THREE SERIOUS MISTAKES PROPERTY BUYERS AND OWNERS SHOULD AVOID

Buying or selling a property is one of the most important financial decisions a person can make. Unfortunately, many decisions are influenced by biased opinions, attractive locations or the agent offering the lowest commission.

🔎 MISTAKE 1: ASKING A COMPETING AGENT ABOUT ANOTHER AGENT’S REPUTATION

A competing agent has a clear commercial interest in presenting themselves as the better choice. Their opinion may not always be objective, even when it sounds polite or professional.

An agent should be evaluated according to:

✅ Legal registration and licensing
✅ Transparency and honest communication
✅ Knowledge of the local market
✅ Cooperation with qualified lawyers and engineers
✅ Respect for the client’s needs and budget
✅ Professional conduct without pressure or unrealistic promises

An agent’s credibility should be judged by their actions, legality, knowledge and quality of service—not by the opinion of a competitor.

🏠 MISTAKE 2: SIGNING A SOLE AGENCY WITHOUT EXAMINING THE SALES STRATEGY

A sole agency agreement can work well when the appointed agency has a strong network, an effective marketing plan and actively cooperates with other licensed professionals.

With the wrong agency, however, the property may be restricted to one office, one database and a limited number of potential buyers.

Before signing, owners should ask:

✅ Where the property will be advertised
✅ What the marketing strategy includes
✅ Whether the agency cooperates with other licensed agents
✅ How buyers will be qualified
✅ How often updates will be provided
✅ How long the agreement will remain in force
✅ What services are included in the commission

📍 MISTAKE 3: CHOOSING A PROPERTY ONLY BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION

The perfect location does not automatically make a property the right investment.

A property may offer an excellent address, beautiful views or proximity to the sea, but the developer, construction company or seller may not be the right party to deal with.

Buyers should also examine:

✅ The reputation and financial reliability of the developer or seller
✅ The quality of previous projects
✅ Planning and building permits
✅ Construction specifications
✅ Contractual terms and payment schedules
✅ Mortgages, charges or other legal issues
✅ Completion guarantees and after-sales service
✅ Whether every promise is included in writing

A beautiful location cannot compensate for poor construction, unclear agreements, delays, legal complications or an unreliable seller.

💶 THE LOWEST COMMISSION IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST DEAL

Choosing an agent simply because they offer the lowest commission can become a costly mistake.

A professional agent invests in presentation, photography, advertising, communication, viewings, cooperation and negotiation. The difference in commission may be considerably smaller than the financial loss caused by incorrect pricing, limited exposure or poor negotiation.

⚠️ BE CAREFUL WITH UNREGISTERED AND COMMISSION-DRIVEN INDIVIDUALS

Too many people in the property market—both registered and unregistered—focus mainly on securing their commission rather than protecting the client.

A responsible professional must be prepared to advise a client not to proceed when a property, developer, seller or transaction presents serious concerns, even when this means losing the commission.

Before appointing someone, verify their legal status, professional experience and working methods.

Choosing a property or an agent should never be based only on rumours, personal rivalries, an attractive location or the lowest commission.

It should be based on legality, transparency, experience, proper investigation and a clear strategy that protects the client’s interests.