
About: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions you might be asking yourself about Rose & Jones. Please click on the one you’re interested in to be taken to its answer. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
- What is the difference between a buyer’s agent and a selling agent?
- I live and work overseas – how can you service my needs from this distance?
- Do you have professional indemnity insurance?
- Do you ever represent the vendor?
- Lots of people buy property without a buyer’s agent. How will using Rose & Jones help me?
- How can I know I’m not paying too much for a property?
- Do you source properties for home buyers (owner occupiers) as well as investors?
- Are buyer’s agents fees tax deductible?
- If I use Rose & Jones will you guarantee to find me a property? How long will it take?
- What if I change my mind about the suburbs and/or type of property I want – will I pay more?
- What if I find the property I want to buy after I’ve engaged you?
- What if I want to cancel my search with Rose & Jones?
- Does a buyer’s agent need to have a real estate sales background?
- Isn’t this service just for overseas buyers and people with huge budgets?
- Are you a member of a professional industry association?
What is the difference between a buyer’s agent and a selling agent?
A licensed real estate buyer’s agent should work exclusively for you, the buyer.
Selling agents represent the interests of the vendor, so simply can’t give you advice in your best interests. Why would they want to lower their commission to give you a better deal?
They want to sell the property for the highest possible price; your goal is to buy it for the lowest possible price.
Selling agents get ongoing training in negotiation, reading body language and the overall sales process. So it’s important to have someone with at least as much training and experience on your side.
I live and work overseas – how can you service my needs from this distance?
We regularly assist overseas buyers and expats. We communicate via phone and email regularly, so the only difference to the process is that you may not get the chance to physically inspect the property.
We will provide you with extensive market analysis as well as digital photos of the property and its location. And all features, good and bad, will be communicated, ensuring you make an informed decision.
Do you have professional indemnity insurance?
Yes. We have professional indemnity insurance to $2 million.
Do you ever represent the vendor?
No. We never sell property or accept sales commission from vendors, developers or their agents. We work exclusively in our clients’ best interests to find a property that meets their needs.
We have no vested interest in selling property.
Lots of people buy property without a buyer’s agent. How will using Rose & Jones help me?
Knowledge is power. By engaging an experienced buyer–s agent, you can expect to be the best informed buyer on any property, and to get access to properties that haven–t been advertised – a large percentage of properties on the market are unlisted or silently listed.
Most people refer to an expert when they invest. Look at shares and managed funds, for example. Why should property be any different? The analysis, access to performance data, and negotiation expertise that a buyer’s agent can bring can have a huge impact on the success of the transaction.
Rose & Jones will research the property, and provide a sales history using industry data not generally available to the public. We’ll also perform:
- a comparative market analysis,
- trend analysis,
- rental analysis, and
- property appraisals; as well as
- develop and implement bidding strategies, and
- take the transaction through to completion
And we’ll always keep your interests top of mind.
How can I know I’m not paying too much for a property?
We thoroughly inspect each property, and discuss the advantages and issues of each shortlisted property. With this information, together with our market experience, you can be sure you’re making an educated decision, and a wise investment.
Do you source properties for home buyers (owner occupiers) as well as investors?
Yes.
Are buyer’s agents fees tax deductible?
If you are purchasing a property for investment purposes, the cost of using a buyer’s agent is generally tax deductible. Check with your accountant to see if the fee would be tax deductible in your case. Unfortunately you cannot claim the fee as a tax deduction if the property is purchased to live in.
If I use Rose & Jones will you guarantee to find me a property? How long will it take?
Yes! If we think your search brief is unachievable, we’ll let you know before you engage us.
Our usual time for a search, from appointment to exchange, is approximately 6-12 weeks. But depending on your specific requirements and market conditions, it can sometimes take longer.
What if I change my mind about the suburbs and/or type of property I want – will I pay more?
Generally, no. Rose & Jones commits to finding you a property you’re completely happy with. We understand that looking for a home or investment property is always a “work-in-progress”, and you may well want to vary some of your requirements as we go.
We will only impose an additional fee if your brief changes significantly from what we initially quoted you. For example, if you ask us to buy an investment apartment in Bondi and then decide several weeks later to buy a family home in Killara, we would requote the fee. However, if you decided to buy the investment apartment in the city instead, we may not change the fee at all.
What if I find the property I want to buy after I’ve engaged you?
It is only natural for people to keep an eye on the property market, even while we’re looking for you. If you do identify a property that we haven’t seen, then it’s likely this property is not in line with your needs analysis, or we may have already found it and shortlisted it!
However, once we are engaged to find you a property, full fees are payable, even if you find your own. From there we can still provide you with the full service, including analysis, evaluation and negotiation (as well as assistance with all related services like conveyancing and building inspections) on the property of your choosing.
With our help, you will make a more informed choice and won’t be swayed by your emotions or emotive marketing – saving you money anyway.
What if I want to cancel my search with Rose & Jones?
Our agreement with you is structured to provide for the possibility that you may want to discontinue your search for any reason. You are able to terminate the agreement at any time, and will only be liable for fees for the work we’ve done up to that point.
Rose & Jones will not initiate a cancellation (unless you are in breach), so we’ll never leave you stranded or out of pocket.
Does a buyer’s agent need to have a real estate sales background?
We believe it’s in your interest to be with a buyer’s agent with the skill-set of sales agents as well as commercial experience. It’s important to know what you’re up against!
That’s why we have both.
Over 25 years’ property and real estate experience coupled with more than 15 years’ corporate sales experience means we know how to negotiate the best price for you.
Isn’t this service just for overseas buyers and people with huge budgets?
It’s true that many of our clients live outside Sydney, and that others are looking for multi-million-dollar properties. But Rose & Jones works for all kinds of people, and the minimum budget is only determined by the price of properties in the areas we cover.
As long as you recognise the benefit of getting expert, professional input, and you value your time, you’ll see the value of having us work for you.
Are you a member of a professional industry association?
Yes. Rose & Jones is a member of the Real Estate Institute of NSW, as well as the Buyer’s Agents Chapter of the REINSW which meets regularly to advise the Institute on a range of policy matters to improve the professional standards of the industry as well as the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association (REBAA).
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