Re: Agents
 

I've absolutely no idea if they are ignoring the rest of the country,I don't live there...how would I know?

Re: Agents
 

I would of course expect an agent to do a good job if I am BUYING, what we need are recommendations of those who do a good job SELLING.

Re: Agents
 

Exactly the point.

It's fine having a discussion around this topic but to be honest it doesn't address the original question posed i.e. Can you recommend effective SELLING Agents.

Thanks again.

Re: Agents
 

I think even the best effective agent would have a problem selling in this environment, but you could get lucky

I find it hard to believe when agents say the market is picking up, I think its bravado and BS

I don't think the market is going to change much for the next 2 or 3yrs, in fact I think things will get a lot worse in the next 6 months or so and prices will fall again, PT and Spain broke, double dip UK!!

one of the problems is, properties are still being way over valued and owners thinking it is worth this, unfortunately if you bought 2 to 5yrs ago you paid way over odds

hang on to your property if you can for the next few yrs, if not and you really need to sell then make sure the price is very attractive to the few potential buyers

but hey who gives a monkeys when the sun is shinning

PS.......I have never meet any good estate agents, is there such a thing?

Re: Agents
 

I dont think we have ever met.....iam a good un!:)...lol

Re: Agents
 

No offence and present company excepted

I am just going from my experiences, I have dealt will agents in the UK, Spain and Portugal and never had a good service from them, they are just out for one thing, the biggest commission they can get and they will do anything to get this. This is a massive problem for the industry.

I think it says it all when this thread has been viewed over a thousand times and there is 3 or 4 recommendations!!

But I think in 5yrs our so agents will be a thing of the past, as sell you own property websites will take over, its happening already.

Re: Agents
 

Web sites still need people to sell and as these are the same people who work for agents so nothing really changes.
As you say the property market in Portugal has attracted some just looking to make as much money as they can in as short a time and then move on.
But there are some changes to be seen.
Because of the recession the lightweights have gone as lacking knowledge and ability they could not survive.
This winnowing out process will continue and hopefully we will see a smaller number of agents but ones with more ability and knowledge.

I know of one seller who gave 2 agents a figure that he needed to make.
Agent 1 allowed for costs and some negotiating room listed a higher price still within the market range.
Agent 2 ( one of the Franchises ) just listed the property at the figure given by the seller. A lower figure than agent 1.

The seller if he accepted agent 2 after commission and selling costs would actually end up in a negative situation.

This is an example of the agent putting his needs ( a sale ) above that of his client.

Re: Agents
 

yes you are right they could be the agents that run the website but it would be a package you buy from them, sales board, property's details, ad on rigthmove etc.........there would be no commission......it would be in your hands not theirs, there are a few websites doing it already, search google.......in 5yrs time it will be you who sells the house and collects your sales board from Tesco!........it will happen and that's because of technology and the c*rp service given by 99% of agents

Re: Agents
 

We have met you Derek and yes you are a good'un. We have no complaints about the service you gave us when we bought on the Silver Coast last December

Re: Agents
 

I am not sure that companies such as Rightmove etc could be lisenced in Portugal as the rules regarding selling property are quite strict.
Also in the UK only a very small percentage of sales go through such sites.
Most are " Portals " where enquries for property are passed on to agents who have them on their books and they then deal with the sale.

Re: Agents
 

when I mentioned rightmove it was just an example and I understand that they are portals for agents, but they do sell overseas property's http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property.html

what I am saying is the day will come when you and I can put your house on sites like rightmove if they be in the UK or PT and you will not need the agent, you can do it now to certain extent http://www.agents4u.co.uk/sell.html

as far as I am concerned the sooner the better, it will put more money in our pockets and agents will be a thing of the past

just google sell your own property, its the start of it

Re: Agents
 

Many thanks for your considered responses to this request. I read with interest the discussion around this topic and yes I often think there has just got to be a better way. I will look at websites mentioned.

Much appreciated and of benefit to all.

Re: Agents
 

the best of luck with it Dympna

think out of the box

Re: Agents
 

Interesting thoughts about people selling their own properties in the future,
but would they really be selling them on their own, they would still need to market the property somewhere, website or printed media, in order to attract intrest.
This will no doubt involve a cost from these companies doing the marketing, I think this cost would be less than what the average agent charges to find a buyer and handle the process of selling. but would a combination of these companies offering advertising only and the property owner get the same results,
no dissrespect intended to the average home owner.
but marketing a property in a way that will attract interest and then presenting it to clients, then mediatating and overseeing a sale (often can be very complicated), also does the average home owner have the time or the inclination to show several clients around, answering endless questions, helping the buyer to relocate to another country, offering a helpfull service before and after the sale is often what makes a buyer choose to buy,(when moving abroad) if the client was dealing direct with the home owner would they feel as confident knowing that as soon as they sign the owner will (in most cases) be moving on and not be on hand to offer help and assistance over the first 6 months or so, as most good agents do.

What about the inconvenience to the house hunter?
if they wanted to look at several properties (most do) they would need to deal with lots of individual owners, in lots of different locations, rather than meeting up with one person (the agent) who then takes them around the various properties. sets up all the appointments to view the different houses,

I have nothing against the idea of people selling their own homes, and right now there is nothing to stop people trying this route, it may well save them some money, but i think the reason most people choose to employ the services of an agent is that they know that the agent has a better chance of selling their property than they would have on their own, the agent already has the infrastuctures in place to promote the property to the widest audience, the available trained staff to answer complicated questions on buying, financing, planning, relocating etc.

I think if in the future technology makes it easier for people to find buyers and sell direct then it makes sense for people to do that, but at the moment most people wanting to sell, want to do so quickly and with the least amount of hassle, the estate agency route is probably the best way of achieving that

At the moment i dont think there is a viable other option that would get quick results for home owners wanting to sell their property other than working with a "Good agent with a good reputation for getting rersults" of course this does cost money, and so it should as the agent like any business has overheads to cover, the fee should be a fair amount that both the home owner and agent are happy with,
but as we all know this is not always the case, some agents do try to overcharge for the service they provide, the balance is getting the cost to sell using an agent right, if its a fair price then I think people would be happy to use their services, if its too much then they will look at other options.

Re: Agents
 

There is even more to it.
A good agent to facilitate the sale ensures that all the paperwork is in order ( and those of us who have homes in Portugal know how complicated this can be ).You need the energy certificates. What about condominium agreements etc etc
Your buyer may need a bank account, mortgage, fiscal number etc.
All of this can be dealt with by a good agent.
Selling yourself or via a Portal may not be as easy as you think.

Our agent did most of this for us. Without it we may not have bought.