Agents

Enough of rogue agents

PropNex rolls out measures to win customers’ trust and confidence IF YOU discovered that the agent you had hired to sell your flat was also quietly acting for the buyer, you’d probably be hopping mad and looking for some kind of recourse. Unfortunately, there is nothing by way of laws over real estate practices that you can turn to. Property agencies like PropNex, however, are banking on...

PropNex to fire non-performing agents this week

One of Singapore's biggest real estate agencies, PropNex Realty, is firing more than one-third of its agents. According to its CEO, the move is aimed at cleaning up the profession. PropNex is firing those who have been with them for over a year, but have yet to submit a single transaction. About 2,800 agents currently on its list will be affected. The agents were first given a choice to remain as...

Industry players welcome CaseTrust for real estate agencies

The consumer watchdog wants to reduce the growing number of complaints against property agents and real estate agencies. So it is developing a CaseTrust Accreditation Scheme for the industry. This could be introduced by the middle of 2008. Estate agencies who wish to apply and attain the CaseTrust status will be subjected to a more stringent criteria. The scheme will also raise the requirements for an...

Time to act against rogue housing agents

COMPLAINTS against real estate agents are rising. According to the latest statistics, more than 1,000 reports have been lodged with the Consumers Association of Singapore and the Inland Revenue Authority. I am puzzled why little has been done to eradicate the presence of unethical agents who offer wrong advice and short-change buyers and sellers in a booming sector. It is time the industry is...

More controls to keep real estate agents in line

Real estate agents may be accredited under a new scheme, if the Ministry of Finance (MOF) gives the go-ahead. Two industry watchdogs - the Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) and Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) - are joining hands to start a new accreditation scheme and they plan to submit a proposal to MOF in the middle of the year. They believe compulsory guidelines will help improve the...

Commissions earned by real estate agencies up sharply in 2007

Commissions earned by real estate agencies have gone up sharply, by as much as 80 percent, according to one agency. Market watchers said that is not surprising, given the hike in property prices and number of transactions. As a result, the industry is also attracting more agents. Three days into the new year and real estate agency Propnex is already training 200 agents who have entered its fold. About...

Benefits of real estate partnerships

Your buyer with your help found the perfect home, succeeded on the offer, and closing is just weeks away. Financing, moving and post-sale renovations are next on the buyer’s to-do list. Do you have a list of resources that makes it easy for your buyer to sign the contract or is your buyer left busy scouring the yellow pages for help? Building a strong list of local, reliable partners brings confidence...

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