|
Post by habanero on Jul 9, 2005 7:57:03 GMT 1
Did anyone here buy property without an agency?
How much did you pay solicitor/ notary for sevices?
Is it worthwile or just a lot of hassle?
Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by jackal on Jul 9, 2005 9:00:01 GMT 1
as far as I'm aware you can do it without an agency, just approach the seller directly. Check the local papers and magazines. Incidentally some (I don't know how many) croats don't like agents.
the best way would be to find a decent solicitor and he/she will take care of it. But then that's the key isn't it...finding the right solicitor. So it can be done....I don't know anymore
cheers
|
|
|
Post by habanero on Jul 10, 2005 8:50:27 GMT 1
Yes jackal, i know it's possible. I'm trying to convince the seller, who I know, to proceed without their agency. But I'd like to be more certain if it's worth the trouble, the sellers are very afraid of paperwork, and I have no idea what it will cost to make the contracts and so on. But I guess, if you don't pay commision (2x3%), it must be cheaper than through the agency...?
Thanks for the advice anyway!
|
|
|
Post by jackal on Jul 10, 2005 8:59:40 GMT 1
all I can add is that solicitors fees are not as high as in Britain (as if anywhere could be). I think it should be about 1 per cent or 1.5 per cent. Obviously, if the seller hasn't signed a contract with an agency then you should try to persuade them. Its definitely worth it. I'm no expert though (as everyone knows!) its just what I've picked up recently from my own enquiries
|
|
|
Post by habanero on Jul 10, 2005 14:16:05 GMT 1
Hmm, what a friend in Pula, who "real-estates" a bit on the side, told me, is that i won't have to pay commission at all to the agency, if i knew the seller (and the property) already before they contacted this agency. Because they weren't the one to put me in contact with the seller. I never looked at it that way. So then it's not really in my interest anymore to avoid the agency. Might be in the sellers interest though. And I don't know if they signed anything. Will find that out tonight...
|
|
|
Post by janskov on Jul 10, 2005 19:00:55 GMT 1
You do not need an agent as long as you have a good solicitor and you are able to understand what goes on during the different stages and when visiting the notary. The solicitor’s fees could be anything between 1000 and 4000 Euro depending on how complicated it is. Sometimes there are multiple owners and difficulties in establishing legal proof of ownership. My experience is that it will most likely be about 3000 Euro and if you meet the greedy kind of lawyers that I have also experienced there is no telling how much they will try to charge you.
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Jul 11, 2005 11:08:01 GMT 1
My solicitor told me the average fee for property sales (and processing application to Ministry for permission to own) would normally be between 750 to 800 euros. Obviously, there are solicitors and solicitors!!
|
|
|
Post by janskov on Jul 11, 2005 14:09:11 GMT 1
Elaine - My estimate is total cost. I think your solicitor only quoted his own fee (even that seems cheap). Please ask him about total cost - everything included.
|
|
|
Post by EMIZZZZAGREB on Jul 11, 2005 14:43:42 GMT 1
My solicitor told me the average fee for property sales (and processing application to Ministry for permission to own) would normally be between 750 to 800 euros. Obviously, there are solicitors and solicitors!! If you find a solicitir who does it for that price, and does a good job, let us all know. I think you will find lots of hidden extras, that's the local way. I think Janskov's prices are much more likely.
|
|
EandJ
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by EandJ on Jul 11, 2005 16:07:25 GMT 1
There is no requirement to buy through an agent. And as far as I know there is no standard sole agent contract. Its just a matter of fair play.
The official price for lawyers work on buying a house is supposed to be 0.75% but this depend on how much work is involved. If there is lot of work clearing up problems or checking things properly then you should be paying more as this is a very important service.
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Jul 11, 2005 17:31:29 GMT 1
When I bought the first flat in 2001, I paid my solicitor 3000 HRK and the Notary something like 450 - my permission came through in 6 months exactly so I know he did a good job! I paid either 260 or 290 HRK for registration in Labin land book on receipt of permission. Now I've bought another flat and am selling the original one. I will pay my estate agent 3.66% of the selling price (includes PDV) and my solicitor is charging me 750 - 800 euros for checking titles, drawing up contract and processing the permission application. I may have to pay something to the Notary for the sale (and the land book entry again, of course)but nothing else at all - no hidden costs - that is it!
|
|
|
Post by habanero on Jul 12, 2005 14:33:06 GMT 1
thanks everyone. I will let you all know my experiences over the next weeks....
|
|
|
Post by habanero on Jul 18, 2005 9:07:37 GMT 1
well, one week passed with many phonecalls, but we can't persuade the seller. they feel insecure without an agency. i think they will contact their agency today. let's see what that does for the asking price...
|
|
|
Post by habanero on Jul 21, 2005 13:06:21 GMT 1
the house has been sold...to someone else. we're very disappointed and we don't understand the way they "do business" over there...was not the first time we tried to buy a house. my partner is croatian but doesn't get it either. been away for too long? makes you wonder if you want to go (and live) there at all. we were warned of course
|
|
|
Post by EMIZZZZAGREB on Jul 21, 2005 16:31:10 GMT 1
Habanero, I admire you trying it alone, I think your story shows what a shark pit Croatia is.
I personally think that basic idea behind agents is fine, it’s very similar to what I do as a business, I trade and represent companies, the problem is there are so many idiotic charlatans.
The difficulty is finding a fair and decent agent, I don’t agree with an agent that charges 6%, 2-3% from the seller is more than enough.
|
|