Exclusive interview with Peter Oscarsson, head of sales at Bernard Nicod Nyon

How would you describe yourself?

I am an honest and open person and above all I love meeting people.
I have many years experience in real estate and I love my job, which has enabled me to make friends, meet some wonderful people, and above all make people happy by helping make their property dreams come true.

What is your personal strategy for increasing sales at the Bernard Nicod agency in Nyon ?

My "strategy" is my competence, my conscientiousness, my personal contacts and the large number of local and international clients registered with Bernard Nicod, the number one estate agency in the canton of Vaud! Not forgetting the fact that I can count on my dynamic and very professional colleague, who shares my approach, as well as a great team of 25 experienced staff. I am personally very involved in sales. My team and I are fully invested and expertly trained to advise our clients and value their property. We also have online valuation software, but this can can in no way compete with the expertise of a competent broker with a detailed knowledge of the market. Targeted and up- to-date communication is also an important part of my strategy and that of the Bernard Nicod group.

What is your mission as an estate agent ?

My mission is to help each of my clients to sell or buy their property as quickly as possible and as enjoyably as possible. To show off the property I’ve been entrusted with, and above all to support the client from the beginning to the end of the transaction: from the first contact, where I am able to answer any questions which may arise, to the fair and honest valuation of the property, from its marketing and promotion, until the final signature at the notary, which I always attend. My customers can even count on me afterwards. It’s important to emphasise that generally speaking, a client is entrusting the estate agent with the most important investment of his life.
Often, it is the family home where the children have grown up, full of a lifetime of memories. Property is an important and sensitive area that should be treated as such, with all due consideration!

Technically, what is the difference between a software programme and an estate agent, for the sale of a property ?

Software is programmed to calculate the value of a property based on certain predefined elements, such as the number of rooms, the address, the date of construction, etc. It uses a subjective method, that is to say by comparing properties, but using the advertised price and not the actual value, with range of around 40%, which cannot be considered reliable. Some criteria cannot be quantified but must be observed in situ: the condition of the property, the value and condition of the fixtures and fittings, the vis-à-vis, the view... The result of a computer estimate is always approximate and therefore misleading, which puts the owner at risk of two outcomes: an over-estimate which prevents the sale taking place and an under-estimate which leads to sale at a loss. Agencies offering online sales can be very aggressive on the web and their adverts focus exclusively on the low commission paid by the vendor. Attracted by the false promise of saving money, the vendor overlooks the advantages of a full sales service and the guarantees provided by a trusted estate agent linked to a renowned agency.
The estate agent, on the other hand, values ​​the property at its true value, has an extensive network of potential buyers. He takes the risk - that means it’s in his interests to succeed. He does not charge a deposit, the marketing costs are his responsibility, and he is there for each visit. He only takes his cut once the property has been sold !

What is your advice to readers who are planning to sell a property and are unsure of the most efficient and least risky method ?

I advise anyone who has questions, and would like to know how the sale or purchase process works before committing, to contact me for a meeting at the Nyon agency, or better still, on site, so we can discuss it together. I will be happy to fill them in them as much as possible so that they can feel reassured in moving forward with their project. This is the difference between a case handled by a person and a case handled by a software programme!
Personally, I attach great importance to the relationship with my clients. For all the reasons already mentioned, it is essential to have a relationship of trust.