“There is no perfect house, but dream house for each person”. We must give this statement credibility when it comes out of the mouth ofreal estate personal client Jordi ClotetOne of the pioneers of this event in Barcelona, reaching 15,000 homes, visited and attended more. 6,000 sales processes for 30 years. He did so first as a seller, then as a buyer, in the Catalan capital, where he almost always knew his neighborhoods and residential properties very well. In essence, his job accompany, advise and assist choosing the best possible home and the lowest possible price. He works with a team of lawyers, architects and brokers, as well as looking for homes outside the usual market of major real estate portals and even taking X-rays of neighborhoods to avoid surprises. With this arsenal of experience and anecdotes, just published 7 doors to buying your home and getting it rightA nice guide of very helpful (but not only) tips and strategies for first time buyers.
Contains volume experiences of various customersLike the retired couple Manuel and Manuela, for whom he would buy his apartment for a family that rents out their services. When he was about to notarize, he faked the death of the first to abandon the operation without having to pay compensation to the buyers. This was because the couple got a higher bid from a neighbor, but eventually they saw that if they doubled down they would have to lose. On another occasion, when they were about to sign, they had to return because the gorgeous apartment for a good price was wall-to-wall with a hidden brothel that was a nightmare for previous residents. And so he adds and continues, valuing the brick stories that made him a prescriber.
These are some mistakes that should be avoided before buying.
Only buy based on market, not “micromarket” or conditions
That’s the million-dollar question on many customers’ mouths, he explains to this newspaper. “Do we have to wait for the floors to come down now?” Clotet reports that the moment of purchase is determined by “the circumstances themselves.” While it is clear that it is better to buy during the downturn (she already understands that “bargaining gets easier” now), it invites you to make decisions by analyzing other factors. If there is a clear need or trigger (raising a family, transferring a job, developing a business…) while you have to continue the lease (compared to the amount that will be amortized on the mortgage), a pre-approved mortgage is in good standing… probably a good time. If we are targeting only one micro market, for example, if we are looking for a penthouse in Vila de Gràcia where prices follow their own dynamics with very few offers, then the moment will be marked with an opportunity for availability.
Trust the real estate agent working for the seller
When his real customer is the landlord who hired him to sell his apartment for the supposedly best price, the buyer often thinks the real estate agent is providing a service. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not rely on the data it provides about the property, but check all the information. Clotet sided with the buyer when he created Nexitum years ago, following the usual pattern in the United States, where buyers search for people who represent them and save time and effort in searching. There are more and more users of these services in Barcelona, as the fees are often compensated by what the buyer saves in the end by having an adviser accustomed to negotiate advantageously.
I want to negotiate the indisputable
There are many buyers who are obsessed with bargaining because they think it’s a bad buy if they don’t. And even though there are some very high-priced apartments on the market (proof of this is in weeks without a boyfriend), you shouldn’t expect a bargain when something comes along at a price that’s right for its true value. “There are people who lose the ground of their lives because they couldn’t drop 10,000 Euros and then always regret it. Also in some cases (strategic location for the buyer, special qualities…), price has an additional emotional element to consider.
Buy impulsively and without making a prior wish list
When hired by a client, Clotet allows it to provide readers with a list of “realistic” requirements for the purchase, which it also states. You have to start seeing floors”balancing needs, wants and budgetRelying on visiting options above the odds or on the first look (a makeover or staging that hides a fundamental in-depth reform) can ruin the buyer. Rather, it suggests seeing apartments that are outrageous in appearance but lead to going beyond location or features appearances, because in some cases the ads are with mobile photos and even made with lowered shutters, it hides authentic “poorly marketed” raw treasures.
Calculate the investment visually without taking into account additional costs
The steps before buying go through an analysis of the household’s income and fixed expenses to net the maximum mortgage payment payable monthly. If it is pre-approved, you can act more quickly and safely in case of a real estate jam. However, do not overlook the transmission or VAT, notary and administrative expenses detailed in the guide, and the investments required for business or improvements, if any.
Overlook the farm or the neighbors
As important as the four walls one chooses is the farm they co-own. It is a common mistake not to look at the last minutes of the congregation, the foreseeable spills, its containment and whether it has passed the technical inspection (ITE)… Also, the type of neighborhood we will have to live in: ¿ Are there tourist apartments? Squat floors? Illegal activities? Cohabitation problems? In one case, they had to give up their purchase when they learned that there was an unstoppable cockroach infestation in commercial premises under the chosen mezzanine. To check, you should talk to the neighbors or the president. Or hire a professional.
Stay connected to major real estate portals
Jordi Clotet estimates that 80% of the offer is advertised on major portals, but the rest (with effort) can be found on secondary advertising portals or by doing fieldwork. I mean, asking questions at doors, hairdressers, neighborhood bars… “There will always be someone who knows someone who wants to sell,” he says. If the ‘where’ is so obvious, she even recommends writing a personalized letter to neighbors in case someone plans to move in. By the same token, many homes don’t go into commercial circulation because they’re already placed through contacts if they’re worth it: from agencies that don’t even advertise it, from law firms that deal in inheritance.
Overthinking or relying on verbal agreements
In general, there is no need to rush with the first floor visited (expert recommends luggage to know the offer), but if it fits the proposal, you should not think too much about it, because ” opportunities Others will benefit from them”. Likewise, verbal agreements and anything else should be refused in writing to tailor relocations to their needs, conditions or other parallel buying and selling needs for the operation.
Excessive consultation with family and friends
Second opinions may be well-intentioned, but only the buyer knows what he wants and needs. The open-kitchen, small-room apartment is definitely not an apartment her parents would bless, but there will always be a friend who sees everything as expensive, criticizes the neighborhood noise, or discourages the business, she explains. his experience. But if some rational arguments are met and the word is liked, individual decision is advised.
domination of time
Second home buyers often make the mistake of buying before they sell, and then they risk selling hastily when the time between the deposit and the deed expires. recommended connect the sale knowing exactly how much money will be found before and leaving a large margin for searching. If vice versa, the final signature should also be made more flexible. And avoid the double move by looking for a temporary flat in the stalemate between operations.
Create your own consultation “team”
Unless a ‘personal shopper’ is hired to manage the search and buying process, the specialist insists on using an architect for a final inspection, a lawyer to review contracts and terms, a financial advisor to clarify numbers and expenses and allocate time. and discipline in scheduling the search, space, features, and visits. will be for many most important expense of your lifeDon’t forget.