To Use a Broker or Sell Direct?

I'd definitely do that. Those folks are looking for 100% freshwater boats as well. But I do wonder the appeal of a gas boat on a body of water that size. That's almost ocean territory up there.
 
copb8tx said:
I'd definitely do that. Those folks are looking for 100% freshwater boats as well. But I do wonder the appeal of a gas boat on a body of water that size. That's almost ocean territory up there.
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It's a small...but elite :) group of people on the Great Lakes that can tolerate the constant abuse we receive from the diesel crowds. Builds thick skin.

I saw 3 2006-2008 440 Sundancers on boattrader a few weeks back. All gas. My first thought was "no way I could show up to ClubSeaRay with a gas powered 440".
 
Most of the 'hate' comes from the coasties :)

I get it from their perspective though. On the lakes I mentioned earlier I'll bet 80% of the 420/44's are gassers.
 
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We had an older 420 DA with 454s years ago. I loved that boat. No issues with it being underpowered, Cruise was low 20s wot right at 29.
 
copb8tx said:
facebook market place hasn't really been on my radar but it doesn't hurt to give it a try. I don't know if it's just me and my 61 year old head (even though I'm in the technology business) but it has always felt unintuitive and featureless to me.
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I had over 80 hit in one hour, definitely worth a try doesn't cost anything.
 
When I sold the 36DBb I listed it with a large broker the salesman asked me to “come down and explain the boat to the buyer since I really knew the boat” I was the salesman literally the boat sold in 24 hours of listing and I had to pay them $15,000 for an online ad basically. I’d try selling it yourself maybe even pay a buddy to show the boat if your not available.
 
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something to think about....... Clear the secured party before you sell your documented boat. This way you are selling an unencumbered asset with no secured other party. It does take a month or two for the paperwork to clear but do that in the winter before you are dealing with serious buyers who are pre approved to buy. Also, keep in mind the opportunity costs of owning your boat for another year if you price it too high because it is the cleanest, best, most spectacular boat of its class on the market. Insurance premiums, slip fees, storage fees, seasonal maintenance fees, mortgage payments all reoccur, so you are trading dollars spent with the broker . Ownership costs go away once you sell. A good broker will provide some offsetting cost savings in addition to other marketing services. We just went through this with the sale of our lakefront home. Our seller concessions were gladly given as they were less than the real estate taxes and yard maintenance service costs we would have incurred had we held out for the last dollar of selling price.
 
Havana Shamrock said:
When I sold the 36DBb I listed it with a large broker the salesman asked me to “come down and explain the boat to the buyer since I really knew the boat” I was the salesman literally the boat sold in 24 hours of listing and I had to pay them $15,000 for an online ad basically. I’d try selling it yourself maybe even pay a buddy to show the boat if your not available.
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I agree 100% Nobody knows your but like you do and usually knowbody wants to sell your boat like you do. Sold my last boat all by myself, buyer showed up with a broker and I told the buyer the broker is his $$$ problem.
 
Again, as a broker, I don't want the seller around during a showing. I do like, however having seller and buyer there for survey. Reason being, example, only half the 120 volt system working when survey starts, seller goes to that obscure cabinet "we" all know exists, where the GFI is located and resets it in 30 seconds. The buyer does not have an hour worrying what's wrong with the boat.
 
sbw1 said:
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something to think about....... Clear the secured party before you sell your documented boat. This way you are selling an unencumbered asset with no secured other party. It does take a month or two for the paperwork to clear but do that in the winter before you are dealing with serious buyers who are pre approved to buy. Also, keep in mind the opportunity costs of owning your boat for another year if you price it too high because it is the cleanest, best, most spectacular boat of its class on the market. Insurance premiums, slip fees, storage fees, seasonal maintenance fees, mortgage payments all reoccur, so you are trading dollars spent with the broker . Ownership costs go away once you sell. A good broker will provide some offsetting cost savings in addition to other marketing services. We just went through this with the sale of our lakefront home. Our seller concessions were gladly given as they were less than the real estate taxes and yard maintenance service costs we would have incurred had we held out for the last dollar of selling price.
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Boat is free and clear so the transaction should be easy.

