Buying a House: Choosing a Real Estate Agency 2

Request a Real Estate Agency to Act as an Intermediary.

When purchasing a home, it is important to gather information on properties. In addition to gathering information on individual properties on your own using the Internet or information magazines, it is also effective to ask a real estate agent who has a lot of information on properties and the local area to help you find a property.

Point 1: ​Services provided by real estate companies in the brokerage business

When looking for a brokered property, have the real estate company that acts as an intermediary between the seller and the buyer, called a brokerage firm, look for the property. The real estate company provides information on properties that meet the conditions of the prospective buyer, and then supports the entire real estate transaction, including on-site visits, negotiations with the seller on terms and conditions, property explanations (explanation of important matters), contract procedures, and delivery procedures (on-site attendance, settlement of payment and expenses, etc.). Advice can also be sought on specialized areas such as law and taxes.
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It is difficult for non-expert parties to directly negotiate a contract with the seller, but by having a real estate company, a professional in real estate transactions, act as an intermediary, negotiations can be expected to proceed smoothly. If there are any uncertainties, it is advisable to consult with a real estate company.
Brokerage fees are charged for such support services for the entire real estate transaction.

What a real estate company does for you

(1) Provide property information
Search and introduce properties close to what you desire from REINS-registered properties, its own information, other companies' information, etc.

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(2) Provide on-site tours
​Provide on-site tours of selected properties

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(3) ​Negotiate terms and conditions with the seller
​Coordinate and negotiate with the seller regarding the purchase price and other terms and conditions

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(4) Explanation of important matters
Provide a legally obligated explanation of important matters regarding the property, contract details, etc. (This explanation will prevent potential problems in the future.)

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(5) Assist with mortgage loan procedures and execution of the purchase agreement
Assist with the mortgage loan process.
Assist in the preparation and conclusion of the purchase agreement.

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(6) Delivery of property
​Assist with verification and handover procedures by being present at the site.

Point 2: ​Check the differences in services offered by different real estate companies.​

In choosing a real estate company to find a property for you, it is important to first understand the business of the real estate company and fully confirm the services you will receive.

Find out what services are available

Next, examine the specific differences in the services provided by individual real estate agencies in terms of how they are provided. For example, if you feel that a real estate agency is not very proactive in providing property information, or if you feel that the explanation of service contents is "vague" or "lax," ask for an explanation until you are satisfied. After that, you can decide for yourself whether or not the real estate company is trustworthy and make your choice.

The following checklist is an example of the things to check when choosing a real estate company. Make your final decision after thoroughly reviewing not only these items, but also any other concerns you may have.

Brokerage Services Checklist

*This checklist is a reference for reviewing brokerage services and selecting a real estate company. Ultimately, please use your own discretion  in selecting the real estate you request.

Ask real estate companies to find a property for you.

Real estate companies can search for property information from the extensive information database of "REINS*" operated by the designated distribution system, including information that other real estate companies have received requests to sell. They can also provide information on properties for sale by their own clients and through cooperation with other real estate companies.

​Just because a real estate company introduces you to a property does not mean that you must purchase it. It is also possible to stop the property search in the middle of the process or request other real estate companies to search for properties at the same time. First, gather a wide range of information from real estate companies.

*REINS: The name of the computer network system (Real Estate Information Network System) operated by the designated distribution system.

Point 3: ​Tips for finding the right home

Communicating the exact conditions of your desired home to the real estate company is often the fastest way to purchase a desired home. When asking the real estate company to search for a housing, you should tell the real estate company the "area," "type of housing," "budget," and "move-in period.

​For the "area," it will be easier for the real estate company to find a property if you narrow down your search to the train line and nearest station. The type of property" includes whether it is a single-family home or a used condominium. For "Budget," set an upper limit and tell whether it is a "housing budget" or a "total budget for purchasing a house.

Once you have communicated your desired conditions, ask the real estate company for advice on whether the conditions are reasonable, and narrow down your preferences to more specific conditions. If you are unable to find a property that meets your conditions, consider expanding the range of properties by changing the desired conditions that are lower in priority.
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If your initial preferences are not clear, you may want to clarify them by looking at property information. In this case, organize the conditions of the properties you like and communicate them to the real estate company while clarifying your desired conditions.