Michael_CHW

there is this thing call..."dream on...."

maybe the government never thought so far? must leave something initiatives for the new MPs to think mah... hahaha...

I have been sourcing for a flat for myself for about 3 months to-date. And this is done on my own efforts. All seller agents would tell me the same thing, that it is a "standard" that buyers will still need to pay 1% comm to the agent, either his own Buyer's Agent(B-A) or the seller's agent(S-A). Some argued that, by paying the S-A the comm, the S-A would be likely to help u close the deal, as compared to another potential buyer who offers a higher price but has a B-A to co-broke with. I find this is cow dung. I just feel that, it is the Property Agents (not all, but majority) who is manipulating the market. Simply because they (not all, but majority) would want to collect extra comm whenever possible. If all buyers who source for their own flats for viewing, all united and tell the S-A to go marina and fly kite, would it still be possible for S-As to ask for comm in such cases? I might not be updated but, why is IEA or SAEAnot coming out with any guidelines like, if the agent help you to find the flat, you should pay comm (generally 1% for buyers); and if the agent merely help you to do up the documents, then the "service fee" should be around...$xxx? In this way, it will be clear and no dispute for all parties. I tried calling HDB to clarify, but again it proved my impression about HDB....they simply push things away, especially when this is not within their "job scope". I do agree HDB is not the governing body to regulate such issues, but I am sure they would have received countless enquiries of the same. Yet they can't even provide a reference for the general public to check. I simply gave up on them. I am still looking for a flat on my own, and I will only pay the agent if he/she was the one who found the flat for me. If I am the one who sourced and arranged for viewing of the flat, then I will be the one receiving my comm. By the way...anyone looking at selling his/her 3-room flat in Bt Merah area? Can PM me and wel nego on our own. Then we don't have to pay any agents buyer's comm or seller's comm. hahaha...