What a property dealer actually does
A property dealer connects buyers and sellers and takes a commission, usually from one or both sides. A real estate agency or property consultant does the same job with more of the surrounding work: checking the paperwork, advising on price and managing the transfer. The labels overlap in practice, so judge by what the dealer actually does for you, not by the sign on the door.
Check these before you trust a dealer
- Ask whether the business is a registered company and ask to see the registration. A shop front is not proof of registration.
- Ask who the registered owner of the plot or file is, and ask to see the allotment or transfer documents in that person's name. A dealer should never be unable to tell you whose plot it is.
- Meet the seller, or have the seller confirmed directly, before any payment. Never pay only on a dealer's word.
- Get the commission and every other cost in writing before you agree to anything, including transfer fees and any taxes.
- Confirm the sector's transfer status and the plot's exact location and category with DHA, not only with the dealer.
- Pay by traceable bank transfer and keep every receipt. Be wary of anyone who insists on cash.
Red flags
- Pressure to pay a token amount today because someone else is about to buy.
- A price well below what comparable plots are asking, with no clear reason.
- Reluctance to show documents or to let you verify the seller.
- Vague answers about dues, the No Demand Certificate or transfer charges.
- A verbal promise on anything that is not in the written agreement.
Dealer, agency or consultant: does it matter?
The title matters less than the process. A registered real estate agency that verifies the seller, puts costs in writing and manages the transfer gives you more protection than an informal dealer, however friendly. That said, a good individual dealer who follows the same checks is fine. Use the list above on whoever you deal with.
How we work
AD Real Estate is a registered real estate agency, property advisory and dealer in DHA Phase 5. Before a client commits we verify the seller, the No Demand Certificate, the sector's transfer status and the plot's location and category, put the full cost breakdown in writing, and manage the transfer. If you are weighing a specific plot or a dealer's offer, send us the details and we will tell you what we would check.
This guide is general information. Procedures and charges change over time, so confirm current requirements with DHA or an advisor before you pay.