THE BENEFITS OF SIGNING A SOLE MANDATE

If you challenged multiple chefs to compete against one chef in an attempt to cook the same meal, whose dish would be ready first and be the tastiest? Chances are that the chef cooking on his own will be able to get the task complete quicker and better than a team of chefs who will inevitably waste time over who will do what and which ingredients should be used to prepare the meal.

The same logic applies when it comes to selling your home. Many homeowners feel that if they let multiple agencies market their home, they will increase their reach to potential buyers which will enable them to sell quicker. The truth is that it is often far more effective to sign a sole mandate and allow one agent the space to cook up the best sale…

What is a sole mandate?

A sole mandate is an exclusive contract that stipulates an allotted timeframe during which you may not appoint another agent to market your property. You can appoint another agent only once the sole mandate has elapsed. You will still be entitled to market and sell the property yourself, but only if this is confirmed in writing and you may still be required to pay a fee to the sole mandated agent (depending on the wording of the contract you signed). Giving an agent an exclusive sole mandate, on the other hand, means that you will not be allowed to sell the property privately.

Open mandates can cause confusion

If you opt for an open mandate, you’re taking exclusivity out of the deal. This means that there will be multiple agents, from a variety of agencies, who will be marketing and trying to sell your property. Although this may sound like the option that will better your chances of finding a buyer, it can bring about complications and increase the chance of a possible double commission claim. An open mandate allows for a wider net to be cast, however, doing so also opens the potential for confusion as to which agent was the effective cause of the successful sale.

Where a sole mandate is a written agreement, open mandates are often verbal agreements. With no written agreement in place, certain aspects could be misinterpreted, which could cause conflict. A clear, written contract protects both you and the agent, reducing the risk of any misunderstandings.

Sole mandates inspire maximum effort

A written contract will also ensure that the agent puts maximum effort into fulfilling the goals that have been set. If an agent is working on an open mandate, they may be less inclined to spend as much time marketing the property, which will reduce your home’s chances of selling.

Sole mandates guarantee efficiency

The reason for a sole mandate is to ensure that the transaction is handled in the most efficient way possible and that all parties are protected. This is why most financial institutions and estate agencies recommend it, as having a sole mandate will ensure more effective marketing of the property and an orderly conclusion to the sale, without anything getting lost in translation between the various parties involved in selling your home.

Sole mandates make your life simpler & safer

Logistically, a sole mandate will take up less of your time because you will only have to liaise and deal with one agent, not several. Dealing with one agent simplifies the process, with far less time spent coordinating your schedule with the various agents and their buyers. It is also better from a safety perspective, as only one agent will have access to your property.

Final advice

While you might be inclined to think that signing a sole mandate is restricting, it is an opportunity to make the process of selling your home simpler. Before signing any mandate, take time to find an experienced real estate agent who will work according to what is in your best interest, giving sound professional advice and assisting you to make the right decisions.