Viewing trips

I am often asked about Inspection trips, so here are my thought on this sometimes contentious matter!

Once you know your objective, have set a budget, decided upon the area that you’re interested in and understand the process, you should then make arrangements to visit. The longer you can stay the better. There are all sorts of packages that property companies offer; some even help to pay your flights and accommodation – yes, the ‘inspection trip’.

Inspection trips can vary considerably from agent to agent. There are some that are prepared to pay for a client to inspect their properties, paying for flights and accommodation. Others offer a rebated trip and deduct the expenses should the client end up buying a property.

Some go the route of one of my favourite agents in Southern Crete. They don't fund inspection trips per se but organise viewings and take as long as people need, usually a day or so, but it can be longer, as part of their service. They encourage people to first drive around themselves, as the ‘where’ is the hardest thing to decide upon. Once this is independently decided, then generally the property presents itself. Generally people then book time with them, are taken to the office, chat about what they want, are shown some property pictures and then driven around to different areas and properties they have chosen.

One of the biggest property developers has a different take on the matter: they ask for a £1000 reservation fee up front once the client has decided that they like the look of one of their properties. Then there is a ten day ‘cooling off’ period, in which time it is advisable to actually go and view the property. You can reclaim the money within that time if you decide not to go through with a sale.
They expect clients to pay their own air fare but will provide accommodation for 2 nights – in other words, it could be a three day stay. The price of the air fare (with a maximum of £200 each) will be deducted from the price of the final cost of the property once the deposit has been received should you buy through them and the £1000 will also go towards the price…sounds fair to me.

I asked yet another of the agents that I recommend and he tells me that by “inspection trip” they do not mean a two week holiday at their expense. They have conditions, which they explain to the potential buyer upfront, that include a rule of no more than 2 nights/3 day’s accommodation and the airfare pegged at economy class for no more than 2 persons.

“Any entourage of fan wavers, case carriers and general hangers on is just not catered for” he added…!

So...it’s up to you. Just remember this: deciding on which estate agent to use is one of the most important decisions you will make, and you need to be able to walk away if you decide that they are not to your liking or they are showing you unsuitable properties. This can be difficult to do if you are in an overseas country at their expense…

Give the OGC Resource Team a call. They are there to help you with this and many other things too: 0207 898 0549


Kim
The Overseas Guides Company
http://www.Overseasbuyingguide.com