APFBA

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

By choosing a APFBA member, buyers can be confident they are dealing with an experienced and professional property finder or buyers’ agent.

A buyers’ agent will:

• Evaluate the specific needs and wants of the buyer and locate properties that fit those specifications.
• Assist the buyer in determining the amount that they can afford and show appropriate properties in that price bracket.
• Assist in viewing properties – accompanying the buyer on the showings, or previewing properties on behalf of the buyer to ensure their specifications are met.
• Research the specific properties to identify any problems or issues to help the buyer make an informed decision prior to submitting an offer to purchase the property.
• Advise the buyer on structuring an appropriate offer to purchase the selected property.
• Present the offer to the seller’s agent and/or the seller on the buyer’s behalf. Negotiate on behalf of the buyer to help obtain the specified property, keeping the buyer’s interest in mind.
• Obtain the property at the best possible price, often securing greater discounts than if you didn't use a buyer's agent.
• Some buyers agents can even bid at auction on behalf of the buyer.

Find me a Buyers Agent now for my UK or Overseas Property Search

A professional buyers’ agent can provide you with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about the value of a property without all of the sales “hype” often generated by estate agents and their glossy brochures.

Use our buyer's enquiry form. 

Whether your dream home is brand new house or an existing home, you will want to know what to look for as you begin your home search.

You will need a checklist for buying a home to serve as your roadmap with criteria for buying a home.

Check out the list below and how your buyers agent will help you conduct a home search, negotiate and complete on a new home. An exclusive's buyer agent can help you with the process of buying your new home while representing your best interests throughout the purchase process.

Use our home buyer checklist below to plan ahead and to stay on track:

1. Get pre-approved for a mortgage and shop for the best rates.
2. Determine your wants and needs - Style of home, size, price, location.
3. Seek out a buyer's agent - Compare the services of different agents and look for good personal chemistry.
4. Search for homes - Sign up for daily email notification services and stay on top of all new properties coming on to market.
5. Check out locations, schools and amenities - Rely on your buyer's agent's expertise and in-company resources.
6. Do the due diligence and research on your property of interest
7. Prepare the offer and negotiate - Have your buyer's agent prepare a property value study and ask the seller if there are any other offers and his motivation for selling, deadlines, etc.
8. Conduct the home inspections - Take advantage of the inspection contingencies in your offer and get thorough inspections to eliminate any surprises after you move in to your new home.
9. Agree purchase - Use the inspection report to re-negotiate, if necessary.
10. Exchange and completion. The home is yours.
11. You many find that you need to add some steps, based on your special situation to create a customised home buying checklist for yourself.

 Find me a Buyers Agent now for my UK or Overseas Property Search