Brokers vs Private Sale: Where the Value Really Lies
Commissions are visible; the cost of a botched private transaction rarely is. A candid look at both routes.
A qualified broker earns their commission through market intelligence, buyer qualification, and — critically — protecting both parties through escrow, MOA drafting, and title verification. On vessels above €500k, the calculus almost always favours brokered sale.
Private sales suit knowledgeable owners transacting with knowledgeable buyers on smaller vessels. Even then, use a maritime lawyer for the paperwork and a neutral escrow agent for the funds.
The single most expensive mistake is skipping either professional in the belief that trust replaces process. It doesn't.
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