Terms

What this app is

A way for Samuel Gajmer from Harcourts Northwest Realty to keep you up to date on your property and your local market, and for you to reach him easily.

Why Sam looks through your property

An appraisal is his considered view of what your home would sell for now, and it is only as good as what it is based on.

Two houses on the same street with the same floor plan can be a long way apart in value. What separates them is the condition, the layout, the work that has been done and the work that has not. None of that is in the public record.

The Real Estate Authority takes the same view: unless there are exceptional circumstances, a licensee should expect access to the property so they have fully viewed it before appraising it.

Under rule 10.2 of the Real Estate Agents Act (Professional Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2012, an appraisal must be given to you in writing, realistically reflect current market conditions, and be supported by comparable sales of similar homes nearby. Where no genuinely comparable sales exist, that has to be explained to you in writing too.

Appraisals are not valuations

The figures Sam sends are appraisals: their professional opinion of a likely selling range, based on comparable sales and current market conditions.

They are not registered valuations. Only a registered valuer can provide one. If you need a valuation for a bank, a trust or the courts, you will need a registered valuer.

An appraisal is an estimate, not a promise of what your property will sell for.

Market reports are general information

Market reports describe your suburb generally. They are not advice about your particular circumstances or about whether you should sell.

Sam AI

Sam AI is an assistant, not Sam himself. It answers from your records and from what Sam has told it.

It does not give legal, tax or financial advice, and it will not answer questions that need a lawyer, an accountant or a valuer.

When it is unsure, it passes your question to Sam rather than guessing. Always confirm anything important with him.

The referral programme

If Sam is running a referral programme, the reward and its conditions are shown on the referral screen.

Before you pass on someone’s details, please make sure they are happy for you to do so.

A reward is paid only if the conditions shown are met. Your agent may change or end the programme at any time.

Keeping your account secure

Keep your password to yourself. Tell Sam promptly if you think someone else has got into your account.