Its quite simple all you have to do is check to see if the agency are a member of a recognised organisation who will have already checked them out.

These organisations are the likes of AIPP or FODAC Federation of Overseas Property Developers Agents and Consultants.

Secondly I would if I was you check with companies house to see how long the agency has been trading.

These basic checks could be the making or breaking of thousands or hundreds of thousands of pounds.

More ideas on how we can safeguard our investments from others are most welcome.

Great subject, I have been reading this forum and looking for good advice on how to find an agent who will not just take our money and run.

So looking for a agency that is part of an organisation & recommended can only help with our confidence in the buying process.

Below is the link for FOPDAC the longest running & most respected of these organisations.

Does anybody have any comments on this as its a important subject?

FOPDAC, Federation of Overseas Property Developers Agents and Consultants

The Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants was established in 1973 to unite those agents, developers and specialist consultants active in the international property markets whose common aim is to conduct their activities in a manner which seeks to protect the interests of those who have decided to purchase, or sell, a property overseas. Membership of the Federation is restricted to companies or individuals whose probity is beyond reasonable question. The individual principals must have the experience and professional expertise to meet the strict criteria set in the Federation's Code of Ethics. The Committee of the Federation and its members provide a valuable reservoir of many cumulative years of experience in international property.

Buying Property Abroad?

Many thousands of Britons have bought and own property in many parts of Europe and further afield. Even so, it is a big step to take and you need to ensure that you have the best advice available. As there is no statutory control over who can set up in the overseas property business it remains risky simply choosing one of the many advertisers from the pages of newspapers and magazines. You can reduce the risks substantially by dealing only with a company which is a member of FOPDAC.

The Standards Demanded

A summary of FOPDAC's Code of Ethics will best convey what is demanded of all members: -
Members shall make honesty and integrity the standard in all their dealings with clients and customers. They shall avoid misleading property descriptions, concealment of pertinent information and exaggerations in advertising. They shall not market property for specific purposes if that property is not accessible and usable for such purposes.
Members shall comply with all financial and legal obligations relating to their transactions, their clients or customers.
Members shall use their best endeavours to encourage developments with due consideration for open space and proper environmental controls.
Where Federation members accept clients' monies for payment for land or property, they must maintain a legally separate Clients Account which must be properly conducted.

Members shall report in writing any violation of these bylaws, whether their own or of others, whether members or not, to the Committee.
Should the Federation receive a complaint that a member has not acted in accordance with the Code of Ethics then the Committee should decide that a member is in default and he subsequently fails to rectify the matter as directed, then the member would be liable to immediate expulsion.
All agents must recommend to a prospective purchaser that they seek independent legal advice in order to effect their purchase. Such recommendation will be given before any legally binding contract is entered into. If the prospective purchaser asks the agent for the name of a person to provide independent legal advice the agent should provide a choice of names.

WHY LEAVE IT TO CHANCE?

You have a wide and free choice, your decisions are important because they concern your own and your family's pleasure and the investment of a significant sum of money.

FOPDAC members can be recognised by our logo which they display on literature, stationery and advertisements. Corporate members can also be identified by a series of letters after their names; AFOPDAC for those who have at least five years experience in the business and FFOPDAC for those with ten or more years.

FEDERATION OF OVERSEAS PROPERTY DEVELOPERS, AGENTS AND CONSULTANTS MOROCCAN MEMBERS.

My advice dont leave it to chance only use FOPDAC members.

Thanks for the info yield.

This is the a list of FOPDAC members for Morocco from the FOPDAC website.

1. Property Borders
Areas Covered Morocco - Asilah, Marrakech, Saidia, ... Mustapha Mezouri Areas Covered Morocco - Agadir, Asilah, Casablanca, Essaouira ... and south of Morocco. With beachfront golf
Property Borders

2. Members Morocco
Square Deal Sign Morocco Click on for full details of the company.. A.G.S Properties UK Ltd . (Exeter ) Property Collins Overseas (Winchester) Property Dream Property Locations
Members Morocco

3. Overseas Property Worldwide
Marmaris, Tukrunc. Icmeler. Thailand. Morocco No. 1275F Overseas Property Worldwide 22 Prospect ... Turkey, Alanya, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Tukrunc. Icmeler. Thailand. Morocco
Overseas Property Worldwide

4. Sunworld Estates
Bulgaria Cyprus Italy Morocco Orlando, Florida Dubai & Abu Dhabi Contact: ... Balearic Islands, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, Dubai, Morocco and Orlando, Sunworld Estates offers a
Sunworld Estates

5. Our Home Abroad Ltd
Fax 02392 735262 email info@ourhomeabroad.com Web Our Home Abroad - Features properties for sale in Spain, Turkey, Bulgaria, & Cyprus Area Covered Bulgaria. Caribbean. Cyprus. Morocco. Spain, Costa Blanca (north & south), Costa Almeria,
Our Home Abroad Ltd

