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Non-responsive broker?

1363 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Undine, Aug 20, 2009

oceanscapt

Discussion Starter · Aug 15, 2009

I've got a strange problem.

I'm very interested in the Cal 39 and found several via the web. There are two that I've culled out; one here in Ft. Lauderdale, and the other in Georgia. Naturally, I'd like to look at the local one first.

The problem is that despite repeated phone calls and messages, the broker of record doesn't return phone calls. The listing only lists this broker and a general area for the boat (Hollywood, FL).

Does anyone have an idea of how to go around this broker to find a more receptive broker, the owner, or possibly the location of the boat.

Thanks.

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davidpm

· #2 · Aug 15, 2009 (Edited)

Many brokers are part of a brokerage with other brokers. You may be able to track down his peers or boss from the website or phone book. It may be sickness or phone problems or vacation with no coverage.

Also putting your card in a zip-lock with a chip of wood and leaving it in the cockpit has been done before too.

You can contact the yard who probably has the owners contact information if he is paying his slip bill. They probably can not give out the owners phone but may be persuaded to give the owner your phone number.

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sailingfool

· #3 · Aug 16, 2009

You can look up ownership information regarding documented boats by name/size , try here:
Vessel Documentation & Boat Registration Database - MarineTitle.com

You also jsut google the name and state...

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Snboard976

· #4 · Aug 16, 2009

Enlist the help of a buying broker. It won't cost you anything, and the non responsive broker will lose half of his commission.

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sailingfool

· #5 · Aug 16, 2009

Although becoming common in RE, I have still never seen a "buyer" broker in the boat business - doesn't mean there isn't such, but I've never seen one. Any broker I've seen has continued to be someone who is paid by the seller, even if he were your brother-in-law and your best friend.

That is not to say that the OP shouldn't strike up a relationship with a local broker and rely on that broker for help with this and other boats, just that the brpker will continue to be a legal agent of and compensated by the buyer.

You are welcome to share a different perspective, but I would like to see something substansitive

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Undine

· #6 · Aug 16, 2009

We used a buyer's broker for our purchase. She located the boat for us. Yes, she was paid from the seller's broker's commission. We felt the entire time that she was on our side. Part of the problem we had was that the seller and his broker had an unrealistic view of the value of the boat. We knew better because we had been trying to buy several. (Two of which were sold for less than we were offering when we had a signed contract and a deposit check in the broker's hand - different broker.) Anyway, our broker researched the most recent sales and presented the argument with proof to the seller's broker and convinced him.

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oceanscapt

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 17, 2009

Thanks for the suggestions.

Since I don't know the exact location of the boat leaving a card in the cockpit isn't an option.

And since I don't have the boat name, hailing port, or HIN, the database option doesn't work for me.

It looks like I'll be calling another broker and working through them. The problem is that I hate to waste the brokers time if the boat doesn't meet the specifications listed or my requirements.

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Undine

· #8 · Aug 17, 2009

When we were searching for our boat we met a large number of brokers, some seemed better than others. One guy really worked to find us our dream boat. He succeeded, but the deal fell through. When we had to cancel the second survey, our surveyor told a friend of his about our problems. So she found us a boat! She told the surveyor and he passed her name and number to us. She had to work to find a Morgan 33 OI in FL that we hadn't already seen! And then she had to sell us (as serious buyers) and our offer (as reasonable) to the owner's broker. Both the owner and his broker thought the boat was worth more than it was. Linda convinced the broker and he convinced the owner. We bought the boat. After 3 trips to FL looking at dozens of boats, it took 1 month from first phone call with her to signing papers. Yes, she got half of the commission. That's how it works in real estate also.

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sailingfool

· #9 · Aug 17, 2009

Undine said:
When we were searching for our boat we met a large number of brokers, some seemed better than others. One guy really worked to find us our dream boat. He succeeded, but the deal fell through. When we had to cancel the second survey, our surveyor told a friend of his about our problems. So she found us a boat! She told the surveyor and he passed her name and number to us. She had to work to find a Morgan 33 OI in FL that we hadn't already seen! And then she had to sell us (as serious buyers) and our offer (as reasonable) to the owner's broker. Both the owner and his broker thought the boat was worth more than it was. Linda convinced the broker and he convinced the owner. We bought the boat. After 3 trips to FL looking at dozens of boats, it took 1 month from first phone call with her to signing papers. Yes, she got half of the commission. That's how it works in real estate also.

Sound slike a good broker who serviced you well, but you confuse yourself and readers by referring to her as a buyers broker. She worked as the standard sellers brokers, one who is smart and skilled enough to build the trust and good will of buyers, as any successful broker does and must.

Just don't forget for whom she is working, and who will pay her.

I assume you signed the common broker disclosure form where you certified your awareness of the above...

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Undine

· #10 · Aug 20, 2009

OK, the seller paid the broker. Call her the seller's other broker if you wish.

We knew what we wanted. She found one and made the deal work. I might add that we had made offers on 4 other Morgan 33's prior to this one (working with other brokers), but things did not work out. I still will think of her as "our broker".

If you buy a house with a "Buyer's Broker" it works the same way. They are paid by the seller as well.

And yes, we signed the forms and understood what they ment.

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