zirhk3355

Another 'boohoo' letter... --- Aug 15, 2008 After rule change, consider plight of estate agents THE ANNOUNCEMENT on removal of estate agent's commission has left agents to the mercy of the public. It encouraged the public to view agents' services as a commodity to be bargained over and not see agents as human beings performing an uncertain job with no fixed pay, no CPF and no Medisave. The statement has resulted in ridiculous requests by owners who deliberately ignore the hard work and costs put in by agents. For example, I now have a case where I am marketing a property with construction sites right, left and centre for a month. Costs are high because lag time is longer with market slowdown and after a long time, there is only one offer. Despite this, the owner wants to offer 50 per cent discount because I had a direct buyer. Does anyone stop to think agents we have no CPF and no Medisave? And if I don't do any deals in the seventh month, I need to use my savings to pay my expenses. No, they don't. Agents and buyers are two parts of one equation. If only one side is protected, the other side will be victimised. A few hundred thousand ricebowls are at stake. We have families too. Please consider us too. Lynette Choy Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Onlin...ory_268120.html

There were alot of talk about itemised billing for their commission, like what ahjane said, a certain price-tag for a certain service provided. However, that also means the cheaper properties' owners will suffer by paying more, and/or conversely the more expensive properties' owners will benefit by paying less. Unless someone out there gets really innovative and be supported by most agencies, the current percentage billing, or what they called the 'robin hood' billing, would still stick. The issue is just how many percent now, after the guideline is axed.

Feature walls are really the bulk of the ID's income, quite obviously. You see they always quote 'price per sqft' for other carpentry works like kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, etc. But when comes to feature walls, its always a lump sum above $1K. But that's also probably because the design details are always on the feature wall; cabinets and wardrobes are very standard. If you are hardworking enough, just go find more pictures of feature walls, draw it yourself and get a contractor to buy the laminates to do it.

You like party?? Good good, there is a block party this 30 Aug'08 (Sat), at Blk 55A Commonwealth Dr. Its a small scale one, usually just some games and arts/colouring contest for the children. Adult is $3...join us?? Hehe...

Usually COP is just to create presence and deter crimes. I dun think we are empowered like policemen to take down particulars and/or summon people, dun think you want that also because with power comes responsibilities. But anyway, the COP schedule still not firm yet, last meeting was talking abt the enbloc at Blk 74 to 80, plus the SERS party for our blk 89 to 91. The party should be held sometime in Oct'08, will be quite a big thing... I will check on the COP thingy again and update you guys...

Woah, steady man! This sat THUM onz lah! Want to go must faster go, think next year the area will do upgrading so will be very noisy and dusty liao... Maybe also can drop by the SERS exhibition at Blk 79 Commonwealth Dr, kaypoh-kaypoh abit see how the new replacement flats are like...

Night phonecalls from who for what purpose? How did behaviour change, eg from talkative to quiet, from happy to moody, vice versa, etc? Need more details, pls.

Just dawned upon me: Its actually good for the new buyers to have this, especially the suay ones who bought a flat with loanshark case. They can print it out and paste on the corridor, let the loanshark know that they are the new owner and not the one who owe money. May not work lah, its a long shot, but at least its a step forward...

That will be in 2013 when the new replacement flats are expected to get their TOP. Also, not sure if the old blocks 74-80 will be demolished, maybe to be made into serviced apartments/dorms like those walk-up blocks? Even if they are being demolished, I think something must be built there; maybe MORE replacement flats for the rest of tanglin halt?? Although the rest of Tanglin Halt had been upgraded, I do realise that most of them are already more than 30yrs old. Also, those 'blue roof' flats had been upgraded about 15 yrs ago, so by 2013, the upgrading works would have served its time and it could be time for them to be demolished too...

Ya, cuz the previous title says Blk 89, 90 and 91 mah, then those who want to buy blk 74 to 80 c'wealth dr SERS flats will feel left out. Must be all inclusive since their replacement flats are so near to us!

