AdvicesBez obzira na sposobnost i agilnost agenta,na kupcu je također da se dobro informira iispita sve što je moguće / Notwithstandingthe agent’s capability and activity, the buyershould be well informed, tooFirst Real Estate PurchasIt could be quite a challenge to find and buy a real estate and choosing a good real estateagency which would mediate in the purchase could be the key element for smartand successful purchaseWritten by: Aleksandar Vrtariæ Photo: <strong>DalCasa</strong> archivePurchasing a real estate is not an easy task. Thosewho decide to buy a home, that is, to purchasetheir first real estate, the search and the right decisioncould prove to be a great challenge.The majority of buyers mostly relies on their aestheticalpreferences and chooses the property according to theirtaste and imagination. So, the decision to purchase aproperty comes first, then comes the idea of how it shouldlook like, where it should be, how big it should be and, ofcourse, how much money one is ready to spend.What makes the strongest impression at first sight is avisual image of the property, but still an attention shouldbe paid to numerous other elements, which are necessaryfor first property purchase. When the decision to buythe property has been made, the second step would beto find a real estate agency, which will mediate in thepurchase of the property; the right agency could be thekey element for smart and successful purchase.Choice of AgencyNewspapers and web pages are filled with advertise-40ments for various real estate agencies, which do not makethe search for a good agency any easier. Although it isstrictly a business relationship, an assisting agency mustbe efficient, honest, kind and complaisant while its agentmust be active, capable and trustworthy.So, how to choose the agent and be sure that he willmeet all your conditions? The agent’s job is not to convincethe buyer that the offered property is the rightone, but, quite the opposite, his primary task is to listento the buyer’s wishes and conditions and to act accordingly,while the task of the agency is to ensure whateveris legally or administratively needed that would satisfyboth the buyer and the seller.Furthermore, the agency’s job is to check whether acertain property has some easements, is it properly registeredin the land register, how is the building maintenancesolved and is the property insured. Of course, itis the buyer’s task to ask all that from the agency if onewants to get the best service for the money he or she ispaying. Of course, if the agency is professional it will performall needed administrative work including even the
transfer of monthly bills, repurchases and similar.An agent must be communicative and responsible, butalways fully aware that he or she represents the buyer.On the other hand, the buyer should approach the agentas a worker who needs to perform the task he is paid for.In short, an agent that does not ask questions on behalfof the buyer and which does not collect property informationfrom the seller, which is ready to hide things fromthe buyer or not to warn him or her about some propertyfaults – is a bad agent.This is why the buyers have a great responsibility to choosethe agency and the agent, so it’s up to you to examineeverything thoroughly prior to signing the contract withthe agency. Many buyers are afraid of exclusive contractsand many do not understand what such contractsoffer or guarantee. Agencies which operate on basis ofexclusive contracts are very good because they guaranteefast and successful service, which could be a greatadvantage.Which Property to Purchase?Well, after the agency has been chosen, the real searchfor property can begin. In fact, purchasing a propertyshould not last too long. One who clearly knows whathe or she wants, will soon find it, because the real estatemarket is wide and rich and new offers come in regularlyso the search should not be long and complicated.Notwithstanding the agent’s capability and activity, thebuyer should be well informed, too. There are many thingswhich many people consider insignificant, do not understandor for some reason forget to ask. Besides aesthetics,technicalities and architectural and legal issues, thereare some “trifles” which are essential. It is clear that whenmoving into a property the buyer will reside in it, so it isdesirable to make everything is as it should be. Let mepoint some things out.Apartments are being built progressively and every daysome new apartment building arises. Still, such buildingsalso carry big problems with them. Regardless whetherone is dealing with housing or apartment building, oneshould find information about maintenance and safetyof the building.Just imagine any serious roof, façade or pluming systemdamage because if the maintenance is not adequatelysolved the residents have to pay the damagefrom their own pockets. Repairing roof damage cancost up to 100,000 kuna, which is not a small amountof money at all.The second very important thing is water and electricpower consumption meters, which one mustn’t omit.Do ask how this is solved in your building. Namely, allmeters should be separated so that each apartmentowner has its own meter assigned to his or her name.Avoid control meters at any cost!The reason is very simple. Control meters show consumption,but the main meter is assigned to one person.If only one resident does not pay his or her bill ontime, the entire building could be cut off of electricpower or water supply. So, be cautious when it comesto meters.Finalizing the PurchaseIf all conditions are satisfied and the buyer has decidedto buy the property, the agency will collect all neededdocuments to prove that ownership is regularly registeredand that the property has no easements. Everyagency must hire a lawyer, who will guarantee thatthe papers are correct and that the sales contract isready to be made.Even in this part of property transaction the buyer isthe one that makes the conditions. The sales contractshould be made so that both sides, the buyer and theseller, agree on terms and conditions of the contract.All verbal agreements must be stated in the contract,and if the seller has bound himself by some given promisesrelevant to the property, it should be stated in thewritten contract. When the contract is made, one mustread it thoroughly and freely ask questions wheneversomething seems ambiguous. After signing the contract,the agency is obliged to get all paperwork doneas quickly as possible; do not forget that those who arebuying a property for the first time do not have to paycompulsory taxes. And, of course, good luck with yourfirst purchase!41