What to expect or not to expect from real estate agent in Dubai.

What to expect or not to expect from real estate agent in Dubai.

In today's real estate market, we believe that both agents and customers bear equal responsibility, so it's critical to recognise and understand each role throughout the process to avoid future confusion. The agent's role is to act as a middleman between buyer and seller, offering his client the best deal based on his or her needs, whereas the customer must conduct due diligence on the agent to ensure he or she is dealing with the right party in terms of market knowledge, company reputation, and track record. The real estate agent is an authorised broker by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, with a valid RERA ID card, and acts as an intermediary between you and the developer, who has a wide range of options available based on your needs. The most important duties of a real estate agent are highlighted below, along with what to expect and what not to expect. Whether you are a buyer, a seller, a landlord, or a tenant, you will expect the agent to provide you with an insider's view of the market based on undeniable facts and to narrow your options.

To elaborate, as a buyer or landlord, you can expect the agent to request documents to verify ownership, prepare documents and advertise your property, ensure quality pictures of all marketing portals, communicate and negotiate offers from buyers or tenants, and prepare documents to finalise the transaction. As a buyer or tenant, you should expect your agent to provide you with a list of properties that meet your needs and cash flow, to give you access to view the properties, to negotiate offers on your behalf, to prepare documents to finalise the transaction, and to hand over the keys. Guidance throughout the process is something that is applicable to all types of clients and expected from all agents.

Another very important point to mention is full disclosure and transparency regarding the properties you are being offered or visiting; this is something we at Edge Realty Real Estate truly believe in and teach our agents. Every agent in the Dubai real estate market must be able to understand your needs through a series of questions, only then can we provide unbiased advice. You should also expect prompt response and punctuality. In brief, here are the top seven reasons why you should consider hiring a real estate agent:

•   Knowledge & Experience
•   Will save you time and money
•   Professional Network
•   Wide spectrum of options based on your requirements
•   Understand your need & provide unbiased advice
•   Negotiate offers & get you best deal
•   Help you with the paperwork

The list of things not to expect from your agent is short, but we want to highlight the most important points that are usually expected after the transaction has been completed. The agents will not be able to assist with maintenance issues, service charges, disputes with any parties regarding the property, or delays in construction (if purchased off-plan) not because they are unwilling to help, but because the agent has no control over any parties after the transaction has been successfully completed. Finally, if you rented your property, the agent cannot help you with cleaning or connecting utilities or EJARI unless you pay in advance for the services.