Gecko Towers
Of the myriad of uses to which the Internet can be put, for many, one of the core drivers, is the giving and receiving of advice. Apparent experts and novices, alike, share the same enthusiasm to demonstrate knowledge and a willingness to provide solutions.
For those who make their living providing services, their core motivation is rarely purely philanthropic. I am not at all critical of this, indeed, I am an exponent of the curious alchemy of turning an online enquiry into a paying client. While I have a patient evangelism in helping to guide the unwary to avoid the pitfalls of making costly mistakes, I am also a caring capitalist, in business to make a living.
I was interested recently by a post on a Facebook group that I subscribe to. The query was posted by a keen would-be emigrant from the UK and it contained fairly simple parameters that sought advice as to the best locations on the Costa del Sol both for lifestyle and some direction regarding the generation of income from rental properties.
The resultant deluge of replies to this post came from those clamoring to provide various solutions. They ranged from the like-minded amateur who sought to share their experience of an excellent level of service they’d received from a real estate agent, a rental business, a key holding company, a bank or a mortgage broker. And the professional, for whom a subscriber to such a group amounts to a well prequalified potential client.
The main problems with the asking for and receiving advice online is the nature of the contact and the audience that it attracts.
Those who are members of same group who have experienced similar challenges on their journey are often the most useful respondents. They have “no dog in the fight” and while they may be jaundiced by a particular hurdle that they found inescapable, or otherwise expensive, they tend to be brutally honest in their sharing.
Some of the professional responders, plump with the experiences of largely identical clients, and risk falling into one of two traps.
One is complacency, “seen it all and done it all” which has a tendency to result in an approach that is largely “cookie cutter”. Rarely does one size fits all. To believe that Client A’s circumstances are largely identical to Client B’s is dangerous, naive and suggests that the advisor has not listened to nor amended their advice to suit the precise needs of different clients.
The second, bourne out of a repetitive frequency of largely similar dealings, is as patronizing as tapping a person on the head with an open palm and telling them not to “worry themselves” about the outcome as “I will sort out anything that is thrown at you”….. A classic overpromise as well as being irritating to generally worldly clients. The only obvious result to setting expectations so high is an inevitable underdelivery.
Experienced real estate agents are well practiced in the art of carefully sifting clients. While the internet is a prime media to explore the shop window, giving real world advice can only really happen from face to face dialogue. The proper human relationship that is established through discussion and sharing in the office or in a car journey to viewings is vitally important to establishing a properly dynamic professional relationship.
As a lawyer when you are confronted with a new client there are two immediate reactions that are learned in practice shortly after qualification. The first is a simple sense that determines whether the new face sitting across the desk or at the end of a Zoom call is likely to be the kind of client who is going to be a joy to work with. An accepting, though not submissive, demeanor and an enquiring mind. The aim is an honest exchange of expectations and a productive discussion that results in a clear route map forward with direction.
The second core skill is just to listen. By listening, in part, you get to hear what people don’t say. Your lawyer’s role is key to helping you, their client, to achieve your dream. There are those clients who are happy to share extensively their plans for their and their family’s futures in this new environment and in doing so they will often disclose those elements of which they are cautious or fearful. It is our role as paid advisors to really listen and to conclusively understand then address those issues that require detailed focus.
Let’s be clear the purchase of a property in the Marbella region is rarely an emergency purchase. It is often something that clients have usually planned extensively over a number of years to arrive at a point where their purchase can become a reality. As their trusted and independent advisor, our role is to joint venture their enthusiasm and to help navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of the Spanish property market. Let’s not over-blow our role but there are few in the mix who need to “have your back” but your Abogado should definitely be one.
My message is by all means use social media to act as a filter to get to the starting gate of your personal journey to buy a property in the Marbella area. However, it is only through proper consideration, comment and feedback that you will establish a viable depth of trust in the quality of the advice that you are receiving and those that are giving it. Above all be very circumspect in who you place your trust be that your estate agent or your preferred lawyer.
Should you be interested in discussing the process involved in buying a property in the Marbella region, we would be delighted to assist you. As and when you are ready to progress with your search please contact me to discuss your precise requirements.
We are not estate agents, but we work with some hard-working and reputable ones.
We have a multi-disciplinary team of bi-lingual, highly experienced and wholly independent Abogados (Spanish Lawyers) and Asesores Fiscales (Tax Accountants) ready to help you.
Please note that our posts are for general interest. There is no substitute for proper advice tailored to your specific circumstances as provided by a qualified Abogado who is experienced in the application of the Spanish Law. Nothing contained in this article should be seen or taken as the writer or the publisher providing legal, tax or financial advice. All details have been reasonably fact-checked and all efforts have been taken to ensure that facts are accurate as at the date of publication.
My details: Mark FR Wilkins, during usual business hours on +34 600 343 917 or e-mail me at mark@biznagapartners.com
You may also be interested to subscribe to my interactive FaceBook Group “Costa del Sol – The Best Place to Live in Europe” – please click this link – Costa del Sol – The Best Place To Live In Europe
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