Advantages for Buyers
An experienced LPA property agent will not waste your time.
All too often an enthusiastic but inexperienced agent will take you to see properties that simply do not fit your needs. “Thousands of properties” does not mean thousands of homes to suit you. No matter how vast the listing, only an experienced agent who knows the area can reduce the number to a few which you will find worth looking at.
Personal Attention
The agent can make this selection for you because he takes the time with you to find out exactly what you are looking for. “It is astonishing how many prospective buyers on the coast don’t really know what they want,” said one LPA agent. If you are one of these, the LPA agent can sympathetically help you identify your needs as to location, size and use. If you know exactly what you want, the agent can make a careful pre-selection for your personal viewing.
Exclusive Access to Quality Properties
LPA member agents have well-established reputations so they usually deal with quality properties. This is true for both new-build and re-sale properties, but it is especially important in finding the best re-sale properties. Many of these homes were originally purchased through LPA member agents, so their satisfied owners often market them through the same agent. Most of these quality re-sales are not listed anywhere else.
Face-to-Face Networking
LPA member agents actually see each other personally. Their network is not simply a matter of being able to punch up another agency’s listings on a computer screen. They talk to each other regularly, have lunch and meet to discuss property. This direct personal contact among the agents can be important to a buyer in several ways. One benefit is access to properties which never officially come on the market. Sometimes an owner wishes to sell his property discreetly, without listing it. He puts out word through LPA member agencies whom he trusts because of their long association. The LPA agent then offers the property in confidence to a buyer he feels is qualified. Another benefit is, to put it bluntly, that each agent keeps his eye on the others. If a member might be tempted towards a questionable business practice or an ethically unsound decision, he knows that he must personally face the other members on a regular basis.
Fair Pricing Policy
Of course all property sellers wish to obtain the highest possible price when selling their Costa del Sol home. This desire, especially in the recent boom times, leads some sellers to set their asking prices unrealistically high. An LPA member agent makes every attempt to ensure that properties listed with them are fairly priced so that unwary buyers are not taken advantage of. This means that dealing with an LPA agent can actually save money for the buyer.
Code of Ethics
LPA member agents live and prosper by a code of ethics ensuring fair business practice. The LPA members have established their reputations by years of trustworthy dealing with property sellers and buyers. They know that today’s buyer is tomorrow’s seller and repeat business comes only from satisfied customers. Good ethical practice is good business. See and download Code of Ethics.
Closing the deal
The fact that LPA member agents often personally know the sellers and their properties over the years is an important factor in negotiating and finally closing a property deal. Many things can go wrong with property purchase but an experienced professional can usually avoid the pitfalls and bring the transaction to a satisfactory conclusion for both parties.
Legal Safeguards and Taxation
As a result of many years of experience, LPA member agents are familiar with the Spanish legal system for property transactions. They always recommend that buyers instruct their own independent lawyers to protect their interests, but LPA agents can advise on contractual terms, forms of payment, transfer of funds and other matters that arise. They can also discuss the transfer taxes and which party is obligated to pay what. An agent may have suggestions regarding the formation of a Spanish company to hold the property and whether it is worthwhile to put the property right now in the name of future heirs in order to minimise Spanish death duties. Dozens of questions arise and a right answer today can save you large sums of money in the future.
