In every initial consultation, the same doubts come up. These are reasonable questions that deserve a straightforward answer — not sales language.
Why this article exists
Most professional service websites explain what they do but avoid addressing what the client actually wants to know before committing: exactly how much it costs, whether it makes sense for their specific situation, what happens if nothing is found, whether they could do it themselves.
I’d rather answer those questions here, clearly, so that anyone arriving at the first meeting already knows what to expect.
What never happens: receiving payment from the seller or the selling agency. If that were the case, we’d be looking at a conflict of interest that makes it impossible to truly represent the buyer. Our fees are paid by the buyer because we work exclusively for them.
Does it make sense for my budget?
It depends on the market and the context. In general, a PSI pays for itself if the negotiation achieves a real discount on the asking price, if it prevents a purchase with hidden problems that would have cost far more to fix later, or if it gives access to a property the buyer wouldn’t have found on their own.
In Madrid, where the average discount on asking price is around 4–7% and can reach 12–15% in favourable situations, professional negotiation on a €400,000 transaction can represent between €16,000 and €60,000 in savings. It’s a calculation worth doing before making a decision.
Can I do this on my own?
Yes, of course you can. Many people buy without a PSI and it goes well. The relevant question isn’t whether you can do it alone, but whether you want to take on the full weight of the process yourself: the active search, the analysis of each property, the negotiation, the legal and technical due diligence, the coordination from reservation through to completion.
And if the answer is yes, it’s also worth knowing that without access to the off-market, without a professional network in the sector, and without real sales data to negotiate with, you’ll start any transaction with less information than the other side.
What happens if nothing is found?
That’s a fair question. The answer depends on what was agreed in the engagement. In general, if the active search process during the agreed period doesn’t produce results that meet the brief’s criteria, the mandate is reviewed jointly: do the criteria need adjusting, the budget expanding, the area changing — or is it simply a matter of waiting for a more favourable market moment?
What never happens is pressure on the client to buy something that doesn’t fit, just to close the engagement. That would be exactly the opposite of what the service promises.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the market and the criteria. In Madrid, for a standard buyer profile with clear criteria and a defined budget, the process from the start of the active search to a closed transaction is typically between 6 and 16 weeks. Very specific profiles or very tight budgets for the target area may take longer.
What can be managed is arriving prepared: financing defined, criteria clear, and the ability to act quickly when the right opportunity appears.
| THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS CONVERSATION |
| If after reading this you’re unsure whether the service makes sense for your situation, the fastest way to find out is a 20–30 minute conversation. No commitment, no obligation—and by the end of it, you’ll know exactly whether it makes sense for you. |
