OUR ADVICE
We are happy to offer you our advice!
Why use a broker to sell your boat?
Once you have decided to sell your boat, you must decide whether to sell the boat yourself or work through a broker. Boat brokers are similar to real estate agents in that they do not take actual possession of the property, but serve as agents to bring buyers and sellers together. Just like real estate agents, boat brokers earn a commission once the boat is sold. The average commission is right around 10%, but at Big Water Boat Broker, ours is just 8%.
Our goal is to find you a buyer in a timely manner by advertising the vessel to qualified prospective buyers; and, quite often we may know of a buyer before your boat listing goes online.
If you decide to engage Big Water Boats to sell your boat, we strongly encourage you to keep the vessel clean and ready to show on short notice. We will also keep you up-to-date on the feedback we receive about your vessel.
Do we co-broker?
We gladly co-broker. Yacht brokers work much like real estate agents; they work hard to facilitate the sale of their listings and to protect and promote the interests of their clients. If another broker brings a buyer to the table on a co-brokerage arrangement, the total commission will generally be shared between the brokers. The top producing professional yacht brokers work together on a daily basis, and we are happy to do so.
We also understand that we have a fiduciary duty to our clients to present ALL offers to purchase, even those originating through other professional yacht brokerage companies. To list your boat with us, please click here and complete the form.
What is our commission policy?
Once your boat is listed with Big Water Boat Broker, you are responsible for paying the 8% commission, or $800 should the commission be less than $800, whether it is sold by Big Water Boat Broker, or someone else utilizing Big Water’s website for generating the sale.
How long is the typical listing agreement?
One year, unless negotiated otherwise at the time of the listing.
How long is the average boat on the market?
The amount of time a boat is on the market depends on factors such as the economy, pricing, and marketing. Generally more expensive, larger boats are on the market longer than less expensive, smaller boats.
What should I look for when buying a boat?
There are many factors to consider and each answer is individualized to the buyer.
Ask yourself a few questions when deciding the the type of boat to purchase:
1. What activities do you wish to do on the boat? Do you plan to fish or ski? What activities are most important to you?
2. How many people will be boating with you?
3. Are you planning on sleeping aboard the boat? Do you want a cover to get away from the elements?
4. Will you be trailering the boat and what is the trailering capacity of your car or truck?
You may want to spend time on a rental boat or a friend’s boat to experience certain styles and features and to decide the right boat for you.