Now here's the best part. If I don't sell it I get to use it all summer! :):):)

Slip is paid through the end of August. The sale at this point is really a 'if it sells it sells' kind of thing. I'm still 20-30% unsure I want to sell it. I love this boat. My biggest issue is those darn grandkids (who I love being around) have stolen my wife and now she's less inclined to come up and spend each weekend with me during the summer.
 
copb8tx said:
Boat is free and clear so the transaction should be easy.

Now here's the best part. If I don't sell it I get to use it all summer! :):):)

Slip is paid through the end of August. The sale at this point is really a 'if it sells it sells' kind of thing. I'm still 20-30% unsure I want to sell it. I love this boat. My biggest issue is those darn grandkids (who I love being around) have stolen my wife and now she's less inclined to come up and spend each weekend with me during the summer.
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There will always be time for another boat. Grandkids visit for just a short period of time before sports, and school activities make visits harder. Eventually the grandkids come back so make sure the boat you own at that time is big enough for the entire crew.
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You passed on a tri-toon????? What were you thinking???

I'm 75 miles from my boat and a pleasant drive. I really liked the suggestion on having an open-house day. If someone isn't willing to adjust their schedule a few days for a $200K purchase then they're probably not that serious anyway.
 
Oh, and as mentioned earlier in the thread. I've sold many items over the internet myself, up to and including $80K+ cars. I'm pretty familiar with all the crazies who contact you. If someone contacts me without some pertinent questions regarding the item I don't even respond. So if you want my boat don't send me a simple "still available?" or "I want to buy your <insert full ad title here>"
 
bahamabreisus said:
FYI, I am a broker and am willing to assist with any questions you might have. I am also 1000 plus miles away from you, so I am not trying to get a listing. Again, FYI, only 2 gas powered 420s were sold from 01/20, so I think you will find a good broker will have you listed all over the world. I know 10% sounds high, #1 having a middleman to negotiate for you will typically net you more $, broker has no emotional involvement. #2 Multiple showings to tire kickers on a Saturday get old fast for you. #3 A "good" broker, interview and get references, will handle escrow deposits, banking issues for buyer and seller. #4 Proper transfer of ownership. Again, just wanted to offer assistance.
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Well said, Being a Real Estate broker the same rules apply. Not sure why brokers no longer prequalify buyers just one of my pet peeves.
 
One other thought. Get all your "stuff" off the boat. Every cabinet, locker, the bilge cleaned out. Can't tell you how many boats I have looked at over the years that were not cleaned out - but a lot.

If the cabinets and drawers are empty - looks like a lot of storage. If they are packed with stuff, creates a different perception.
 
chuck1 said:
Well said, Being a Real Estate broker the same rules apply. Not sure why brokers no longer prequalify buyers just one of my pet peeves.
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No Offense to boat brokers but Real estate brokers have way more legal liability and paperwork to wade through than boat brokers and they typically only charge 6 percent or less. Sorry but you boat brokers make a lot of money for what you actually do. I know that you may only have a few sales a year as opposed to a real estate broker but that's no excuse for charging what you do IMHO. I know that most of the time the commission gets split 4 ways and buyer brokers won't call on a listing if there isn't a 10% listing fee. The industry is to blame not individual brokers. You do perform a valuable service and there are some very professional actors out there, I know and respect a number of you. Its just a big check to write for what in my experience is pretty minimal effort.
Carpe Diem
 
Havana Shamrock said:
When I sold the 36DBb I listed it with a large broker the salesman asked me to “come down and explain the boat to the buyer since I really knew the boat” I was the salesman literally the boat sold in 24 hours of listing and I had to pay them $15,000 for an online ad basically. I’d try selling it yourself maybe even pay a buddy to show the boat if your not available.
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I worked with a broker to sell my 270 AJ. He had lined a showing with an out-of-town buyer who changed their schedule last minute. My broker couldn't make it, so to keep everyone happy he proposed a 50% reduction in the commission if I showed the boat and they bought it. He felt really badly, but I thought that was a decent compromise. That's one of the reasons I went back when I was in the market again.
 
FootballFan said:
One other thought. Get all your "stuff" off the boat. Every cabinet, locker, the bilge cleaned out. Can't tell you how many boats I have looked at over the years that were not cleaned out - but a lot.

If the cabinets and drawers are empty - looks like a lot of storage. If they are packed with stuff, creates a different perception.
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Will definitely do this. I always do a face plant when I see someone selling their $100K+ boats and the pictures include unmade beds, toothbrushes, etc.? When I post picks it'll be pristine and ready for move-in.
 
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