You didn't get me right; I said agents might not collect comm from buyers, not sellers. And that's because they are probably the exclusive agent for the seller and they got 2% (or more??), so in order to do quick deal, they are willing to sell to you without collecting any comm. And this is very common for private property, where buyers usually do not pay comm at all; if there is a buyer's agent, s/he will share (co-broke) with the seller's agent. My point is not so much to bargain, but to find that agent who is willing to work for lower comm. This could probably be done by your own advertising to sell the flat and when the agents call you, that's where your power to negotiate lies. If you call up an agent to bargain, they usually won't budge because you call them mah.

Of course, but why do you want to do that?? Within 3 mths its not going to vary alot...

Like I said, it depends on your willingness to pay. Eg if a family member is in hospital and you do not earn enough to pay for the bills, would you not let your loved one receive medical attention?? Of course not right, by hook or by crook also must find the money to treat him/her. Same here; if you are very motivated to sell the flat, no matter how also will sell, you will find a way to pay for the agent's fee. Anyway, the 2%/1% rule doesn't really apply anymore; I know in the market, people had been bargaining like crazy. Some agents are not collecting comm from buyers, some are even willing to lower to 1% for seller. And yes also got some negotiate until fixed sum, but bear in mind lor, if its fixed eg $10K, whether you sell $300K or $500K also $10K comm for the agent, why should the agent bother to push the buyer for $500K? Might as well PUSH YOU to close at $300K! So by asking for fixed sum comm, you are creating trouble for yourself.

All valuation for HDB flats are to be done by HDB, whether is it submitted by seller or buyer or their agents. So IMO its the same. But you can ask for another valuation if you think the seller's valuation report is outdated. And of course, the seller will make you pay for it.

Maybe they will enbloc somewhere else and build the new flats at Blk 74 and 80?? Or maybe covert the flats into rental flats also, like blk 71 to 73 those walk-up apartments... Wahh, huccome u got brochures already?? I also never see yet... Anyway, there will be a SERS exhibition at Blk 79 Commonwealth Dr this Thursday onwards (for two weeks I think). As per previously, residents will be walking up and down the area, chit-chatting, etc. Some will want to sell, some will want to look-see. This will be the best opportunity for potential buyers to chat up the residents and see if they want to sell. Remember property agents are also observing this and will swoop in quickly. They will be standing at the exhibition like vulchers, waiting to pounce on residents and buyers like you. So if do not want to pay agent's commission, quickly chat up with a resident and deal direct. Those who need advice or help on SERS can pm me; not free of course, this world where got free things one. I will charge 'commission' of one kopi-c at Blk 46-1 during THUM!

Aug 11, 2008 Bad and irrational to axe property commission guide NO DOUBT about it. The removal of property agent commission guidelines by the Institute of Estate Agents is a bad and irrational move. The institute has undone its many years of good work that instilled a sense of proper worth for the work agents do. The public and the media are always inclined to portray agents as devils and the clients as angels or damsels in distress. While there are exceptions to any rule, I would argue to the contrary. Show me one client of honorary character, and I'll show you 10 agents who will return the favour over and beyond the call of service. The fact of the matter is, the gentleman client is a rarity in the Singapore property market. The largely fictional scrupulous agent is a direct result of the dearth of principled clients. In theory, one devil client is enough to spawn 10 devil agents. Sadly, nine in 10 clients tend to be the devil. This is a market that never appreciates good service offered, though exceptions apply. Regardless of the industry, monetising good service is close to impossible with Singaporeans. When your business comprises all service and no tangible product, it becomes a huge problem of survival. Removing commission guidelines in a gentleman's market is well and good, but to do so in Singapore is detrimental to the industry and its benefactors, both agents and clients. Soon everyone will have forgotten there were ever guidelines. And most clients will try to get away with free service and a pound of flesh. As the situation deteriorates, agents will tend towards bad service, and the honest ones will eventually drop out. And we will have a scoundrel's playground for a real estate market. Welcome to reality. In any case, Institute of Estate Agents guidelines were just that. No agent could effectively enforce them, because they were not enforceable in court. What the guidelines did was to give the collective conscience of property players a proper perception of the worth of work done by agents. Now that thin string to common sense is gone. Get ready for many sad stories. Forget about Integrity, Service and Excellence. Expect minimum, disgruntled and devalued service. James Rajan Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Onl...ory_266638.html

Yeah I know what you meant to; sometimes its about the fun and teamwork you had enjoyed with your current team members and its hard to leave them just like that. Erm, for the WEC in queenstown, I did heard that its not very active...

