Pre-contract to use the provider's land service

What I forgot to mention above is that he said they are "actively" searching, he explained it like this: the company has people who are solely busy looking for plots of land, among other things by trying to find out who owns building gaps (inquiring at building authorities and neighbors) and then exclusively mediating these to their clients.

Yes, of course. If they didn’t take care of plots of land, they would only sell houses to buyers who bring their own plot. But that is not profitable - just waiting for a potential builder to find their way to this BU. Therefore the reverse conclusion: BU has to find plots through its network in order to sell their houses on that land to willing builders. In new development areas, the plots are immediately reserved by the BUs.

However, with a contract, no more plots are found than without one.

Hello,

I have already found a few topics about preliminary contracts here, but most referred to something else, so I am opening a new topic about it. If I have missed one, I apologize.

Ultimately, these topics lead to the same result; no matter what you call it.

(no idea if you’re allowed to use the name, but I think it doesn’t matter for now), since their homepage stated that they have plots in the area we are looking for (the district, size, and price were mentioned).

I can guess who you mean, since one provider in particular has perfected this "game."

During this first conversation, the topic of plots also came up, and the seller said that the plots you find as a private person here in the area (portals, etc.) are leftovers that no one wanted before and that the good plots are traded beforehand through connections.

That’s nothing new, it has only intensified in recent years and ultimately depends on good plot references/agents and the willingness of respective sellers to only sit once at the notary and otherwise have nothing to do with the sale.

What makes me a bit suspicious is that on the one hand the seller always evaded the question about the plots mentioned on the homepage and referred to their plot service, saying that with it you will certainly find a suitable plot.

If my initial suspicion is correct, the seller can’t offer you a real plot either, because they simply don’t have any of the advertised plots in distribution; especially not exclusively.

On the other hand, I can hardly imagine that really so many (all?) good plots are snapped up before you as a private person get to see them.

You find the "good" plots at most ½ day as an ad, after which they are gone from the market; if they even see the light of day at all.

The plots that ultimately appear longer on portals have one or the other "catch" or – also possible – private sellers didn’t listen to experts’ recommendations and "burned" their plots all alone. Because, although it may sound strange, even good plots can get "burned" over time if they are poorly marketed from the start. A potential builder who watches the market and repeatedly finds the same plot on offer thinks to themselves and will rarely request a brochure.

Somehow I also have the feeling of signing the "cat in the bag," since you get no insight into this service beforehand and the search only starts after signing. There’s no guarantee that they don’t just copy the contents of the portals and then present them to me as their search? We only get the exact contract after the second meeting in which the exact costs of the house are calculated, but I wanted to ask if such a procedure is normal or if others have already had experiences with such a plot service?

I wouldn’t call it "normal," but it is certainly a common means of inexpensive customer retention.

You have to decide for yourself whether you want to take this path, because you commit yourself – at least for the duration of the agreement – to one provider; exclusions can be negotiated, whether these are cost-neutral is another matter.

I never understand in these cases why the help of an agent is not used directly. You also bind yourself to them – if they are reputable, they rightfully insist on that – and they also cost money in case of success. But – they search tailored to your needs, clarify building law if necessary, advise you, and you remain free in every further decision regarding the later, temporary building partner.

Rhenish greetings

Thank you for the detailed answers.

In these cases, I never understand why the help of a real estate agent is not used directly. You are also bound to them - if they are reputable, they rightly insist on this - and they also cost money if successful. But - they search tailored to your needs, clarify building law if necessary, advise you, and you are free in any further decisions regarding the later, temporary construction partner.

I have to admit that I hadn’t thought of that yet, as the agents I have met so far when looking for a rental apartment did not seem very eager to search for someone. Rather, they seemed more interested in listing apartments from landlords.

I have no problem paying the agent at the end, that is usually still cheaper than paying the property transfer tax fully on house and land.

But is it so different with plots of land, and how can you recognize a good agent? That is basically the same problem as with such a preliminary contract, since you cannot assess how much really stands behind the promises?

First, you should take a close look at the exact conditions of this "commitment declaration." If you only receive this after the second conversation and new/correction plans for the drafts... go ahead, let them draw.

If the conditions are then set, it would be okay if they only apply if you take a plot of land from this "pool." I can understand that the general contractor would also want to build on the (virtually) brokered plots themselves. That's not particularly unusual. Actually quite nice if they think of you when such a prime plot appears.

But it's important that this contract does not otherwise bind you. No purchase of such a brokered plot = no further obligations towards the general contractor or any other third parties.

Property transfer tax will be higher, but you know that in advance. If it is then THE (ultimate) plot, who cares?

Dare to have a second conversation and publish the contents here.

Well, I wouldn't know what kind of contract that should be that doesn't bind you to anything. Normally, we're talking about a straightforward contract for work and services here, possibly with a withdrawal right/reservation for property acquisition. This means in any case that you will build with this company, no matter who found the property. Buying out is of course also possible. Unfortunately, a lot of nonsense is done in this area and many of the advertised properties don't exist at all. If I had an exclusive contract from the property owner, I could also tell everyone where the said property is, since no one can buy it without me anyway. With anything else, it has a very bitter aftertaste. On the other hand, I am also a house seller and not a real estate agent, so why should I look for properties for interested parties who later won't build with me? Maybe I even have access to a great property, but just not exclusively. That I earn money from the project can only be secured by a contract. Somehow, this topic always ends up going in circles, which is why I stay out of it as much as possible. One more thing: If I have a top property in a desirable location, it won't go into a pool or an internet exchange. There will be 5 to 10 phone calls and then it is sold together with the house.

One more thing: If I have a top property in a desirable location, it neither goes into a pool nor on an online exchange. There will be 5 to 10 phone calls made, and then it is sold together with the house

And who do you call? Or in other words: To whom do I have to give my number so that I get called?