Author: George Rousos of Industry Training Consultants Some of the activities and practices of the real estate industry, that might be questioned in ethical terms are about the potential to distort pricing information in a market in which it is already very difficult to obtain relevant and dependable information. The pricing information is distorted because some of the conditions associated with the definition of market value have been manipulated, particularly the concept of the arm’s length transaction...
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“Location, location, location” is one of those catch phrases drummed continually into the head of anyone who even skirts close to buying real estate. From the agent to the financier to the guy driving your cab – everyone will tell you, if the site isn’t in the right position, you’re creating a rod for your own back. If you look around, however, there are plenty of properties located in the most inauspicious spot just waiting...
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Experts reveal their tips on how to increase your chances of having an offer accepted over your competitors. Homebuyers and investors should consider attaching a 10 per cent deposit cheque to a signed contract if they want to increase their chances of having their offer accepted, according to real estate author and buyers agent Patrick Bright. The EPS Property Search director and author of The Insider’s Guide to Buying Real Estate says one of the basic rules...
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OPINIONby Peter Mericka B.A., LL.BReal Estate LawyerQualified Practising Conveyancer VictoriaDirector Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd As readers know, I have been very critical over the years of the schemes and scams used by real estate agents. Obviously, it is unfair to criticise the methods used by real estate agents without suggesting some alternative, and so I am presenting what I have called the “SLOD! Best Price Negotiation Strategy”. I sell real estate for my...
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OPINIONby Peter Mericka B.A., LL.BReal Estate LawyerQualified Practising Conveyancer VictoriaDirector Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd Is it any wonder that the REIV (Real Estate Institute of Victoria) misleads, misguides and misinforms its members when its own CEO Enzo Raimondo fails to understand the role of the real estate agent in a sale transaction? In his regular propaganda piece in the Domain section of The Age newspaper, Enzo Raimondo tells consumers that when negotiating for...
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OPINIONby Peter Mericka B.A., LL.BReal Estate LawyerQualified Practising Conveyancer VictoriaDirector Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd Real estate agents have been parading about in their “negotiator” suits like the naked emporer in his invisible new clothes, trying to convince consumers of their competence in real estate negotiations. I have had enough of incompetent real estate agents’ stupid mistakes, deceptive practices and consumer indifference. I have now banned real estate agents from the negotiation stage of...
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OPINIONby Peter Mericka B.A., LL.BReal Estate LawyerQualified Practising Conveyancer VictoriaDirector Lawyers Real Estate Pty Ltd A real estate sale negotiator requires a thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations affecting real estate, drafting expertise to convert ideas into a written document that will give legal effect to the agreement reached, and the ability to recognise threats to the legality of the sale (and to be able to deal with them if they arise). Only...
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