Apartment hunter, real estate agency: what is the difference (s)?
Are you looking for an apartment? Who should you refer to? In the city of Paris alone, there are around 2,000 real estate agencies, each offering its own apartments for sale. Finding an apartment can become a real headache. In order not to waste time on unnecessary visits, calling on a real estate hunter is a solution.
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
Olivier was able to help us find the right property for us. He listened to us and was full of suggestions. His advice was invaluable at every stage of our search and right up to the negotiation of the property. A big thank you!
I embarked on the adventure of a first Parisian acquisition following an inheritance and in a context where the market was rather sluggish. I can only thank Olivier Lebé, who guided me for several months to refine my project until the acquisition of a very beautiful apartment in the 19th arrondissement. His ability to listen, his attentive support, his perfect knowledge of the real estate market and the neighborhood allowed me to embark on this first purchase with complete peace of mind. Excellent service is an investment, but peace of mind is well worth the price!
A big thank you to Patrick for his professionalism and efficiency! Thanks to his ability to listen and his perfect knowledge of the market, he was able to find the ideal property. Tailor-made support, sound advice and exemplary responsiveness. I highly recommend his services!
