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**Yes, it is completely normal for a buyer to have an agent, and while you cannot legally force the buyer to drop their representation, you have full control over your terms.**

Under CEA rules, when a buyer engages an agent, that agent represents the buyer’s best interests. Attempting to bypass the agent to negotiate behind their back often backfires because buyers hire agents specifically to avoid pressure, handle paperwork, and negotiate prices.

Crucially, **you do not pay the buyer’s agent any commission**—the buyer pays them directly.

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### How to Handle the Buyer’s Agent

1. **Set Clear Boundaries:** Let the agent know you are a direct seller. Communicate via WhatsApp/email so every price offer, option fee, and timeline condition is documented in black and white.
2. **Never Pay "Cobroke" Commission:** Some buyer agents attempt to ask unrepresented sellers for a 1% fee to "help with paperwork." Politely refuse: dual representation is an offence under CEA regulations. The HDB Flat Portal handles paperwork directly for free.

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### Tips to Convince the Buyer to Close ASAP

To get a buyer to commit and put down the Option Fee quickly:

* **Leverage the HFE Validity Window:** Ask the agent if the buyer has a valid **HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter** on hand. A ready HFE means they can issue an offer today.
* **Offer Time-Sensitive Value (Not Just Price Cuts):** Offer perks that solve moving friction:
* **Flexible Handover / Zero Extension:** If you do not need an extension of stay, highlight this—many buyers lose out on units because sellers demand a 3-month extension.
* **Fixtures & Clean Condition:** Offer to leave well-maintained appliances, aircons, or light fittings so they save on upfront renovation.

* **Create Legitimate Exclusivity with an Expiry:** If negotiating price, state: *"I am willing to accept S$X, provided the OTP is signed and the S$1,000 Option Fee is transferred by 6 PM tomorrow, as I have another viewing scheduled this weekend."*" Urgency forces the agent to get their client to act.

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Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®

MSc BIT (Middlesex, UK); BBA (UniSA)

CEA Reg No: R021244C | Mobile: (+65) 88899918 

Email: onassis@sgagent.com

SGAgent.com | SGRealtor.com | SGCommercial.com | SGCBD.com

SGShowflat.com | SGNewLaunch.com

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ANSWERS

✔1. Yes, it’s normal for a buyer to have an agent. As a seller, you can generally communicate through the buyer’s agent or directly with the buyer, provided everyone understands the arrangement and negotiations remain transparent.

✔2. You can set clear communication boundaries. Ask the buyer whether they prefer communication through their agent or direct discussions, and keep all offers, agreed prices and timelines documented in writing.

✔3. Clarify commission responsibilities. If you are selling your HDB flat without your own agent, you generally do not pay the buyer’s agent unless you separately agree to a fee. Avoid arrangements involving improper dual representation.

✔4. Encourage a quick decision without pressuring the buyer. Provide relevant documents, be transparent about the flat’s condition, offer reasonable flexibility on completion or handover, and respond promptly to questions.

✔5. Set a clear offer deadline if appropriate. You can state how long your proposed price remains available, but avoid inventing competing offers or using misleading urgency. Let the buyer make an informed decision.

“Honesty builds trust, and trust helps good deals happen.”

WhatsApp me at >> ✔✔9856 9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255.
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Hi there!

As a property owner, you're entitled to decide whether to engage an agent to represent you in your sale.

However, if your prospective buyer has appointed an agent, I would encourage you to respect that arrangement.

**Here's something worth considering: If the buyer sees the value of having a professional representing his interests, shouldn't you, as the seller, consider having someone representing yours too?**

Selling a property involves considerably more than finding an interested buyer and agreeing on a price.

An experienced seller's agent can help you with:

1. **Establishing the right selling price** based on recent comparable transactions and current market conditions, rather than relying solely on asking prices.

2. **Reaching a wider pool of prospective buyers**, creating more opportunities for competitive offers instead of depending on a single interested party.

3. **Negotiating in your best interests**, including the selling price, timelines and other conditions that could affect your transaction.

4. **Assessing buyer readiness and managing the transaction**, helping to identify potential issues before they become costly complications.

**A buyer's agent is there to protect the buyer's interests. Who is protecting yours?**

While you may save on agency commission by selling independently, the more important question is whether you're achieving the best possible outcome for your property.

Sometimes, the difference between a well-negotiated sale and an average one can be considerably more than the professional fee involved.

**May I ask which estate and property type you're selling?**

I'd be happy to provide a no-obligation market assessment and explain how professional representation could help you maximise your selling opportunities.

Best regards,
**Geryl Lim**
CEA Reg. No. R014783H
WhatsApp: 9278 7772  Read More

It is not normal practice for a seller to prevent the buyer from using an agent, as it would be similar to going to court and demanding that the other party not bring a lawyer.

While the other party might agree, it would also be a red flag. It would appear like there is something wrong with the sellers' unit, so much that the seller has to go out of their way to prevent the buyer from getting professional support.

Both seller and buyer agents are there to make the deal smoother, so they generally help facilitate the sale better than the seller or buyer can directly facilitate. Nevertheless, if you are having issues with your agent, or the specific buyers' agent, you can consider swapping agents or informing the respective agents of the issue.

I'm a Harvard graduated real estate agent with a degree in economics, and have supported clients on more than $1 billion in transactions.

Feel free to reach out if you need help!

Kay Cloud
The Harvard Educated Agent
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd
cloud@propnex.com
Tel: (+6.5.) 8.5.6.7.4.5.8.5
Whatsapp -> https://wa.me/6585674585 Read More