Walking into a developer’s sales office alone is one of the most common mistakes international buyers make. Here is what the developer’s team does not tell you.
The developer’s sales team is professional, friendly, and entirely on the developer’s side. That is not a criticism, it is simply the nature of their role. Your job is to have someone equally professional, on your side.
The developer’s sales team has no legal obligation to act in your interests. They represent the developer.
The deposit paid at the private purchase contract stage. Lost entirely if you withdraw for uncovered reasons.
A lot can change between signing and completion. Independent monitoring protects your position throughout.
Developer pricing is set by the developer. An independent advisor benchmarks it against current market conditions before you commit. In a flat or falling market, new build pricing can be above comparable completed properties.
Quality of finish, construction timelines and after-sales service vary enormously between developers. An experienced advisor knows which developers have a strong track record in the local market and which have a history of delays or poor snag resolution.
New build contracts are drafted by the developer’s lawyers and weighted in the developer’s favour. Clauses covering completion date flexibility, specification changes and withdrawal rights are particularly important and not always explained clearly by the sales team.
The commission question: At Aluma, we always disclose whether we will receive a commission from the developer. Our advisory fee is agreed with you independently and does not change based on which property you ultimately choose.
Talk to us before you visit the sales office. A 30-minute call costs nothing and changes everything.