7 Questions to Ask Your Property Buying Agent
Buying a house can be an extremely stressful process, especially if you don’t have the time or availability to visit the property that you’ve had your eye on. That’s why you should invest in a property buying agent - we can give you the best advice on property, price and amenities in your desired location.
Relocate To Cornwall’s combination of expert knowledge of the local area and experience in the property industry means that we know exactly what you should be looking for when you’re choosing a buying agent to help you find the house of your dreams. We’ve rounded up 7 of the most crucial questions to ask your buying agent - let’s take a look!
1: “What Qualifications Do You Have To Make You a Successful Buying Agent?”
Before you start the process with any buying agent, this is one of the most important questions that you need to ask. Luckily for you, Relocate to Cornwall have all the necessary qualifications and more. Our founder Joanna is a Chartered Surveyor - meaning she can provide an accurate valuation of your dream property along with providing a professional eye whilst viewing the property.
However, it’s not all about qualifications that make a good agent. Understanding client requirements, an intricate understanding of the local area and having a good network of professional contacts is what makes the complete package.
2: “What can a buying agent do that I cannot do by myself?”
House moving for many is extremely emotional, with many ups and downs during the process. A buying agent is able to provide guidance and support from the start of the process until the sale completes, as well as setting expectations.
A buying agent will set realistic expectations of what can be purchased within budget, consequently avoiding spending lots of time looking for a property which is simply unobtainable. Buying agents will also advise on the best location with regards to where would be most suitable for everyday life, school considerations, transport links, sporting facilities and local amenities.
The knowledge and contacts that a buying agent has of the local property market are often instrumental in finding the best homes. Buying agents are in constant conversations with estate agents, informing them of the exact requirements of clients and following up on every lead. This often means that buying agents can source off-market properties before they launch on property portals because an estate agent knows it will be a perfect match. A buying agent’s knowledge and experience with negotiation can prove invaluable to securing a property on the best possible terms.
The difference a good team of professionals makes once an offer has been accepted should not be undervalued. In the current market, people are looking for a quick exchange and completion but if just one company that you have employed does not stick to time scales, then the whole transaction could be put into jeopardy. It’s often about knowing what potential problems may arise and being proactive rather than reactive. At Relocate to Cornwall, we have a network of trustworthy professionals from surveyors to solicitors and removal companies that are only a phone call away if problems need to be sorted.
3: “As a Property Buying Agent, How Well Do You Know The Area?”
Choosing a property buying agent who lives locally and understands the local property market is imperative. This knowledge extends to being able to advise on the specific property types so that a buyer can know what to expect within an area, to areas which should be avoided but are not initially apparent to a non-local.
Having a local buying agent means that they have connections to various other businesses, property developers, estate agents and other people within the property industry who aid in helping to find the ultimate property for you.
4: “What Services Do You (Property Buying Agents) Offer?”
Outlining exactly what your buying agent will do for you throughout the buying process is extremely important. Usually, property buying agents will offer various packages depending on the service you’re looking for.
To give some perspective, Relocate to Cornwall offer 3 packages. The Partial Package offers a property viewing and report service, the Full Package offers everything from searching for your dream house to completion of the sale, and the Bespoke package caters to your own specific needs throughout the buying process.
5: “How Do You Determine Which Homes Meet My Needs?”
It’s important to determine how your buying agent will specifically find the right house for you, while also making your wants and needs clear from the beginning. Asking them how they will complete this process will help to smooth out communication in the future.
At Relocate to Cornwall, we’ll start by sending you a questionnaire so that you can write down as much detail as you like. We will then have a face to face meeting or phone call to really go through the detail of exactly what you want from your dream home. At this point there will be a discussion about how achievable your requirements are with the budget given. This will include the type of property, location, amenities and much more.
6: “What Would Your Approach Be If It Came To A Bidding War?”
This is an important factor to define when working with a property buying agent. It’s important that your agent understands how far you want to go within your budget, or when they should continue to push for your dream home. Experience working with estate agents as well as valuing property will allow your buying agent to determine if you might need to offer a little more, or if the property is no longer worth the asking price, as well as setting you and your financial situation out to the estate agent in the best possible light to put you ahead of other buyers.
This is something we define early on when we come up with your brief. Relocate to Cornwall ensure that we always work within your budget, whilst constantly staying in contact with you in regards to how high you would like to bid.
7: “Do You Have Any Testimonials From Previous Clients?”
This will give you a great indication of whether the property buying agent you’re considering has been successful with their customers in the past - helping you to trust the process and their judgment as a professional. You can browse Relocate to Cornwall’s list of testimonials today to see how customers have enjoyed working with us.
Find Your Dream Property With Relocate To Cornwall
If you’re looking to buy a property in Cornwall, we offer extensive knowledge of the local area, experience within the property industry, bespoke property buying services, an accurate valuation of your dream property and much, much more! Want to find out more by speaking to a buying agent? Get in touch with our experts today and we'll do our best to answer your questions.
