Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Property For Sale in Calis Beach & Turkey => Buying Property in Calis Beach, Fethiye and Turkey => Topic started by: rpg9000 on September 30, 2010, 12:16:44 PM
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OK, new member here, and here's my starter for ten.
I did a search and am frankly amazed that this particular question only seems to have come up once before - it was in the wrong section, which may be why it didn't get a reply.
In the UK, we generally pay agents between 1 & 2% in selling commission - and many consider that money for old rope. However, they do at least have far more sophisticated web-sites than those in "our" area - some even have virtual tours and many have detailed floor plans.
My understanding is that Calis/Fethiye etc. agents charge 6% - 3% each from both the seller and the buyer.
Is this correct? How do they justify it? Why do you pay it? No wonder that they're belly-aching that some people are selling their properties on a direct FSBO basis.
I'm hoping to buy a villa in Calis at some point in the future, and the thought of paying a buyer's fee of 3,000 quid to an agent is galling to say the least!
Is this another example of the British mentality of being meekly grateful while we're being screwed?
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Friends here in the UK were discussing with us property in Turkey and fees compared to the UK. unfortunately our villa was not for them, but they questioned should they find a property with an agent but opt to purchase through a solicitor in Turkey would they still have to pay the agent and the solicitor, or just the solicitor as the agent would not be doing the work, thereby the agent would earn their commission through the seller.
I couldn't answer this,can members on here answer this one?
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Ok :D
Easiest way to explain is this. In the UK you will have problems after you have bought. Especially with new builds. You will never dream of phoning the estate agent you bought through about a broken downpipe, you would phone the builder. You won't be phoning the estate agent you bought from six months later because a strange man with a clipboard is standing on your doorstep and you won't want the estate agent you bought from to come with you to help get a tax number or open a bank account.
Due to language and bureaucratic complexities, the relationship between buyer and agent is one that generally is necessary for years after the property purchase, and is required for many, many things - a large proportion entirely unrelated to property in any way. Now tell me, how many times did you contact the agent you bought your current house through in the UK, since the day you got the keys?
I'll make a deal with you and anyone. I won't charge you a penny commission, as is the way in the UK, if you agree never to contact us again once you have your title deed and habitation certificate - there you go, the UK system for you :D
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quote:
Originally posted by loz
Friends here in the UK were discussing with us property in Turkey and fees compared to the UK. unfortunately our villa was not for them, but they questioned should they find a property with an agent but opt to purchase through a solicitor in Turkey would they still have to pay the agent and the solicitor, or just the solicitor as the agent would not be doing the work, thereby the agent would earn their commission through the seller.
I couldn't answer this,can members on here answer this one?
Agents put people who want to buy things in front of things they want to buy. If your friend found your property and/or you themselves and decided to buy it using a solicitor, of course there is no need to pay an agent.
But agents (not just for property) who clients use to find ideal properties for people who are unable to find them for themselves are providing a service - why would someone think they can have their knowledge for free?
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I know some people who bought directly from seller, and were proud of not paying comission to agents. Or should I say used to be proud of ? :)
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Mr Scunner - as you probably guessed, my post was pretty much directed at you, although it was not a criticism - I simply asked a series of genuine questions that I'm sure many intelligent people would like answers to. I am not as sychophantic as many of the people on here and, although I try to choose my words carefully (and attempt to spell and punctuate them correctly) if I offend your sensibilities, then so be it!
So, it seems to me that what you are saying is that the extra 4-5% is for services above and beyond what would be considered in the UK as the call of duty for an estate agent? I imagine that you are an honourable (albeit stern) man Mr Scunner, and that you would indeed continue to hold your customer's hands long after completion, but does this apply to all agents? Is there any actual legal obligation for them to do so? Does the extra 4-5% mean that I don't have to bother with a legal representative or a building surveyor because my agent will sort it all out for me?
Having said that, if you (loz) do use the services of an agent to find/view properties, then it is unethical (and probably illegal) to then go and make a deal directly with the seller. Whether or not you use a solicitor has nothing to do with it.
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Not offended at all Mr. rpg Sir. I'm sorry if I gave that impression, I call it passion :D
I am not saying there is an extra 4-5% for any services, what I am saying is that a good estate agent will work longer and harder for their fee than a UK one :) Does it apply to all agents? Not for me to say. As with everything in life, there is no obligation to use anyone for any service. My experience is estate agency and Calis Beach Forum, the latter being peppered with stories from people who chose not to use an agent and now are paying way more than 3% for any variety of reasons.
Ultimately you must choose your own route. Some are more dangerous than others, that is a fact with buying abroad.
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Understood, and thank you!
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p.s. I've never thought of myself as 'stern' :D
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Personally we paid 3%, tried to get the agent to split it, which i was informed was the legal approach but ended up paying 3% what was no hardship.
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I think you got me wrong, I was not advocating viewing properties with an agent then contacting the seller privately.
The question I was asked;
view properties (like the UK) inform the agent yes I wish to purchase this is the name of my solicitor, agent tells vendor of sale and his commission is taken from the vendor.
We are selling our Turkish home, With Cenk (Interturk, to name but a few) I also actively advertise privately, however, when I get someone who wishes to view I contact the agent and introduce the person who wishes to view/buy they will then become that agents client, If that viewer does not wish to purchase my home but buys another from that agent, sobeit.
I WILL BE PAYING MY COMMISSION, I no longer reside in Turkey therefore this is not now practical option to advertise "FSBO no commission" and I will be leaving everything in the hands of the agent.
ps.
I really can't be arsed about legalities in Turkey, now theres another question, do they exist, land of the genuine fake" [?]
