Buying a boat can be an exciting process, but it can also be stressful. You can spend a lot of time looking for the perfect boat for you, only to be disappointed and end up as the proud owner of a boat that turns out to be entirely unsuitable. So using a yacht broker to navigate stormy boat buying waters is a good idea for any potential boat buyer. Read on to find out what yacht brokers can do for you and how best to work with them.
Buying Privately
If you buy a boat privately, not only will you have to spend time searching for the right yacht, but then organise the entire process yourself. As a boat is such a big investment, you can’t afford to ignore the essentials of boat buying, from organising a test sail to negotiating the price. If you don’t have the time, knowledge or enthusiasm to do all these things, then you’re far better off approaching a boat broker to do all the leg work for you.
The Role of the Broker
Brokers exist to match yacht buyers with yacht sellers, and in the first instance will carefully listen to what type of yacht you want to buy. Professional brokers have a keen knowledge of the boat market, current prices and market conditions, and whether a boat represents good value or not. As such, they can help you determine the best boat for you, at the best price. A broker will also take you through the entire buying process, from organising sea trials and marine surveys to negotiating your offer with the buyer, dealing with the paperwork, licensing and registration, down to after sales help and advice.
Dealing with a Yacht Broker
Remember that your broker is an ally, so when approaching them, be sure to properly fill them in on what you want. http://www.ancasta.com/ advise potential boat buyers to be upfront, especially if you don’t know what it is that you want or need. Whatever your situation though, your broker will help you decide on the right boat for your purposes. If you do know what you want, they’re likely to also present alternatives, but remember that whatever they present you with they also have a duty to give potential buyers accurate information on any yacht they’re proposing, even the negatives.
Cost
As the buyer you pay nothing for the services of a broker, and your broker should be working to find a boat within your budget. However, don’t expect them to slash prices just for a sale. Remember they are also working for the seller who is paying them around 10% of the selling price, so the greater the price they achieve the better their own commission. However, most brokers also recognise the benefits of working with you to achieve a good price as you’re more likely to return the next time you need to buy or sell a boat. So a good broker with integrity will generally steer a course between achieving a good price for the buyer as well as the seller.
Wendy Lin is a freelance writer, entrepreneur and activist. She is passionate about gender equality in the workplace and making time for her growing family.