Seller's Yacht Broker Checklist
The decision to sell your boat is a very emotional event. You have had many hours of pleasure with her and painstakingly maintained her. You have made memories that will last a lifetime. When it comes to Broker boat sales, the trusted name is Paradise Yachts, your full service Sellers Yacht Broker, the leader in used boats sales and marketing boats for sale.
At Paradise Yachts, we are an independent Brokerage that sells used boats and yachts. We don't deal with new boats which would create a conflict of interest. We specialize in providing you and your boat, personal service. We principally serve customers in Florida and Georgia but I do travel to Alabama, and South Carolina for a good boat.
As a boat owner myself, I know exactly what you are going through. Let me show you how I will help you find your boat a new home.
Guide to Choosing a Seller's Yacht Broker that has Your Best Interest in Mind.
Before you choose a Yacht Broker to represent you, here are some things to ask .
1. Do you co-Broker with other Yacht Brokers that have a buyer that might buy my boat? Can I get it in writing?
- We have it in our listing agreement, line 4, we always co-broke with other Yacht Brokers.
2. How accessible are you going to be to me, buyers and other Yacht Brokers?
- We make calls frequently to other Yacht Brokers and wait for days to hear back from them. My Android and computer are always on; you can reach me if you need too; so can buyers!
3. Do you and your staff work at selling boats full time or is Brokerage just a hobby?
4. How long does your listing agreement last? Can I get out of it if I wish to?
- Good question; at Paradise Yachts, our listing agreement is prepared for an initial 180 days. If you like our service we continue marketing; if not we release you at your request. Most brokerage listing agreements have a notification clause in fine print that says you must give them a 90-120 day written notice before you will be released. At Paradise Yachts, our policy is that if you are not happy with our services, we will release you at any time at your request after the initial period.
4. How do you go about marketing my boat?
- It's a known fact that today's boat buyers shop the Internet almost exclusively for their boats. You are here!
- This Paradise Yachts website that you are viewing today is on over 733 marine related directories. It has been indexed by all of the major search engines including Google, Yahoo, Bing, Dogpile, and others. Approximately 63% of our visitors reach us through a search engine.
- This website has more views monthly, about 11000 more, than our Yachtworld website, confirming our ongoing intense Internet optimization process. We frequently have over 24,000 visits to this site monthly.
- This website can be Googled and found on page 1 for "used trawlers", "used motor yachts", "used cruisers", and many other search terms. Perhaps that is how you found us?
- Your boat will appear on Google page one, guaranteed. Want to see it in action real time on Google? Search Google for Used 1999 Silverton 453; you'll get one of the boats on this website on page 1.
- International marketing is a big issue to us; it produces customers. Do you know that we have had visitors from as many as 78 countries already this year from countries such as Australia, Norway, Canada, France, Finland, New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, and Germany on this website, just to name a few?
- If you view one of our presentations here at this website, you will see boats with large, clear photographs, custom displays of boats, videos and detailed descriptions. Do other Yacht Brokers use this level of marketing to showcase boats and yachts for sale?
- We maintain an email marketing list of several thousand boaters, most of whom are buyers. On a monthly basis we email these customers with a newsletter about new boats on the market, price changes, boating headlines and other topics of interest. Your boat will be seen here.
- We maintain a Blog to help educate new customers to the boating community; your boat will be featured there too. .
- We also maintain a Paradise Yachts presence on Face Book, the social media website where we interact with other boaters; many of our fans are boat buyers looking to find the right boat. In addition, we also participate in 61 other social bookmarking sites with the sole intention of bringing the buying traffic to your boat.
5. How will you arrange to show my boat to prospective buyers and other Yacht Brokers?
- If I list your boat I will personally show your boat to prospects. I work for my commission so you don't have to.
6. How will you keep me informed of the progress of your marketing?
- At Paradise Yachts we frequently hear how other Yacht Brokers get a listing and never let customers know how things are coming along. You will hear from me regularly; I like sending you an email about every 6 weeks outlining how I see the general market, how many boats like yours have sold and at what price, what the prices are with boats like yours on the market, if any boats like your have entered the market and what if any recommendations I have to improve our marketing.
7. How many boats do you keep in inventory?
- Now this seems like a reasonable question but what relevance does it have? I like to maintain from 25-35 boats in my listing inventory. With this number, I can keep track of each boat's monthly progress, review the traffic she's getting, research what other boats like her are selling for and keep you informed of her progress.
8. What do you really know about yachts; have you ever owned one?
- I have sold more than one boat because the buyer did his research and sought me out because he knew I personally own a trawler; you can visit her here. The buyer sought me out because of my boat ownership and knowledge. I could talk the talk with him .
9. Will you help me determine the best price?
- We help you establish fair-market value for your boat through access to actual sold boat data found in data sources not available to the public. If you call any used car dealer or bank in North America and name any production automobile, they will quote a value of within a few dollars of each other. This is due to the multi-billion dollar, organized wholesale car auction system. With over 15,848 boat manufacturers (USCG Listings) represented in North America there is no such market for boats and the older a boat gets the bigger the price discrepancies. A boat is only worth what you are willing to take and a buyer is willing to give. I research what the boat you are selling has been bringing to help you arrive at a fair price.
10. Will you be with me during the survey and sea trial?
- Absolutely, your buyer will usually request a sea trial and the services of a marine surveyor. Buyers pay for the surveys and for hauling the boat out of the water for inspection. I will guide you in the preparation of your boat for survey, attend the sea trial and marine survey to help you determine how any discovered deficiencies should be addressed in the purchase negotiations.
11. Full Service - Discounted Commission Schedule
- The industry commission standard is 10% of the gross selling price of the vessel. However we offer a Full-Service/Discounted Commission Schedule that can save you thousands. Call us and we can discuss the details with you.
12. Are you required to be licensed, bonded and insured?
- Yes, I am licensed by the State of Florida, bonded and carry 2 million in liability insurance.
Summary - Paradise Yachts Provides Value to its Customers
The reasons you should choose Paradise Yachts to represent you and your boat are:
- Personal Service - We strive to treat you as a friend, rather than just another number. We go out of our way to help you "Get the Results You Want" Read customers testimonials about our services.
- Customer First - Our goal is to sell your boat, not get the commission. We have your best interests in mind. We'll never turn away a prospective buyer because of our own personal wants.
- Communication - As we market your boat, we’ll keep in you informed of the interest we’re seeing. You’ll hear from us regularly. We want you to know we’re working for you!
- Convenience - Your boat stays where you wish to keep it. We come to you. We don't ask you to bring it to our marina.
- Marketing - With one of the most aggressive marketing campaigns in the industry, we get your boat out for the public to see. In addition, Paradise Yachts seeks out buyers rather than simply waiting for them to find us.
- Product Focus - We only sell used boats and yachts. A new yacht inventory is a conflict of interest taking our time away from your boat.
