Apartment hunter, real estate agency: what is the difference (s)?

The real estate agency

The agency is responsible for selling apartments, houses, lofts, duplexes. Some specialize in luxury properties, atypical apartments and even some on the ground floors. However, most of the time, they are located in a neighborhood and sell real estate only in their area.

The real estate agency signs a contract (sales mandate) with the sellers. She represents them and defends their interests. Agencies manage a portfolio of apartments that they generally do not share with other agencies.

When a buyer calls them, too often, the agency does not have in its portfolio the property that could correspond to his search, it tries to sell him what could be more or less suitable. In addition, they sometimes show property just to show the owner that they are doing their job and then convince him that the property is overvalued. This explains the unnecessary visits, an unpleasant moment for the buyer.

Fortunately, there are many conscientious real estate agents who will not push buyers to visit apartments unnecessarily. But how do you avoid the others?

The real estate hunter

He does not have any apartments for sale. He signs a contract with the buyer (search mandate) and takes note of his specifications. The real estate hunter will review the entire real estate market, select the ads and visit alone at first.

When an apartment corresponds very precisely to the buyer's search, he makes a second visit with the buyer.

Finally, once the hunter has found the rare pearl, he advises the buyer in order to negotiate the apartment, house or loft at the best price.

The apartment hunter then organizes the signatures with the notaries. It can also present to the purchaser brokers, architects, decorators...

The aim of the apartment hunter:

• Don't waste the buyer's time
• The advisor so that he buys a quality property and makes a good investment
• Make the buyer benefit from his network