Since 1998
Buyers & Sellers
Based upon our years in the brokerage business and experience in assisting both buyers and sellers, we offer the following helpful hints for people who want to buy or sell a boat.
For Our Buyers
Select a yacht broker who is experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.
You may believe you are capable of searching for your next boat without a professional broker’s assistance. And that may be true.
However, at no cost to you (since the brokerage commission is paid by the seller), Alaska Boat Brokers, which is well-versed in the ever-changing market conditions, provides knowledge, resources, and advice to aid you in the search and purchase process. Alaska Boat Brokers has access to far more information than our clients. We will be able to quickly identify boats all over the world that are for sale. We have access to the sold price of used boats, which we will use to help determine current fair market values. And, we maintain a network of contacts with other professional brokers and marine professionals so we can quickly and easily obtain current market information.
Alaska Boat Brokers will provide you with recommendations for marine lenders, accredited surveyors, insurance agents, and professional tradespeople when you acquire your new boat. We are familiar with the entire selling and purchasing process and will represent you, the buyer, to assure you that the buying process is completed correctly, quickly, and ethically.
Trust in your broker is essential. Be certain you are comfortable working with your broker and accepting his or her advice. Only work with a broker who demonstrates excellent knowledge of the type of boat that you are interested in purchasing.
Identify your wants and needs, and what you like & dislike about the many boats available on the market.
Be sure to communicate effectively with your Alaska Boat Brokers Inc. broker. Make a list of all of the “must-haves”, “wants”, and “nice to haves” for your next boat. Tell your broker about the boats you like. Explain, in detail, why you like some boats and not others. Attempt to prioritize your wants and needs.
Buying a boat is a process. As you review vessels in the market, expect your wants and needs to evolve into a clearer understanding. Talk with your Alaska Boat Brokers broker about each vessel you look at and tell him or her what you liked and disliked about each boat. This will help you and your broker develop a better understanding of exactly what you want in your next boat.
As you narrow down your search, take notes on each boat and see how they compare to your original “essentials” list. It may help you to put together a written list of what you like or dislike about each vessel. Use these lists to compare choices and make a final decision.
Do not buy the first boat that puts a sparkle in your eye!
Many people rush into buying the first boat they feel will fit their needs. Take your time. Remember, boat buying is a process. Your definition of the “perfect” boat will evolve as you search. Give yourself adequate time to understand your needs and wants and to make an appropriate choice.
Utilize internet resources and personal recommendations to learn more about boats in the marketplace. Use the internet to research boats that appeal to you. Seek opinions from chat rooms. Talk with people who own or have owned the boat you are considering. Listen to their perceived pros and cons and seek their knowledge and advice. Take advantage of your Alaska Boat Brokers broker’s knowledge of many brands and models of boats. Do not get caught up in glossy advertising that may exaggerate the benefits of a specific boat!
Remember, there is no perfect boat. All boats are compromises. The most obvious compromise is size versus cost. Seek your broker’s advice regarding compromises. As you proceed through the buying process, you will begin to understand the compromises that best serve you.
Don’t take the boat buying process to the extreme and spend years chasing the “perfect” boat. Once you have determined what you truly seek in a boat, be prepared to make an offer. Seek your broker’s opinions and advice. Let your Alaska Boat Broker broker assist you in determining a fair market value. Offer a fair price to the seller when you find the “perfect” boat for you.
Always personally inspect a boat before making a purchase.
Do not buy a boat based only on photos online or in an advertisement. It is impossible to see all of the details through photographs. If the boat is out of your region and you elect not to personally view the boat prior to making an offer, make your offer contingent on your personal inspection.
If, for some reason, you cannot personally inspect the boat, select a trusted friend who understands you and has expert knowledge to conduct an inspection on your behalf. Then have a long conversation with them before purchasing the vessel.
If the boat is over 20 feet, a pre-closing survey by a qualified surveyor should be completed on the boat after you have accepted a written purchase agreement. Protect yourself from potential financial losses and emotional headaches resulting from hidden defects. It is far wiser to spend a little money for a professional survey than to close the transaction and then learn your next boat needs thousands of dollars in repairs.
For Our Sellers
Why list it with Alaska Boat Brokers?
