After looking at a number of houses, finally came across a house that we really like, but I’m already stuck at step of signing the booking form. For the agency’s credibility, I couldn’t find it in google, but it’s still an active agency in BOVEAP. Should i continue buying the house with this agency? I thought of giving a call to confirm whether this agent still works at the company but now I’m just doubting the credibility of this agency. And about the agent’s credibility, he did tell me that I could cheque in/bank in to his agency company, but the payment needs to be done after I sign the booking form. In my mind, I thought the usual process is that me/buyer and the owner/seller would sit down, look through and amend the booking t&c, and to come up with an inventory list of what the owner wants to take/leave. When both of us are satisfied, then only we sign on each of our booking form, then only I give the 3% cheque to the company. Am I wrong in this?

Last month when i purchased my first unit, i requested the agent to invite the seller / owner along to discuss on the inventory list and go through the T&C. But in some cases, maybe the seller/owner is not in Malaysia?

Inventory list can be prepared alongside the booking form by the agent. Once the form is signed, then 3% has to be deposited to the company's account.

As long as the agency is still active and validly registered, I think it should be fine. Just make sure any payment is to the agency itself and not the agent and keep the payment record. The booking t&c is usually pretty standard and any special condition such as subject to bank loan, sale with inventory etc. will have to be added in by the agent for you. Seller wont sit down to go through the booking form with you. I doubt the agent will bring seller along too (what if you bypass the agent and deal directly with the seller?). If in doubt, get a lawyer to help you look at the booking form first

i doubt any agent stupid enough to bring both seller and buyer to meet up together.

every agent i know that made that mistake got conned and both parties deal with each other and agent left empty handed.

as long the agency is registered should be no problem.

sometimes negotiator never renew the REN, so they will use someone else's valid REN.

you're not paying booking fee to the agent's personal account, you're paying to the agency , which is still registered.

credibility of agency is not accurate, it's usually the agent themselves.

Thanks a lot for the replies, i just worry too much to the point that BOVEAP doesnt give the most updated details whether the agency is registered or not because the 3% deposit is still quite a lot of money.

The owner is still living at his house.

The agent finally agreed to setup an inventory list before I sign the booking form and also mention he will take pictures of it for future attachment with the SPA.

I see.. so that's why the agent is so reluctant about me wanting to meet the owner of the house even though i have repeatedly told him that i need him as a witness for the inventory list. Is there any way to give him assurance that I will still go through him in buying this house?

I really want to go to the owner's house (with the agent) because i want to see the furnitures mentioned in the inventory list for myself, and me taking the pics instead of him. Because.. i dont want to do extra work to remove the broken furnitures in my house, and if the agent is the one taking the pics, it could be any other house's furniture right?

if you have already paid the booking to the real estate agency, then im sure the agent is ok to let u meet the owner since the commission that owner need to pay is already with the agency.

I don't think he has paid the booking fee at this point.

ah yep, i havent placed the booking fee yet, i wanted to make sure that the fixtures and fittings is written out black and white before i sign and give the booking fee since this "fixture and fittings" is part of the clause in the booking form.


and just some updates, agent agreed to list down and took pictures of the fixtures and fittings and so we all went to the house again to double check if we really like the house and took pics. Agent probably agreed to do so partly cuz i kept insisting i need the list before I sign as well as getting a lawyer to look through the booking form and also be a witness while we sign the booking form. So.. this part is done.

and just want some opinions about... whether it's normal that im obligated to use their panel bankers? cuz there's this clause "SUBJECT TO ANY BANK LOAN APPROVAL AT 90% MARGIN (WITHIN XX WORKING DAYS) IN THE EVENT REJECTION LETTER PROVIDED BY OUR PANEL BANKER, EARNEST DEPOSIT SHALL......" Or if anyone experienced this and could share so I could decide whether i should also include this into my discussion during signing booking form between me, lawyer and agent.
Cuz im just worried im offered a much higher rate or forced to buy both MRTA and MLTA to lower the rate though idk what's the possibility of these scenarios taking place or any other bad scenarios, sorry Im such a anxious person

Not obligated to use their panel bankers. Better remove the word "OUR PANEL"

thanks a lot for the reply LazyCat666

and just wondering.. is it normal/safe to use online banking to give the 3% deposit to the agency? as well as the 7% to the lawyer firm?

No issues with online banking specifically. In fact recommended because got paper trail (online receipt) and is faster than cheque.