Would you pay someone else to do your home search?

duchy

On my current earnings - No I wouldn't. It wouldn't be cost effective.
I'm not the target market for these companies but if I was relocating in a high level job it's probably be time and money effective to do so (and usually paid for by the employer as part of the relocation package at that level).

The final decision would still be mine but someone else gets the estate agents calling offering viewings for totally unsuitable properties , wading through house details that don't tick all my "must haves" and I get to see and consider only suitable properties and don't waste time on unsuitable viewings.

It's a niche market but certainly a viable one. I've worked for companies in the past who have used consultants for this and it has generally worked very well. It's rare but not unknown for the purchaser to buy completely "blind" but a good consultant will arrange all viewings together so the client can swoop in view several properties and fly back out again over a weekend. Each viewing comes with lots of extra info researched and provided by the consultant -such as local schools , transport links, availability of facilities important to the client etc.

moneyistooshorttomention

Davesnave wrote: »

So you don't analyse the housing market or do any kind of research?

Of course you do!

Bearing in mind your other posts, I'd say you do more analysing than most.

You is quite right my lad - I do indeed....:rotfl::T

...and then do one or two quick adjustments to my place according to the temperament/tastes of each specific buyer before they come round:rotfl:. By now my EA and I have a very jokey repartee going on between us re "after the event" tales as the viewers come round...

Today's conversation between EA and myself was to the effect of exactly what "added value" a buyer could get on my place if they wish to - and how they would achieve that...and I'm doing my homework checking out the answers to a couple of "possible added value" questions...

tim123456789

BritAbroad wrote: »

I've used similar services and I am none of the above!

I suspect this is aimed at people moving from overseas. When we moved over to the US we got relocation agents and realtors as part of our move,

Buyer's agents are normal in the US.

In some states it is mandatory for the seller to pick up their fees so, guess what, evey buyer has one and the fees are non-negotiable.

tim

BritAbroad

tim123456789 wrote: »

Buyer's agents are normal in the US.

In some states it is mandatory for the seller to pick up their fees so, guess what, evey buyer has one and the fees are non-negotiable.

tim

This is true, and it is certainly more usual for both buyer and seller to have an agent in my state. My point was that the realtor and the relocation agents provided services very similar to the home finder being discussed, and having used both I can see the benefit for some people.

The_Earl_of_Streatham

lessonlearned wrote: »

Phil Spencer is a relocation specialist/property searcher!!

His company works for the purchaser not the vendor.

His company also went bust owing half a million

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1169915/Location-Location-Location-star-Phil-Spencers-property-firm-went-bust-owing-500-000.html.