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I can't answer your question Loz. I can't even see where the question is :D
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I refer you to my email.........
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And I refer you to my :D
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Since I have been in Turkey and that is over 20 years, (I lost count after that... maybe 2 or 3 more) it has always been the case that Agents charge at both ends, either for buying or renting. When you go to an agent here, you are using their expertise and local knowledge and that as a buyer is what you pay for and if you get the right agent invaluable. As a seller you pay for the marketing of a property. It doesn't matter if you are Turkish or a Foreigner you pay the 3% at both ends. Or you do where I work!!
As Scunner says, the Agent in Turkey does all the conveyance work, negating the need for a Solicitor, however if a buyer feels they need a Solicitor then we as agents are usually happy to work with them. At our company before we advertise the property, we do a preliminary search, make sure it is unemcumbered and in an area where a Foreign person can buy, and if not we advertise the fact.
After the offer is accepted on a property, we draw up contracts, take buyers to the Notary and help with Tax numbers and Bank accounts. After the sale, we then get the utilities transferred and also if the client needs help with small things we are there, so I think that is worth paying for.
As Scunner says, agents are there for the customer for years to come, most of our customers go on to do Maintenance contracts with us and as is happening more now, we are selling properties for people who were once buyers with us.
If you had told me 20 years ago I would be an estate agent, I would have laughed my bits off, however here in Turkey I have it in the most part a rewarding job.
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"I did it without an estate agent and saved a lot of money"
{A Link to an old CBF topic was here - no longer available}29789
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quote:
Originally posted by Scunner
I can't answer your question Loz. I can't even see where the question is :D
Please don't shoot the messenger!
The question asked of me was;
See a property go to view (at this stage the agent is working for the vendor) the viewer decides "yes" I wish to purchase, here is the details of my solicitor.
End of contact with agent, solicitor is now doing all the work.
What is the answer? does the agent still expect commission from the buyer?
Yes I know before you all go off on one again, the solicitor is doing all the work the agent would have done. Members of the forum have often posted "Get a lawyer, you wouldn't purchase in the UK without one"
Now the question here is;
You pay the lawyer the fees for purchase, and do they then say "By the way you owe me an extra 3% on top my legal fees".
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If an agent showed you the property initially then you pay their fee. If you prefer to also use a solicitor you pay their fee too.
Simples :D
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quote:
See a property go to view (at this stage the agent is working for the vendor)
I think this is where you go off the rails - the (same) agent works for both the seller and the buyer in Turkey. That's just the way it is!
I'm sure someone with more knowledge will correct me if I'm wrong, in which case I'll go away and sulk for a day or so........
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Yes, that is correct. We sell for sellers who want to sell to buyers who want to buy. A service to all :)
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I have given up on this one, got emails now from "anon" agents with conflicting info.
After all those years in Turkey I am still amazed (or shouldn't be) in not getting the same answers.
I will pass all this info on and tell friends if they want to buy sort it themselves.
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Scanned this thread and have a simple answer really.
In Turkey the general rule with regard to Estate Agents is 3% from the vendor 3% from the buyer. This is standard, this is not something that is practised in this area only it applies to Turkish buyers too.
With regard to private sales, if you have been introduced to a property via an agent, you are expected to pay a fee, if you see a property in an advert directly from the vendor, make an appointment direct with the vendor, then no fee is applicable.
Also, having worked in the UK for many years within Estate Agency, we used to charge 2% sole agency and 3% multi agency. I know that nowadays there is more leeway in the agency fees, but, as a general rule the property prices in the UK are much higher than here.
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Stern you Keith never. Some of know a very different side to you. mind you I am a "moron"!! xx
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quote:
...........but, as a general rule the property prices in the UK are much higher than here.
You were doing really well up to this point Harmless, but that statement is a complete red herring; property prices are higher in the UK, but so is the rest of the cost of living.
loz - I sympathise as you're only trying to help a friend. It is an alien system in Turkey, and I prefer the UK system of agent + solicitor + surveyor each acting in their own area of expertise with no conflicts of interest. However, that's the way it is, and if you want to buy property in Turkey you either do it their way or you take your chances.
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Highlander[?]
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Sorry - brain fade.
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When UK property prices were rapidly rising, the agents were more inclined to work for less than the more standard 2 or 3%, mainly because the market at these times is generally more competitive and they would have really needed new properties to offer.
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It's just the way it has always been - just as in Spain where it's accepted that you pay part of your money for the property in cash as a backhander to avoid tax. Some get away with it and some don't.
As you say - the options are either pay it or take your chance and buy direct.
I know what I would do.
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quote:
I know what I would do.
.....and so do I, but I'm not telling, so there!
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I am with scunner, if you get a good agent in Turkey you are onto a winner, and Scunner I am sure was one of them. But we are here to earn money, so expect to pay for our expertise. If you buy from an international agent such as Ocean estates Mcanthony, you will pay at least 10% over the market price, cos thats the minimum commission these companies charge, If you find a good local person, you will get charged, but they will be there for you and sort your sale out ASAP
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rpg....if your thinking of buying in Turkey listen to Harmless.its actually very simple and straight forward process and the benchmark is 3% from both sides.Yes you are hopefully paying for someones expertise.There are a few good ones out there and you will get value as its been said by scunner long time after your purchase if they are worth their salt.
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The way I'm selling is I told agent the price I want/minium I would accept in my hand after all fees, legal, tax etc. that way I hope and I only have hope is that the agent doesn't screw up. as until I see the cash the tapu remains in my hand. As infortunatly read on this site so many tales of people being robbed.