Finding the right property without knowing the area can become onerous. The internet is a great source of information but can lead you on a goose chase running into every home open and property on the market. In Perth, most agents have the opportunity to show and sell you any other agents properties not only their own (conjunctional), unless you have already contacted the other agent in any way. Finding a sales rep you can relate to and who you trust will not only provide that personal contact, but also helps you narrow your search down by having spent time with you understanding your needs and matching those needs with their knowledge of the prices, properties and areas.
Some reps prefer not to work with purchasers only with sellers given that there is a fair amount of effort put in that may not result in a sale. The conjunctional rep is there to make life easier for you and loyalty is therefore valued so if you would like a rep to assist you, ask them what their preferred protocols are for attending home opens etc.
A listing agent and the conjuncting agent both act for the seller and, therefore, have certain obligations to the seller in selling their property. By law, agents must act in the best interests of the person who engaged them, although they have a duty of care and are obliged to act fairly and honestly for the other party.
If you are a buyer and want an agent to look after your interests, then you may wish to engage a buyer’s agent who will act for you alone. If you decide to do this, you will need to enter into a written contract with the agent in the same way that a seller enters into a written contract with their agent, with agreed fees. There are many considerations when finding a property for a buyer and many ways of structuring a buyer’s agent agreement so please ask us and we can help you with all the information you may need.
Research indicates that it is clear that negotiation practices differ from culture to culture and that culture can influence the way people conduct themselves during negotiations. Culture is defined as the socially transmitted behaviour patterns, norms, beliefs and values of a given community and they use their culture to interpret their surroundings and guide their interactions with other people.
Because of differences in culture or personality, or both, people approach deal making with one of two basic attitudes: a negotiation is either a process in which both can gain (win/win) or a struggle in which, of necessity, one side wins and the other side loses (win/lose).
A knowledge of those factors may help a negotiator to understand a counterpart from another culture and to anticipate possible sources of friction and misunderstandings
It is therefore important that your rep understands all parties’ objectives, offering a high level of communication skills in order to serve as an effective facilitator and provide a ‘bridge’ between differences in negotiation style of the buyer and seller during the negotiation process.
Remember some of the primary reasons you employ a real estate agent is for their skill in marketing, communication and negotiation.
Your sales rep will explain process of making an offer so you understand your rights and obligations. Here are some layman explanations of contract lingo when making an offer:
Offer and acceptance – the contract documentation used in Western Australia which is a legally binding contract that sets down the terms and conditions under which the purchase and sale will be completed.
Tenants in common – a way of owning property between two or more persons who are related or who are unrelated in equal or unequal shares.
Joint tenants – another way of owning property between two or more owners on the asset where if one owner dies, then the surviving owner or owners automatically continues to own the asset
Vacant possession – Taking possession of the property without any tenant or lease.
Settlement date – the date on which funds are transferred for the sale of the property, settlement date does not necessarily mean possession date, ask you rep to explain
Special conditions - There are certain special conditions that you may want to include when making an offer, your rep will be able to inform you.
Joint forms of general conditions – forms part of the offer and acceptance contract and sets out the rights and obligations of the parties under law.
Note: There is no cooling off period in Western Australia
Both the seller and the purchaser nominate a settlement agent of choice. Once the offer has been accepted by both parties the sales rep sends all the sale documents to the settlement agents who organises the transfer of the property and ensures that all conditions of sale as per the general conditions and special conditions have been met.
Did you know: Settlement takes place first, and then the tiles go to Landgate for the transfer of ownership and for new titles to be issued.
Ask your rep about your options when choosing a settlement agent and or a finance broker.
With accurate information and great support, buying and selling should be a seamless experience
Source:
REIWA
Department of Commerce WA
Salacuse , Jeswald W. The top ten ways culture affects negotiating style