People planning to buy apartments and houses in Nepal have only two options right now--either approach developers directly or turn to unauthorized brokers who are unaccountable to anyone. Getting the much-needed genuine information and advice on property is almost impossible. But this situation could soon end, if the latest endeavor of Brihat Investment, a real estate promoting company, moves ahead as has planned. The company has, in the first undertaking of its kind in Nepal, produced 15 certified real estate marketing agents, after the company organized a six-day-long realtor training course. “The agents are well versed on subjects like structure, design, the government´s codes and standards, and product specifications and details-- knowledge that must be disseminated to buyers if the buyers are to make the right, informed decisions,” said the organizer. Apart from developing qualified marketing manpower, the company has also pushed for the recognition and registration of its marketing agents. Mainly, the company has asked the government to bring in regulations that pave the way for the licensing and registration of the agents, the formulation of a code of conduct for their operations agents, and methods to make them accountable for deals they broker at legally stipulated commission rates. “This is extremely necessary for developing the marketing chain and expanding the reach of the real estate business,” said Om Rajbhandari, chairman of Brihat Investments and also the chief of the Comfort Housing. Officials of the Nepal Land and Housing Developers´ Association have also welcomed Brihat´s ideas. They hold the view that the production of the first batch of realty marketing agents will help solve some of the problems created by the present lack of a marketing chain in the real estate business. This will largely ease the operations of the developers, said the officials. In a function held on Friday to commemorate the first batch of marketing agents´ finishing the training course, Constituent Assembly Member Navindra Raj Joshi handed over certifications to the 15 trained agents, 12 of whom were female. Most of the newly certified agents are wives of well-established businessmen. “We hope the entry of educated and socially recognized personalities will facilitate the ethical growth of the sector and raise the esteem of the realty marketing business,” said Ekta Jajodia Budhiya, one of the certified agents.
Source: Republica