Frequently Asked Questions.

Speak to a financial adviser first. They will assess your income, outgoings and credit profile, then tell you what you can realistically borrow and what deposit a lender will expect. Isle of Man deposits typically start at 5-10% of the purchase price, depending on the lender and the property. Getting this clarity before you view saves time and strengthens every offer you make.

Find the property on bgc.im and use the “Book a viewing” button, or call your nearest BGC branch. Choose a date and time that suits you and you will get a reminder before the appointment.

Usually not. In most cases a member of the BGC team shows you around, so you can look properly and ask anything you like. Some vendors prefer to be at home during viewings, and occasionally that is genuinely useful. Tell us your preference when you book and we will do our best to accommodate it.

The moment your viewing ends, we will ask for your feedback by text, WhatsApp or email – and you can submit your offer in the same reply. You can also make an offer in person at any BGC branch, over the phone or in writing. Whichever route you choose, a BGC property professional will guide you through what happens next.

Yes, as many times as you need, provided the vendor agrees. Second and third viewings are normal and often sensible – measuring up, bringing family, checking the light at a different time of day. Just contact the branch handling the sale and we will arrange it.

There is no single right answer, and the best approach depends on the market at the time. A buyer who has already agreed a sale on their own home, subject to contract, is in a materially stronger position and is usually taken more seriously by vendors. If you are confident your home will sell quickly, looking first can work – but you risk losing the property you love. Talk to us and we will give you a view based on current conditions.

Not yet. In the Isle of Man, an accepted offer is not legally binding, and a sale can still fall through – a chain breaking, a survey finding, a mortgage offer withdrawn, or a change of heart. BGC works with every party in the chain to keep things moving, and our fall-through rate is low, but no agent can guarantee a sale until completion.

We confirm the agreed price in writing to both sides, then you instruct an advocate and formally apply for your mortgage. Your advocate raises enquiries, checks title and orders searches while your lender arranges a valuation. Contracts are then exchanged and a completion date agreed. Stay in regular contact with your advocate – delays almost always come down to paperwork waiting on someone.

Ask us. BGC works closely with conveyancing professionals across the Island and we are happy to recommend several local advocates so you can compare. One important point: a UK solicitor cannot act as your conveyancer when you buy or sell property in the Isle of Man. You will need an Isle of Man advocate.

At BGC, purchases currently take an average of 10-14 weeks from accepted offer to completion. The exact timeline depends on the length of the chain, how quickly your mortgage is approved and the vendor’s own circumstances. Cash purchases with no chain can complete considerably faster.

Your advocate sends the completion funds – your mortgage advance plus your deposit – to the vendor’s advocate, who then releases the keys. Your advocate will confirm the time and where to collect them; usually that is from the conveyancer’s office, though sometimes BGC has the pleasure of handing them over.

At BGC we pride ourselves on offering unrivalled professional advice and guidance to Landlords before they embark on the journey of letting their home. Our dedicated team of property professionals will be with you from appraisal to tenancy start date and if you choose our full management option, we’ll be with you through the tenancy carrying out regular property checks, collecting your rent and assisting with information relating to your tax obligations. Our services continue throughout your tenancy, ensuring a smooth ride from start to finish.

Book a lettings appraisal and we will give you an accurate figure based on current market evidence, not guesswork. Our residential lettings team knows what comparable Isle of Man properties are actually achieving and will explain which of our services suits your circumstances. You can also call in to our office on Victoria Street, Douglas for a longer conversation.

Full management suits landlords who want the income without the day-to-day involvement: we handle tenant liaison, rent collection, inspections and maintenance. Let only suits landlords who want to manage the tenancy themselves; we find, reference and place the tenant, then hand over. Both include our full pre-tenancy vetting process.

Yes, every applicant, without exception. Referencing, KYC and due diligence checks begin as soon as a prospective tenant agrees terms and pays their administration fee, and our team is trained to meet the regulator’s onboarding requirements. Under full management, an applicant who fails our checks will not be granted the tenancy. Under let only the process is identical, but we present our findings and the final decision is yours. Our Rentals department pride themselves on their thorough pre-tenancy due diligence process, its designed to make your experience as a Landlord the smoothest possible.

Twelve months is by far the most common term – most landlords and most tenants want stability. Shorter terms are perfectly possible if that suits your plans better; tell our team what you need and we will tailor the lease accordingly.

Not during the fixed term of a tenancy. Rent can be reviewed at the end of the term, on renewal, or when a new tenant is sought. If BGC fully manages your property, we will contact you before the tenancy end date with a current market view so you can make an informed decision.

A fixed-term lease binds both sides, so vacant possession is not available on demand. If your circumstances change, speak to our rentals team – we will talk to your tenant and help where we can. In practice, early release depends on the tenant agreeing and finding somewhere else to live; otherwise the tenancy runs to its end date.

It is decision time. Under full management, you will know two months in advance whether your tenant wants to stay, and we will ask whether you would like to renew for a further term. From there it is your call, and we will talk you through the options. Under let only, you deal with your tenant directly – and if you would like to re-let, contact us for an up-to-date market appraisal.

No tenancy runs perfectly, which is exactly what a managing agent is for. Under full management, our team handles issues as they arise and keeps you informed of the problem, the fix and the outcome. Under let only, we cannot involve ourselves in a dispute, but you are still a BGC client and our team is always happy to offer professional advice.

