How do I buy a boat without a broker?

[BobMacey]

After months of searching I found my boat, but it is offered by a private owner, not a brokerage.

My problem is that I don''t know where to begin.

Should I hire a broker to represent me? Or is this just a waste of money?

A broker would have a contract that spells out a number of things that I wouldn''t even know to include. Where can I get a contract without a broker?

A broker would hold my earnest money check. How does that work with a private owner? Do I give the owner a check and hope he does not cash it? Or is there some other process?

I would appreciate any advice and I am not ashamed to admit I don''t know what I am doing. I have purchased homes and boats before but always with a professional broker in the middle.

Thanks,
Bob Macey

[Jeff_H]

If you have never purchased a boat before (and so would not have an agreement to copy) a broker would be helpful but not necessary. You can use a lawyer to hold the money in escrow and handle the transaction (Ideally one who has been around boat deals.) If you want to see a simple contract to purchase a boat, you can email me and I will send you the one that I used when I sold my prior boat a couple years back.

Good luck,
Jeff