Real Estate Tips #2: How do you identify a Registered Estate Agent?

To answer the questions i posted yesterday, i'm going to share with you few easy steps to identify a registered estate agent (REA):

(1) Namecard
- identify their position, if it says negotiator, it means he/she is a real estate sales person engaged by a REA, if it says principal, meaning he/she is the license holder themself.

- Check their E Number. Basically in this industry, we are made compulsory to put in our company registration number under Ministry of Finance, which we call E number. There are 2 types of E numbers you may find, i.e. one company E number (e.g. E(3)0077 for Tiram Realty) and also personal E number ( e.g. E1690 for Lim Boon Ping).

(2) Call the office
Do call up the office number on the namecard to verify the personnel is the actual employee from the real estate agency

(3) Search the E number with the Board of Valuers' Website
You can always do a Search for E number for verification at the Board of Valuers's website, i.e. www.lppeh.gov.my, as some registrant's licensed might have lapsed or suspended for many reasons.

Whenever you deal with a registered estate agent or negotiator, ALWAYS write your cheques in favour of the COMPAMY'S NAME only. I repeat, NEVER write your cheques, be it earnest money, commission or other kinds of payments related to the transaction in favour of PERSONNAL NAME, this is to safeguard your interest and to ensure all your money is well indemnified by the insurance company.