mistake to make is to panic and pay far too much for a property or, worse still, buy something that really isn’t ideal. Take heart, take a breath and wait it out until spring – but don’t completely give up the hunt in case the perfect property does happen to turn up!

The agent isn’t always lying!

You found a place you want to buy and the agent is telling you there is another offer on the table. You don’t know whether to believe them or not. You don’t want to be so gullible that you just believe them and pay the asking price. But you don’t want somebody else to buy it. More times than not the agent is telling the truth. The real question you need to ask yourself is whether you would be prepared to lose the property for the amount extra the agent is saying you have to pay. If you are, then move on…

More info: www.gooddeeds.com.au