Navigating the complicated property market in Thailand can be difficult at times, particularly if you are going it alone. That, and when there are so many real estate agencies out there – each claiming to be the absolute best – it can be even harder to find a company that you feel comfortable with.
So, what is one to do when struggling to find the perfect property in Thailand? In this article, we’re going to focus specifically on hiring a real estate agent with lots of property listings, and how it can benefit you.
Is it safe to work with a real estate agency that has too many listings?
One thing that many real estate agencies will tell you is that it is a bad idea to work with a real estate agent that has loads of property listings. This is the kind of stigma that you need to avoid.
Should you avoid shopping with Amazon because they stock practically everything you could ever want and need? No.
Yes, there are benefits to working with specialist agencies that only focus on one specific type of property. However, that’s not to say that a real estate agent that has access to many property listings will be unable to help you.
It is entirely safe to work with a real estate agent with lots of property listings. In fact, there are a number of advantages, such as:
1 – Spoiled for choice
The first and obvious advantage to working with a real estate agent that has lots of property listings is the fact that you will have access to a much wider selection. Why limit yourself when you can take the time to explore a larger number of prospective properties? Certainly, there are bound to be many properties that do not appeal to you, however, there is a good chance that you’ll have greater success finding the perfect property for you when you work with an agency that has access to more.
2 – Well-connected
When you are working with a property agent that has more listings than most, it is a clear and evident sign that they are well-connected. Remember, the role of a property agent will continue long after they have sold you a property. The very best real estate agents will also assist you should you need to be connected with other businesses and services in your area, for example: the best plumbers, electricians, and contractors for future home improvement projects.
3 – Long-established
When a prospective real estate agent tells you not to go with a rival company because they have “too many listings”, it is typically a clear sign that they are not yet very well-established and likely refer to themselves as a “boutique” to appear better qualified than they are.
In truth, having access to a wide variety of property listings is evidence of a long-established and well-connected company. It takes time to build up a portfolio so large.
4 – Trusted
Another very good advantage to working with a real estate agent that is loaded with properties on their website is the fact that they are trusted. Property owners have quite clearly chosen to list their properties with that particular property agent because they believe that they have a higher chance of success.
Social proof is all you need to know about whether a property agent is reputable or inequitable. Take Lazudi as an example: they have a wealth of quality property listings for a reason.
5 – Ambitious
Property agents have a very clear job description: to sell properties. As such, having access to a wide variety of different properties and selling them through their website is a sign of ambition. Companies that are hungry to make their mark and dominate the property market will go above and beyond to secure access to all of the best properties in the area, for the benefit of their customer and to facilitate future growth.
Surely if a real estate agent has many listings they can’t be very good at selling property?
One common statement that people make is that if a real estate agency has a great number of property listings it is because they clearly aren’t very good at selling. That’s quite a short-sighted way of looking at things. For one thing: the property market in general moves quite slow. On average, it can take up to three months (and sometimes even longer) for a typical property to sell.
What else should you look for in a property agent?
Deciding on the perfect real estate agent depends on a wide variety of factors, including:
- How many positive reviews and testimonials they have;
- How long they have been trading;
- How knowledgeable they are of the Thai property market;
- How good their understanding is of the areas that they operate in;
- How good their negotiation skills are;
- How proactive they are during the sales process;
- How well they communicate with you;
- And more.
Ultimately, so long as you do some shopping around and ensure that your prospective real estate agency ticks all of the right boxes, you should go with your gut.
Similarly, there’s no rule that states you can only use one real estate agency if you come across two that you like to look at.
Conclusion
To recap:
- Choosing a real estate agency that has a large number of property listings is not a negative. In fact, there are many advantages, including: having more options to choose from, working with a well-connected and long-established real estate agency, and having social proof that they are highly trusted by those looking to sell their properties.
We hope that you have found this article helpful and wish you the best of luck on your search to find the perfect property for sale in Thailand. With a little patience and determination, we are confident you will find your dream home – just don’t underestimate the benefits of working with a reputable real estate agency.