Trust part of sale system

Behind New Zealand's property market  are a number of dangers the public must watch out for to protect their investments, according to Bryan Thomson, CEO of Harcourts New Zealand. 

Thomson said:  "Property is often the biggest financial decision made during an individual or family's lifetime. Should you be contemplating or planning the sale of your property this year, the best chance of success will depend on the selection of the company and sales consultant to handle your sale which is where the danger lurks for inexperienced sellers".


"Buoyant conditions over recent years had seen too many sellers judging success based on the speed of sale and the fee level charged by the company they selected.  To the inexperienced a quick sale at a figure they wanted may seem a great result, but my question is, what if it wasn't? What if the only reason it sold quickly was because price expectation was lower than what the buyer would have paid?" 

With property sellers  facing a different market and different issue than those who sold last year, Thomson emphasises that to avoid the danger of a quick, cheap sale of your biggest asset, don't select a real estate company based on commission rates alone. 

"Know the value and level of service you will be receiving. Companies with a long history of proven success invest in their clients by investing in their people with intensive and ongoing professional development programmes," he said.  Thomson went on to say that the public today were increasingly time-poor and expected better tools and services from any industry profession to satisfy their requirements.

He says the best way to select a real estate company and consultant was through recommendations from trusted friends and associates.