There are many reasons why listing your boat with Alaska Boat Brokers will be beneficial to you. However, if your boat is less than 20 feet, it may make more sense to sell the boat yourself. These transactions are usually relatively simple, and there is typically a large market for smaller boats. The sale of a smaller boat usually doesn’t require the professional assistance of an experienced broke,r and you will save brokerage commission fees. Remember, though, you will be responsible for marketing your boat, negotiating price and terms, and completing all necessary paperwork for the sale to the buyer.
Why list with Alaska Boat Brokers? To achieve the following:
-
Maximum exposure to the marketplace
-
Obtain the highest selling price
-
Complete a quick and orderly sale
-
Save your precious time
-
Minimize the trauma associated with negotiating
-
Have an experienced professional representing your best interests and protecting you in the sale process.
When you sign a listing agreement with Alaska Boat Brokers, we will manage the selling process from start to finish. We will help you determine fair market value and recommend a reasonable asking price. We will make recommendations that will make your boat more marketable, such as professional detailing or repairs. Alaska Boat Brokers will invest time and money to effectively market your vessel, utilizing multiple listing services and appropriate advertising and promotion, to help you obtain better market exposure, a quick sale, and a better selling price than you could get on your own.
Alaska Boat Brokers will assist in the negotiating process, ensuring the sale does not fail due to ineffective communication between buyer and seller. Many potential sales unnecessarily fall apart during the negotiating process due to poor communication or the stress of the negotiating process. This serves neither the seller nor the buyer. Don’t let this happen to you!
Generally, when the size and the price of a boat increase, the number of potential buyers decreases. And, the complexity of a successful sale increases exponentially. Professional marketing of larger vessels is critical to a successful sale at a fair price.
Remove personal gear & ensure your boat presents an excellent overall appearance considering her age.
In the real estate business, a home with less clutter and attractively staged will sell faster for a higher price. The same applies to boats. Creating a favorable first impression is absolutely critical to your success in selling.
If you have personal belongings and gear that will not be sold with the boat, remove them! Declutter your boat! Make sure your boat presents well. Your boat must be clean inside and out, and obvious defects that will impede a sale must be corrected. If necessary, have your boat professionally detailed and repaired before placing it on the market.
A clean and properly maintained boat will outsell a dirty and poorly maintained one many times over. Numerous excellent photos, used to market your vessel, will successfully present a more appealing boat to potential buyers. Dirty boats don’t sell. A properly maintained boat will imply to a buyer that you cared for your boat and your boat is in better than average condition. Your boat will sell faster and bring more money if it has been well-loved.
Be reasonable on your asking price.
You can set any asking price, reasonable or unreasonable. However, if you are sincere in selling your boat in a reasonable amount of time, you will listen to the advice of your broker when establishing an asking price. Alaska Boat Brokers will conduct a fair market value analysis and recommend a range of value you should reasonably expect.
If you seek an excessive asking price, Alaska Boat Brokers may do you a favor by turning down your listing. A broker only has three things to sell: experience, knowledge, and time. Professional brokers do not want to waste their resources attempting to sell overpriced boats. The smart professional broker will not waste your time and resources by accepting an overpriced listing.
Buyers will preview the market to determine what is available and what sellers are asking for their boats. Buyers make very quick decisions when selecting potential boats to purchase, based on asking price and appearance. Don’t impede your marketing effort with an unreasonable asking price.
Your boat is special to you, as the proud owner, but this does not automatically mean your boat will sell for an above-average price. Potential exceptions are rare boats or older boats that truly exhibit exceptional care.
Price your boat reasonably or otherwise, you will scare off prospective buyers. Listen to what your Alaska Boat Brokers broker is telling you regarding market analysis and what comparable boats are selling for. Neither you nor your broker receives any money until your boat sells, so both of you want your boat sold in a reasonable amount of time for the highest price the market will support.
Do not expect your boat to sell tomorrow.
While it is possible your boat will sell in a very short time frame, today’s buyer is usually much better informed about the options available to them. With this in mind, many potential buyers start looking at boats ahead of their intended purchase date. Remember, boat buying is a process, and buyers want to see a variety of boats and determine what boat will best fit their needs. If your boat is in excellent condition, presents a favorable appearance, and is fairly priced, rest assured she will sell within a reasonable amount of time.