Clients coming to property from other fields, said du Plessis, almost invariably lack the knowledge of property law and property finance (and the nuances and conditions surrounding these matters) of which an experienced agent will be aware.
What should the client do, however, if he has doubts about the agent’s competence?
“In the case of a seller, it is prudent to send all written documentation (including all offers made for the house) to an attorney, preferably the one chosen to act as the conveyancer on the deal. The conveyancer will usually welcome this, as it is far easier to adjust an offer before the seller signs than to spend valuable time sorting out a dispute arising out of a faulty contract.”
The article mentions some problems that occurred during property transactions and while an estate agent does provide a valuable service, do not let that put you off from purchasing a property privately. Just be sure to make use of a competent attorney to assist with the legal matters and to ensure all documentation is accurate and complete. A good attorney should be able to highlight any errors before it is presented to a conveyancer for transfer.
Sometimes you might find private sale properties at better prices because there is no commission involved. Just be sure you have a legal and complete offer to purchase document for your offer. If you purchase privately, we can supply you with a blank copy of this important document.
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