Buyer's Broker Recommendations?

[betachz]

I'm in Texas and want to start looking at boats in the Florida area. We will be moving to Florida to live aboard in or around September 2012. I need help finding a good / reputable / friendly / buyer's broker to represent me and my wife and start looking for boats in that area that meet my criteria. If you have any recommendations, please let me know! I would appreciate no one recommend themselves as that would be a tad bit biased Thanks!

[Noname]

Anywhere between Jacksonville and Pensacola??

[betachz]

Originally Posted by Seaduction

Anywhere between Jacksonville and Pensacola??

You know, honestly, we've not decided on a spot in Florida yet. Probably central Florida though, so we can go in any direction within 5 hours to see a boat.

[Noname]

We like the Indian River Lagoon area between Titusville and Sebastian, Fl. Don't know of brokers nearby though.

[betachz]

Originally Posted by betachz

You know, honestly, we've not decided on a spot in Florida yet. Probably central Florida though, so we can go in any direction within 5 hours to see a boat.

To be clear, We're looking to live aboard full time. We're going to Florida to buy the boat and then go wherever. Not looking to live in any particular place in Florida.

We just need someone to help us look for a boat.

[bevcory]

Catamaran or monohull?

[betachz]

Originally Posted by bevcory

Catamaran or monohull?

Mono, however, does it really matter when deciding on a broker?

[bevcory]

I am dealing with a buyer broker through Multihull Company, which is why I asked. He is doing a great job for me (though I am probably driving him crazy) but he probably is not suitable for your needs,

[Tony B]

What is a "Buyers Broker"?
Is it just a broker that you are in touch with to help find you a boat where typically the seller pays the commission or are you paying a Buyers Broker a finders fee? I have heard the term before, but don't know exactly what it is.

[Sand crab]

A buyers broker is supposed to represent the buyers interests and hold those conversations between you and him private. Just like in real estate. It costs the same commission either way so you might as well get one. There are a couple of outfits that specialize in multis so it might make a difference if you were leaning that way. Likewise you wouldn't neccesarily want a power boat guy for your sailboat. Or vice versa.

[Rob Froese]

Indiantown marina is located on the Okeechobee canal just a few miles from Lake Okeechobee on the Atlantic side, pretty central. The marina has a DIY work area in the back you can have your boat hauled to if it needs work. Best of all , you can live on the boat while working on it in the work area or while in the marina. They also have a place to park a trailer or RV if you choose. The marina has a broker there named " Dennis Dodge". Great guy. Helped us with our purchase. The marina has a website , you can find Dennis through them.

[casual]

Bill Martz United Yacht Sales Stuart Fl.Sold my boat to the first looker,Handled it well absolutely no problems.NO i,don't get a finders fee,our dogs play together.

[TJR]

Al Pollack, Massey Yachts. masseyyachts.com

He is in St. Pete. As honest as they come, will not let you buy a bad boat. Service minded also., I can still call him years post sale.

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by betachz

......I need help finding a good / reputable / friendly / buyer's broker to represent me and my wife and start looking for boats in that area .......

Question: Do you pay the broker any kind of finders fee?

I have used a regular Broker in Tampa Bay area that had a listing for the boat I was looking for. I was down in Rockport, Tx and he was in Tampa Bay - Approx 1200 miles away. I asked him about the boat and he gave a detailed description over the phone. I made an offer and he brought it to his client, she agreed. I asked that he not show the boat for the next 3 days giving me time to get there. We set a time and place. When we got there and looked at the boat, it was exactly as described including the all of the scratches. We agreed to proceed ahead. We hired a surveyor from a list the broker had given us. There were a few issues and the broker got the seller to agree to fix them. One month later, we owned the boat. sailed it across the Gulf to Galveston Bay. No major issues yet and that was 6 years ago.
All I can say is that he was 100% honest and so was the surveyor.
If you would like, I can look up their phone numbers. He is just an honest broker. I'm sure if you are looking for something he florida, he has hundreds of listings. Brokers have central lists of sorts.

[bevcory]

No the buyer broker gets no fee for finding you a boat and organising a sale. He gets his fee from the commission of the sale of the boat from the seller and listing broker.
The risk is you could get a dodgy broker, but research the broker first. If they have a good hidtory they are well worth the effort. I would be lost without mine. He is currently negotiating hard for me but if this one falls through, I know he will keep looking for me. He has picked exactly what I was looking for.