6. Overseas Homes Forever
Bulgaria, Morocco, Turkey, Estonia, Italy, Florida No.1224F ... Overseas Homes Forever - the key to buying property abroad Areas covered: Bulgaria, Morocco, Turkey, Estonia, Italy, Florida Contact: Bob
Overseas Homes Forever

7. Redtin International Ltd
Costa de la Luz, Costa Almeria, Costa Calida, Costa Blanca, Majorca, Tenerife, Fuerteventura. Portugal. Morocco. Florida. Isle of Margarita
Redtin International Ltd

8. Dream Locations Property Ltd
Florida, Bulgaria, Italy, Morocco, Cyprus, Caribbean, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Portug al , Cape Verde Contact : Stephen Vaughan Dream Locations sell property in some of the
Dream Locations Property Ltd

9. Collins Overseas
France, Cape Verde & Morocco Contact: Nigel Butcher Collins Overseas is a privately owned company established in 2002. We specialise in investment and new build property in both
Collins Overseas

10. AGS Properties SL
Arab emirates), Hungary, Morocco, Poland, Turks & Caicos, Egypt, Venezeula. Contact : Tony Sparkes Glenda Sparkes Welcome to A.G.S. Properties a proud FOPDAC member and a company
AGS Properties SL

Yes but property borders isnt at the top is it flip(or should I call you Mustafa), they are in alphabetical order and you are seventh.

You are very immature to be on a serious forum such as this with your false accusations, in fact I work as a receptionist in a solicitors office.

But my good your investigation into finding out if I was Mustapha was so unique that I can see the MF5 or M16 or Scotland yard asking you to work for them lol.

I suggest you and others who like to blame people at the flip of a hat to try going to the FOPDAC website then click on A to Z listings of members (at the top of the page)

Then were it says - Search for a Country, Area or Town or Company - put the words morocco, and guess what the results page returns exactly what I put in my earlier post
so if you have the tenacity for a apology that would be accepted.

I await your reply.

ok flip I have tried it that way and you are correct so apologies, but this forum like many others is littered with agents pretending to be punters.

OOPPPPS that was a bit silly, are you one of them jesus?

This is good news for buyers I think? does anyone have any usefull comments on this?

NAEA AND FOPDAC ANNOUNCE MERGER

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Federation of Overseas Property Developers, Agents and Consultants (FOPDAC) have signed a formal agreement this week to merge FOPDAC with the international section of the NAEA.

The new name is to be ‘NAEA International incorporating FOPDAC’.

Both the NAEA and FOPDAC are long established in the field of international estate agency, and are dedicated to improving the standards of those working in this specialised field.

The two organisations are both members of the European Confederation of Estate Agents (CEI) and worked together in 2005 to bring about the introduction of a new International Code of Practice, which has since been accepted by the 40,000 estate agent members of the CEI.

Ian Tonge, Chairman of the NAEA International working group, says: “This is a significant step for both organisations and I am delighted that we are now joining forces in this way. Members and consumers will be able to benefit from the combined knowledge and experience of both the NAEA and FOPDAC. Through this partnership we hope to make a further, positive difference in the international property arena.”

Des Rowson, Committee member for FOPDAC, comments: “After working for so many years to achieve the goal of both organisations making a positive move towards giving the clients ‘peace of mind’ when purchasing through a registered agent, Geoff Pilgrim the original Founder of FOPDAC in 1973 would be proud of the progress that has been made in the International market place.”

Keith Baker, Legal Advisor for FOPDAC, said: “I have worked with FOPDAC for 30 years but I am keenly looking forward to implementing the ambitious goals being set by the new combined team. This has been a very easy merger to negotiate as it rapidly became apparent how close our philosophies were.”

Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive at the NAEA, comments: “This is an important occasion in the history of both organisations as the NAEA and FOPDAC are brought together. We have no doubt that this will prove a highly beneficial union for both consumers and the industry over the years to come.”

- Ends -

About the NAEA

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is the UK’s leading professional body for estate agency personnel, representing the interests of approximately 10,000 members who practice across all aspects of property services both in the UK and overseas. These include residential and commercial sales and lettings, property management, business transfer, auctioneering and land.

The National Association of Estate Agents is dedicated to the goal of professionalism within high street estate agency. Its aim is to reassure the general public that by appointing an NAEA member to represent them they will receive in return the highest level of integrity and service in both sales and lettings. Each NAEA member is bound by a vigorously enforced Code of Practice and adheres to professional Rules of Conduct. Failure to do so can result in heavy financial penalties and possible expulsion from the Association.

About FOPDAC

FOPDAC was founded in 1973 to unite those agents, developers and specialist consultants active in the international property markets. FOPDAC performs a valuable self regulatory role with stringent rules of membership.

I can suggest going with agents who have secured exclusivity on their property which will mean that they will have a financial tie in to the project and will most likely be well checked out by the constructor.Generally agents only invest for exclusive rights on a well studied development which they see as representing value,any other approach could be hurtful to their most vital organ,"their pocket"