Habitat was bought by Ikea, which decided to appoint its own buying agent in India.

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Buying agent Jo Eccles, managing director of Sourcing Property, says she's skeptical about creating new residential districts from scratch.

WSJ: A Diplomatic Breakthrough

Software is coming, too, including a buying agent called E-speak that can search the Web, inventory other programs and broker deals.

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In France, Italy, Spain and Belgium the cost of selling one house and buying another (estate-agent fees, stamp duty and legal fees) often amounts to more than 15% of the price of a home.

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In the most famous case, America's tax breaks allow it in effect to hire the world's most successful businessman, Bill Gates, as its agent for good works, buying the public the benefit of his acumen.

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"When I negotiate a transfer I try to do a deal where everybody comes out a winner -- the selling and buying club, the player and the agent, " added the source, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of such negotiations.

CNN: January 3, 2013 -- Updated 1012 GMT (1812 HKT)

Stay away from any agent or organization that cannot or will not fully explain exactly what you are buying and why.

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