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Do any Hong Kong Estate Agents speak English?

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  1. #1

    Do any Hong Kong Estate Agents speak English?

    After a frustrating day, I vote no.

    It's not even speaking, it's the complete inability to make an attempt to communicate in something other than their native tongue. I would have thought their fat commissions would make using Google Translate an attractive partner.

    /rant


  2. #2

    If you walk into a random agency. No.
    There are agencies targeting expats.

    MABinPengChau likes this.

  3. #3

    Join Date
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    its all numbers. how much? how big? which floor? as easy as going to the wet market


  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by littlemermaid:
    If you walk into a random agency. No.
    There are agencies targeting expats.
    To be fair - they have very limited and/or expensive inventory

    Depending on the area you're looking in, I'd expect the agents to be fully conversational in "real estate english". Have not encountered a non-english speaker to the extent described above, in the areas I've lived in over the last 25 years - all on the island. Been through about 5-6 apartment rentals, several office moves and a few rent/buy/sell transactions on the commercial side.

  5. #5

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    Have only lived on the Kowloon side and while I've encountered my share of asshole real estate, they've all been able to speak English.


  6. #6

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    My Swedish brother-in-law, who speaks excellent English, was great at pretending he knew not a word of English when it suited him (like when he took pics INSIDE the White House, a big no-no).

    So if they didn't feel like dealing with you they could just feign ignorance...


  7. #7

    I must be the lucky one.


  8. #8

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    Poor little darling coming to China and not finding people that speak good enough English for you. Boo hoo... What's next? Can't find a decent Fish n Chips shop?

    rs4 and mexmon like this.

  9. #9

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    Fat commissions?? You mean half month of a rental or 1% on a purchase? That is likely bargained another 30-50% off. Then the agent might get 10-30% of what's left.

    English is more than enough. You want them to sell you on the place? Open your eyes.


  10. #10

    They only want rich mainlanders. Mandarin is more important than English nowadays.

    rs4 likes this.

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