The new nationwide service brings a buyers agent service to the mainstream market.
Buyers Edge which is similar to Buyers Agent services used widely by homebuyers in the US and Australia is launched today and means that every homebuyer can have an expert working on their behalf.
You don't have to be rich to be busy
The APFBA are working with it's members to promote buyer representation for everyone in the UK, including First Time Buyers. This is in line with the Buyers Representation Initiative launched by the APFBA earlier this year which set out to develop a Buyers Agent service to be available nationwide for everyone, at any level of house value they plan to purchase. “At Buyers Edge we believe that everyone buying a property should reap the benefits of a buyers agent working for them and representing their best interests.” Says CEO, Tim Hammond. “That's why we have developed this revolutionary new business model that enables every homebuyer to use a buyers agent.”
Homebuyers can ‘get the Buyers Edge’
The service has been branded to promote the fact that the Buyers Agent is working for the buyer to give them ‘the edge’ over the property seller. By having an expert working for the buyer they can negotiate with their ‘heads and not their hearts’ when dealing with the estate agent.
Consumers are often emotionally attached to the property when they place their offer, worried that they may lose their dream home. Estate agents are also in the driving seat on negotiations as they sell houses for a living. Buyers Edge provides the professional representation that Homebuyers need. “You wouldn't fight a legal battle without a lawyer so why should you look to negotiate on your property purchase without a 'buyers agent' when the vendor has their own 'sellers agent'?” Says Hammond
So why launch Buyers Edge, now?
For years, the Estate Agency industry has operated to suit the needs of people who had a property to sell, this is set to change with the launch of the Buyers Edge service. Property sellers have estate agents working for them so why don't buyers have buyers agents? What we have done by launching Buyers Edge is to make Buyer representation available for every homebuyer in the UK irrespective of the value of the property or area they are buying in.
Hammond knows a thing or two about Buyers Agents. He is the Chief Executive of the Association of Property Finders and Buyers Agents (APFBA) which has a membership of over 80 Buyers Agents across the UK that adhere to a strict code of practice to safeguard homebuyers. Buyers Edge was setup as part of the APFBA’s ‘Buyer Representation Initiative’ whose aims are to provide affordable professional representation to homebuyers throughout the UK as is already available in the US, Australia and other countries.
How does it work?
If you have seen property programs on TV then you may be familiar with how buyers agents or property finders work. They can help you throughout the entire property purchase process in order to save you time, money and hassle. They can evaluate the property to advise the right offer to put in and then negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible price.
The new way to buy property
Firstly you choose the area on the map where you want to live, and then you select a Buyers Edge agent to work for you. Buyers Edge Agents are all members of the APFBA, are located throughout the UK and have an expert knowledge of property in the area you are looking. The service is then designed to meet your exact requirements and negotiate the lowest price for the property that you want to buy.
The Buyers Edge Guarantee
All Buyers Edge Agents work exclusively for the buyer and are not paid anything by the vendor or vendor's agent, so you can be assured there are absolutely no conflicts of interest. All Buyers Edge agents adhere to the APFBA's strict industry code of practice.
Buyers Edge agents are fully incentivised to save homebuyers money
Homebuyers can have their own professional Buyers Edge agent working for them and don't pay them anything else unless they save them money on their property purchase. In this way Buyers Edge are fully incentivised to negotiate the lowest possible price for their clients. Homebuyers will pay a fee only if the company negotiates a discount on a property that a client wants to purchase. Buyers Edge will then charge either 1.5 per cent of the purchase price or 15 per cent of the saving on the asking price, whichever is greater.
Find out more about Buyers Edge and speak to your local Buyers Edge agent here