Real estate agent in Goiânia: how to choose someone you can trust

People who plan to buy property in Goiânia usually start on a listings portal or on Instagram. In a few minutes, dozens of agents show up offering the same apartment. Then comes the question: who should I talk to?

The answer has less to do with the sales pitch and more to do with the quality of the answers. Here is what is worth checking.

Check the license before any conversation

In Brazil, only people registered with CRECI, the Regional Council of Real Estate Brokers, can broker property sales. The profession is regulated by Law 6,530 of 1978 (in Portuguese).

Every agent must show their CRECI number in their ads. If it does not appear anywhere, ask. The lookup is public on the website of CRECI Goiás and of COFECI, the federal council. With the name or the number, you can check whether the registration is active.

Also check which agency the person works with and what their role is in the process. A nice social media profile does not replace verifiable identification.

See whether the agent explains or just pushes

A good agent asks more than they talk in the first few minutes. They want to know:

• whether this is your first property or you already own one
• whether you plan to live there, rent it out or resell it
• how much you have saved and whether you plan to use FGTS, a Brazilian workers' fund
• which part of the city you work in, study in or have family in

Without these answers, any recommendation is a guess. If someone sends you three apartment links before understanding your life, be careful.

Also notice how they handle your most basic questions. There is no silly question when the subject is a contract worth hundreds of thousands of reais. If you felt embarrassed to ask something, something is wrong with the conversation.

Ask about the development, not just the apartment

With a new development, you are buying something that has not been built yet. So it is worth asking:

• Who is the builder and what have they already delivered in Goiânia? Visiting a finished building by the same company says a lot.
• Is the development registered at the property registry? Without that registration, off-plan units cannot be sold.
• Is there a "patrimônio de afetação"? It is a legal arrangement that keeps the money for that project separate from the developer's general accounts.
• What does the specifications document say? It is the document that states which flooring, windows and finishes you will receive.

A well-prepared agent answers these questions or goes after the answer. They do not need to know everything by heart, but they need to know where to look and show you the document.

Red flags

Some behaviors call for caution:

1. A promise of guaranteed appreciation. Nobody knows what a property will be worth in five years. An agent can show the history of an area, but a guarantee does not exist.
2. Artificial urgency. "Today only", "last unit" said every week. Price tables for new developments do change, but a purchase decision should not be made in a rush. Ask for the information in writing and time to analyze it.
3. A request for money in a personal account. Deposits, down payments and installments go to the developer or to the account named in the contract. Never to the agent as an individual.
4. A contract nobody reads with you. If someone wants you to sign quickly, without going through the clauses on construction delays, cancellation and price adjustment, stop.

How much does it cost to have an agent?

In most purchases in Brazil, the commission is paid by the seller. In new developments, it is usually part of the deal with the developer. Always ask, and ask for it to be clear in writing. Transparency about money is the first test of trust.

How I work

I work through My Broker Marista. My goal is to translate the information about each property and help you build criteria for an informed decision. If you are just starting your research, that is fine: we begin with the simple questions and move at your pace. See how I work.

Want to build your list of criteria? Get in touch through the contact page. The first conversation is just that: a conversation.