An experienced LPG 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. This only serves to waste everybody’s time. In contrast, an experienced real estate agent will act as a filter, taking time to define the exact needs of each buyer and their means before going to inspect properties. No matter how many potential buyers are dreaming of a property in Spain, only an experienced agent who knows the area “like the back of his hand” will know how to reduce a large number of potential buyers to a few serious buyers who are really interested in buying property and have the means to do so.

Preparing the sale documentation

The agent who is a member of LPG will explain how to make the necessary preparations to sell your home at the earliest opportunity and under the best conditions. We encourage you to develop “a seller’s dossier,” which will bring together all the documents that a potential buyer may wish to inspect before committing to purchase the property. This documentation includes the title deed (escritura), the IBI receipts (local rates & taxes), community fees, utility bills, etc. The mere fact of having all documentation available to hand out to the buyer inspires confidence in the knowledge that the operation will be conducted safely and speed up the process of negotiating the sale.

If you are unfamiliar with the procedure of purchasing a property in Spain, please read our Buyer’s Guide.

Only serious buyers

Because each LPG member will spend time in advance to evaluate what a potential buyer is seeking and to establish their economic means, the seller can be assured that only serious buyers will visit their home, which will result in saving time and presenting fewer problems. Many buyers turn to LPG agents because they know their reputation for providing personalized customer service and quality products. Also, LPG members have access to potential buyers far more extensive in numbers than any one agency alone can ever provide.

Face-to-Face Networking

LPG 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 LPG member agencies whom he trusts because of their long association. The LPG 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 home. This desire, especially in the recent boom times, leads some sellers to set their asking prices unrealistically high. An LPG member 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 LPG agent can actually save money for the buyer.

Code of Ethics

LPG members carry out their work under a code of ethics that ensure real estate transactions are fair and honest. LPG members have earned their reputations over many years, earning the trust of both sellers and buyers. They are aware that the buyer of today is the seller of tomorrow and will return to do business only if the customer was satisfied with their services. Professionalism coupled with good business ethics ensures sustained growth in the long term.

Closing the deal

The fact that LPG members usually know the vendors personally and have the chance to get to know their properties over the years is an important factor in the negotiations and final closing of a real estate transaction. Many things can go wrong when buying real estate, but the experienced professional is often able to detect traps and bring the operation to a successful conclusion for both parties.

Legal Safeguards and Taxation

Due to many years of professional experience, LPG members are familiar with the legal system governing property transactions in Spain. The widespread belief that the buyer will always need a lawyer, but the seller doesn’t, involves a number of risks for the seller. Therefore, LPG members will always recommend to sellers that they have their own lawyers, who are independent professionals who will protect their interests. However, LPG members are trained to advise clients on contractual terms, payments, transfer of funds and any other matters relating to the sale. They can also address the issue of transfer taxes and indicate and explain which expenses correspond to each party in respect to the sale. An experienced agent will make suggestions to minimize capital gains taxes payable in Spain, applicable to all property transactions. Dozens of questions arise in connection with a sale and a correct and quick response will save large sums of money in the future.