How to choose the right Real Estate Agent in Sotogrande, Spain?
If you search our web page noll-sotogrande.com under the tab About Us is a section called Our Pledge. This is there not because we like the words, but because Stephanie and I truly believe it is what our clients most value and expect from the company that is selling their property or assisting in acquiring a home should be doing.
Being responsive, constantly communicating, fully understanding Sotogrande our core area, having real estate sector knowledge, and having a top reputation are the key factors we work hard at maintaining.
I have lived in many different countries, and I know from first-hand experience that, buying and selling a house and moving home takes a good month out of your life. It is a very stressful and emotional experience for all the family. Possibly buying a holiday home should be less stressful, but it is still a big investment, and for most foreigners a transaction that will take place in a different language and under different rules than those back home, wherever that may be.
In Sotogrande we have over the years sold many homes. We have sold properties in the millions of euros, as well as small plots and apartments. We have surprisingly sold villas at the full asking price, but also not managed to sell a property we thought would sell very quickly. Real estate sales are just very unpredictable. There are so many outside factors that can influence a sale, from macroeconomics such as Brexit politics, to the weather, where a viewing on a cloudy day does not present a property at its best, and an applicant has to imagine the wonderful sea view advertised. It is impossible to predict everything that could go wrong.
With all this unpredictability, having a professional real estate agent is a good counter balance, but how would you choose an agent in Sotogrande, Marbella or Spain? We believe there are few key qualities in an agent that could make the difference between having a smooth experience to one which is highly stressed and disappointing.
Four pillars for finding the right Real Estate Agent in Sotogrande, Spain.
1) Communication and Responsiveness
This is key. How a client and the agent communicate will set out the relationship. Trust is built on actions and talking, calling, emailing and providing feedback and updates is the best way to achieve this. We believe communication is not about sending messages; it is about ensuring massages are received and understood. Language is also key. Although we are in Spain, we have clients who may wish to communicate in French, German or English as well as Spanish. We will make sure we understand your needs by actively listening. Being responsive has added to our reputation in a very positive manner. We follow up on all aspects of the transaction.
2) Excellent reputation
We are fortunate to have an excellent reputation, which has earned us many referrals. Reputation takes years to build. Ours is based not only client satisfaction, but on participation and involvement in the community. We have a robust network of contacts, which helps us help clients, and add value.
3) Specialty/expertise
Understanding the local market well is key to providing top advice. We are specialist in Sotogrande with many years’ experience in the area. We live in the urbanisation an do not focus on the entire Costa del Sol. We understand Sotogrande history, where it came from, and where it is going in its current development.
4) Industry knowledge and trends
We are up to date with real estate industry trends and how these affect the Sotogrande market in particular. Be it pricing, valuations for listings, legal or tax matters, sales trends, marketing practice, or information technology, we are in the know.
All the above add up to having a good rapport or partnership between the agency and client. There are always ups and downs along the journey to purchase your new home and having a positive relationship which is honest will help get us across the line.
Finally, there is the unquantifiable factor called chemistry. This is very hard to define but we measure it by the number of friends we make every day in the course of business. We are glad to say most days we make new friends!!!
Thank you for reading, Charles Gubbins.