You will need your first month’s rent plus a deposit, usually equivalent to one month’s rent, paid in advance. There is also an administration fee of £55 per person, which covers BGC’s referencing, KYC and credit checks on every applicant. We will confirm the exact figures in writing before you commit.

No, the administration fee is non-refundable, because it pays for checks we carry out whatever the outcome. Please make sure you are confident of passing standard referencing, credit and KYC checks before you apply – and if you are unsure, ask us first. We would far rather have that conversation early.

Water and rates (the Isle of Man equivalent of UK council tax) are included in most of our tenancies. A small number of landlords do not include them, and where that applies we will tell you clearly before you commit. Gas, electricity, internet and all other utilities are the tenant’s responsibility.

Your rent cannot be increased during your fixed term. It may be reviewed at the end of the term if you renew, and any change will be communicated to you well before your tenancy end date – never as a surprise.

Twelve months is the most common term, because most landlords and tenants want stability. If you need something shorter, contact BGC and we will put the request to the landlord of the property you are interested in.

That is the landlord’s decision, and it varies property by property. Where pets are permitted, a deposit of £500 per pet applies, and landlords will require a full professional clean, including carpets, when you move out. Ask us before you apply and we will find out for you.

Speak to us as early as you can. Your tenancy is a fixed term, but our rentals team will liaise with your landlord and help where possible. If early release is agreed, a re-advertising fee of £325 + VAT applies, we begin marketing the property immediately, and you remain liable for rent until a new tenancy starts.

BGC has been part of the Isle of Man’s property story since 1994 – more than thirty years of local sales data, relationships and hard-won judgement. You get a fully qualified residential team from market appraisal through to key handover, professional photography marketing material, and a high-tech platform that keeps you informed at every stage. Regulated, qualified, accountable. We would not have it any other way.

At BGC, we use or decades of experience and insight, we utilise and explore all available resources to research the most recent sales within the vicinity of your home alongside historic sales particulars and data, our trained marketing professionals will visit your home to view the property. This is your opportunity to tell them about any improvements or upgrades you’ve made and the journey you’ve encountered during your time at the property. Our property professional will explain what BGC will do to maximise exposure, as well as the various selling options available, before giving you a suggested asking price for the property. Once you have chosen BGC to sell your home, the team will schedule our professional photographer at a time to suit, alongside one of sales team to start the creation of your much anticipated marketing material – You won’t be disappointed!

Not if you sell with BGC. We accompany every viewing, show buyers around and answer their questions. Most buyers prefer the owner to be out – they feel free to comment and ask openly, which means you get far more honest and detailed feedback. All you need to do is hand us the keys.

Most online estate agents don’t have a high street presence or prominent office location. A ‘local property expert’, who can sometimes be responsible for a large area, will visit your home to give you a suggested asking price. Once your property is listed in most cases you’ll deal with a separate dedicated member of staff for viewings, likewise for sales progression too. In contrast, at BGC, we offer the best of both worlds – Our slick, bold and contemporary branding showcases our interactive website offering all the bells whistles of an online agency, yet, our prominent high street presence also enables a more personal approach and our team are in place ready to welcome those who walk through our door. The BGC team are a highly trained, experienced group of property professionals who work closely together, ensuring that we are all with you throughout, from appraisal to completion – our entire residential team are with you every step of the way. Another difference is that most online estate agents take a form of upfront payment, this can dilute the incentive to sell your property.

We offer a no sale, no charge option – our value is our success.

The impossible question to answer – There are so many factors that can dictate the timeframe involved when selling a home, but your best chance of securing an offer is in the first few weeks of the property being listed. That’s why it’s so important to price the property correctly first time. BGC’s team of property professionals are trained to provide you with the best advice on price, timing and what is required from you, The Vendor when it comes to producing exceptional marketing material. For guide on how to prepare your home for listing

It is your call, and the right answer depends on the market at the time. Having a sale agreed, subject to contract, makes you a far more credible buyer. What matters most is getting an appraisal early, so you know your budget before you fall for something. Many of our clients run both processes in parallel with us managing the timing.

We confirm the agreed price in writing to both sides and you instruct your advocate. They prepare the contract pack and respond to the buyer’s enquiries while the buyer’s lender arranges a valuation. Contracts are then exchanged and a completion date set. Keep in close contact with your advocate – most delays are simply paperwork waiting on a reply.

We will recommend one. BGC works with conveyancing professionals across the Island and can put you in touch with several local advocates to choose from. Note that a UK solicitor cannot act on an Isle of Man property transaction – you will need an Isle of Man advocate.

It’s impossible to provide an exact time frame as there are an abundance of moving parts when purchasing a property. This can be chain dependant, mortgage dependant, Vendor or buyer dictated – there are several reasons for sales to take the time they do but typically, at BGC, we are experiencing an average of 10-14 weeks from offer acceptance to completion.

Your advocate receives the completion funds from the buyer’s advocate and then releases the keys to the new owner. Keys are usually handed in to your conveyancer on the morning of completion – your advocate will confirm the time. In some cases BGC releases the keys instead, but only once the advocates confirm that funds have transferred and the sale is complete.