Quickly jio your friends to buy and stay with us in future!!

Actually what you are saying has nothing to do with your affordability; its your willingness to pay. Would you accept it if your customer tells you that they cannot pay for their orders because they are not making enough profit? Take note its "not making ENOUGH profit", not that they are losing money or not earning anything at all. Or can you walk into a LV boutique and ask for discount, because your monthly salary is less than the price-tag of that tote bag you are eyeing? Or can you tell your lawyer who is fighting for your lawsuit of compensation, that you will pay him only if you manage to claim a GOOD compensation amount? The lawyer will probably tell you, "Then go to court yourself, or don't fight the case!" Now, if you are unwilling to pay, then you should take the efforts to sell the flat yourself, or don't sell at all. Its not fair to make the agent work harder to earn what he would normally earn; if you want him to work harder, you got to pay more, isn't it?

I think there were about 160+ tables, if I am not wrong (sorry me not in the committee this year). Dun really care about the food lah, its the gathering that's important! Won't bother with complaints on food as well; at that price, you got to manage your own expectations. To me, as long as everything flows smoothly (performances, awards' presentations, etc), its a success liao. If I were you I would change over to queenstown lah; why be an associate in another RC where you are not residing? We got a member (now associate) who moved to Buona Vista, and she finds lesser and lesser sense of belonging to this RC. She will be transferring to the other RC from next month. So join us!!

Hehe, got alot of enquiries on this before, but I am sure you are not parking at the carpark that's why you didn't know what was being done about this. Earlier this week's Mon and Tues, leaflets were left by your nice 'fong-fei-fei' parking wardens on the windscreens of all season-holders, that they will be allowed to park at other carparks (including both MSCPs) and will not be summoned. The RC had fought very hard with HDB for this leh... Also, little known to others that there is actually a boundary line drawn parallel to the MRT track; our side its under Tg Pagar GRC but the other side with the open field/running track belongs to Holland/Bukit Timah GRC. Each GRC holds their own parties within their own premises mah, cannot be we go party at someone else's ground right? Anyway, there are big plans for the area at Blk 46-1/2 and the three round and old hawker centres, where major developments will upgrade the whole place with a permanent stage for whatever religion ceremonies, getais, etc. Once its done, the NDP dinner will be held there in future and not at the open carpark anymore. This also means cheaper costs and translate to either better food or cheaper tickets.

Erm, wait, you are going to engage the contractor to do up your house, or you want to marry him?? Oops...pun intended. Of course choose the contractor with better quality! You are going to live in the house created by him leh, but after the works you won't contact him liao, what for care about his 'honesty'?? Just make sure you manage him well, outwit him on his dishonest approach and be wary of his moves/charges lor...

There is nothing wrong with letting others know that your property is sold, note that the website did not put how much was the exact unit sold for. The transacted prices part did not have unit no., while those with unit no. did not have the prices. This page is basically to advertise for the agents, to let the neighbour or whoever that wants to buy/sell in the area know the agent who had closed the deal/s.

You might want to read what I posted above: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?s=...st&p=274171 Like I said, LS issues are basically private matters with the debtor. You became involved when you bought the unit from the debtor. If you are aware, so many people's houses are being terrorised by LS everyday, but few got hurt. Moreover, most of the time the victims do not know who did it and have no suspects in mind. So look at it from this POV: Its a private matter, nobody saw who did it (ie no suspect), splashing of paint is afterall a case of mischief, or a minor offence punishable only by a fine or short jail term, plus it is happening everyday, everywhere. Do you really think its plausible for the police to take their men off the streets, stand-down guard-duty for those sensitive locations, cut down other investigations, etc and assign the manpower to "launch operation" for such LS ambush?? IMO I would rather wack the police for letting Mas Selamat escape, and I would be more than happy if they take manpower off such minor cases to buck-up in their more sensitive duties...

In the first place as long as the agent is not representing you, you do not need to pay them. But of course there will be cases where the agent might tell you point-blank that s/he will cut you off the deal and close with other people who are willing to pay comm. But well, its a start lor. Like you said, the agents can no longer tell you that its a rule/law for you to pay comm, although they can still bluff those who does not know. Mind you, there ARE alot of ignorant people on this island for them to bluff...