As a team of Yacht Sales Professionals, we share your excitement and passion for yachts and the boating lifestyle. It’s one of our goals to be an ambassador and guide to the yachting community. With a wide perspective on the entire yachting industry, we’re here to help you find the perfect vessel for your needs. As your own Buyers Agent at Aspire Yacht Sales, our goal is to protect your interest through it all.
We understand that purchasing a yacht or buying yachts for sale in Florida can be just as difficult and high pressure as purchasing a home. With a home, you hire a broker, and with a yacht, the same logic is applied. A yacht broker can help you through the whole buying process so you don’t get duped and find the best yacht for your needs. There are so many advantages to going through the buying process with a buyer’s agent. As your “Buyers Agent,” we will protect your interest throughout the entire purchase process.
Scroll on to find the reasons you need a broker’s help to buy a boat.
1. They Understand Laws and Regulations
Brokers understand the legal jargon and laws around owning a yacht. A broker can help you identify if you need to pay vessel sales tax on your purchase and they’ll be able to advise you on the transfer process. With a broker, they’ll help you gather the paperwork you need to become the owner of the boat. They’ll also be able to help you with any bumps in the road when it comes to sales. For example, if you’re purchasing a boat that’s registered in a foreign country and not the U.S., you may need to consider filling out extra paperwork and fees to pay.
2. Customer Service Is High-Quality
Your broker will help you identify your needs and wants in a yacht and spend their time reviewing with you before you even start looking at boats. You can relax on the research while they simplify it for you and find a vessel that supports your needs. Most brokers will typically view the yacht before showing it to you. This way, they can prevent scams, sketchy sellers, and yachts that you’re not wanting at all.
Under contract with you, the broker will schedule a test run on the sea for you. All you need to do at that point is show up and view the boat. The experienced broker will know what yacht to show you so that the viewing process is quick and painless. They’ll also aid you on the sea trial and see if it’s a good fit for you. They may also be able to help you with an issue during the survey and see if it’s a deal breaker or perhaps an easy fix.
3. They Assist with Negotiations
When it comes time to pay, your broker will help you make the offer and go through negotiations. The broker will break down to brass tax, go over what’s feasible and what’s not and help you understand if your boat is being over or underpriced. They’ll craft the offer for you and go over any unconventional contract items or unusual terms of the sale. A broker will also check before the sale to ensure there are no delinquent property taxes on the yacht.
4. They’ll Set Up an Escrow
Brokers do all the escrow work for you and set it up so that the money doesn’t even reach the seller until the conditions of the sale are agreed upon and met. This way, you don’t pay for a boat with delinquent property taxes or other fees you weren’t aware of.
5. They’ll Help with Loans and Insurance
Before the sale occurs, your broker can assist in finding the perfect loan for your needs and the perfect marine insurer. Before you buy, it’s in your best interest to get pre-approved for a loan.
6. They’ll Help Post-Purchase
Your broker will ensure you have an accurate record of the sale and that the boat is properly valued. If this is the first yacht you’re purchasing, they’ll recommend some yachting classes you can take, the best destinations for your first adventure on the sea, and which boat clubs to join.
7. They’ll Do It for Free… at First
Brokers will typically do their work for you with zero direct fees being paid by you, the buyer. They get paid off their commission. Essentially, you’re still paying the broker, it’s just built into the price of the yacht. The commission our broker receives is typically 10% of the purchase price, whether you have a broker or not. So get that broker to help you out, might as well if 10% is being taken off.
Here are some other ways brokers can help:
- They’ll listen and get to know you better.
- They’ll search for vessels that meet your criteria and are worth looking into.
- They’ll research competitive market pricing and record actual sale amounts.
- They’ll help guide you and negotiate a fair deal.
- They’ll provide and assist you in identifying competent professional hull and engine surveyors.
- They’ll coordinate schedules for the survey, and schedule short haul with the boat yard.
- They’ll hold escrow funds in an Aspire Yacht Sales escrow account (if you choose to go with Aspire)
- They’ll perform a title search, and order USGC abstract of title on documented vessels; a $50.00 fee.
- They’ll prepare official closing documents and electronically archive these documents after closing.
- They’ll ensure that any liens against the vessel are satisfied prior to the seller receiving proceeds.
- They’ll advise on sales tax laws that vary by state.
- They’ll assist with USCG documentation application & state registration paperwork for clients to register vessels and secure proper deletion of registry on foreign-flagged vessels.
- They’ll provide finance and insurance options.
- They’ll Advise on shipping options where applicable.
- They’ll ensure all transactions will comply with IYBA standards & code of ethics.
It’s worth it to get a broker that can help you through the entire buying process of yacht sales in Florida, especially if it’s your first time buying yachts for sale in Fort Lauderdale. If you’re interested in taking the next step to buying a yacht, contact Aspire Yacht Sales today, and we’ll assist you in making your boating dreams a reality.
