Hi. For those of you who have not yet met me. Let me introduce myself. My name is Menno van Mechelen. I am & have been both an estate agent as well as property investor myself for the last 23 years. I specialize in the “flat & townhouse” niche market, which encompasses both entry level as well as investment properties.
TODAYS TOPIC: FRUSTRATED BUYERS OR FRUSTRATED ESTATE AGENTS?
If you are a serious buyer, you may not be getting the attention you deserve!! At the moment it is a seller’s market with good, market related properties being hard to find. This is even more so in the market I deal with, that is entry level flats & townhouses.
HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ESTATE AGENTS:
-Firstly, my primary task is finding the best properties -Once I have done that, I spend a vaste amount of time, to market these properties & ensure that they get the best possible exposure. -A lot of time is also spent following up property owners & keeping my clients, whose properties I market happy & informed as to progress. -Then of course a lot of time is also spent on administrative tasks, red tape, networking, training & keeping abreast of latest trends & technology. So where do you as buyer fit in?
Well, once I know exactly what a buyer is looking for, and a suitable property comes available, generally it’s really just a question of putting the 2 together. BUT, Can you imagine how many emails are generated by the myriad of websites I use, like Property 24, Private property, IOL, to name but a few?
MOST OF THESE EMAIL INQUIRIES READ: -“Please send me more information” or -“I want to view the property” Now this is where the problems comes in. You may actually be a serious buyer. You may know exactly what you want. You may have a good idée of the price range you are interested in. You may be looking for a property where an existing tenant could be a bonus if you want to purchase an investment? Or you might be urgent to move in yourself? If you are elderly, the 3rd floor may not be suitable because of stairs. And so on…..,
BUT, I don’t know that and so by sending me a general enquiry, with no contact numbers, or requirements, you may just be getting lost amongst all the general emails from people who may not even be buyers. Remember that some people love “surfing the nett” and inquiring about anything they might find interesting or just because they are playing with the thought to “maybe, someday, the may want to own a property”, so they send me an inquiry.
THIS BRINGS ME TO SOME ADVICE THAT MAY HELP YOU GET TO THER GOAL A LOT SOONER & WITH LESS FRUSTRATION: -Be specific and include as many details about your requirements in email enquiries. -Don’t expect agents to be keen to “discuss” the property back & forth per email as this would take up our entire day. -Read the reply you get from an estate agent carefully. Follow the links or instructions. -Pick up the phone saving time and creating that personal relationship that helps you stand out from the sea of general email enquiries. The best way to finding the best property is often the simplest, fastest & least roundabout way.
REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF BUYERS OUT THERE WAITING TO GRAB THE BEST PROPERTIES. MAKE SURE WE KNOW YOU ARE ONE OF THEM. HELP ME TO HELP YOU!!
Hope this has been helpful. Your feedback is always welcome. Go to my facebook page or email me. Cheers until next time Menno (C)082 465 1057 menno@webafrica.org.za www.facebook.com/Menno.FlatSpecialist