Seeking Advice on Buying Process. Best Proceedure?

[3Eagles]

Hello world, I've decided what exact make and model Catamaran I want to buy and now I need some advice on what to do next. I've scanned the postings at yachtworld.com and have my eye on one or two, so now what?

I guess I would like to find an agent that can look at the boat on my behalf (as I am clearly no expert) but how do I find one that looks after my interests and not the broker? Know of one in the Caribbean or Florida that you trust? And should I initiate the call with the broker or let him do it for me? At what point should I start discussing money and negotiating to see where this is willing to go? Any advice on the buying process would be very helpful!

Thanks everyone for posting so much wonderful advice...

[ldrhawke]

4 Easy Steps to Buying your Yacht

This is one of many brokers that can help you and a simple outline of the normal steps in purchasing a yacht.

[Ex-Calif]

You can do it without a broker, you can do it with the seller's broker only and you can do it with two broker's (see how simple this will be - LOL)

The elements as I see it are

1/ Express an interest in the boat - execute a non-binding sales agreement that allows you to go to the next steps. At this point the sales agreement may require a refundable (conditionally) donwpament.

2/ Establish an escrow - many banks and credit unions offer escrow service. You put the money in a bank and the conditions on when and who to the money gets disbursed is established.

2/ Once an initial price and agreement is in place the sales agreement should specify the terms of survey and sea trial - how much time you have to do it and what the limits are if any.

3/ Do the survey and sea trial at your cost

4/ Establish if there are items on the survey that would adjust the value of the boat - negotiate the final price.

5/ Execute the bill of sale and finalize the sales agreement.