Most estate agents work for the seller, but some buyers prefer to have someone working specifically for them. We look at how a Property Finding Service works on the Costa del Sol, what it can offer and whether you actually need one.
Who is working for me when I buy a Costa del Sol property?
Why some Costa del Sol buyers choose to have an estate agent working specifically for them
When you contact an estate agent about a property for sale, it is worth remembering that the seller is normally their client. The agent has been instructed by the owner to market and sell the property.
There is nothing unusual or wrong about that. It is simply how conventional estate agency works, and thousands of people successfully buy properties on the Costa del Sol that way every year.
But some buyers ask a slightly different question: can I have somebody working specifically for me?
The answer is yes.
A different way of searching for property
A dedicated Property Finding Service changes the relationship. Instead of simply contacting different agents as and when you find properties that interest you, you appoint somebody to work with you throughout your search. Their job is to understand what you are actually looking for, search and filter the available properties and then discuss the advantages and disadvantages with you. Sometimes they will simply tell you when they think a property isn't worth your time. That can be particularly useful when you are searching from another country or don't know the different areas of the Costa del Sol particularly well.
For example, imagine that you have always thought you wanted a villa with a private pool. Once we understand how you intend to use the property, we might discover that you will only be here for a few weeks at a time and don't particularly want the maintenance and responsibility that come with it.
Our job isn't to talk you out of buying the villa. It is simply to ask whether a lock-up-and-leave apartment might actually suit you better.
You may still choose the villa or end up looking at townhouses as an option, but at least you will have considered the question before you buy.
Does that mean I can only buy properties from that agent?
Not at all. In fact, that would defeat the purpose. The goal is to give you access to the whole of the Costa del Sol market, whether or not a property is for sale through an estate agent.
A property finder should be able to consider all suitable properties across the market, whether they are being sold directly by their own agency, through another estate agent or as a private sale where there is no commission available from the vendor.
For that relationship to work properly, the financial arrangement needs to be clear from the beginning so that the property finder is working on a level playing field and is not better rewarded for recommending one property over another.
Do I actually need a property finding service?
The honest answer is probably not. Most buyers will continue to find their property by searching online, contacting estate agents and arranging viewings themselves, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that.
However, some people will prefer having one person working solely for them, who understands what they are trying to achieve and is specifically working on their side of the search.
We have recently redefined our own Property Finding Service for buyers on the Costa del Sol, including how the relationship works, how we are paid and what happens if you don't ultimately buy a property.
If you're considering whether this approach might suit you, you can read the full explanation on our Property Finding Service page or call us on (0034) 952 90 52 00, WhatsApp us, or email info@michael-moon.com.
If you would prefer to do your own property search, you can start looking here.
