Hi Candyfloss. I could be wrong (being blonde too!) but I rather think the point of this thread is that Viva Estates have, yet again, done another U-turn. Having started the Interagency Network, whereby all members were forced to charge commissions from 7.5%, in 2006 they dropped out and announced their "revolutionary" new commission rate of 2% (slagging off any agents who charged more) Incidentally, the 2% commission was only granted if punters paid 1% up front "towards legal costs". So it appeared that that was just a quick fix to get a cash injection. After 6 months, when that failed, they reverted back to 7.5% (and in some cases 10%) to try to persuade other agents to work with them. They wrote to all those poor souls who had signed up at 2% telling them it would now be a higher rate. But, guess what, they didn't refund the monies paid up front!
In their magazine, they slated agents who were selling in new foreign destinations and proclaimed themselves as the ONLY Spanish specialist coimpany who would concentrate ONLY on Spain. A couple of months after that, they started Planet Viva, selling in other destinations.
After the failing business closed all its offices, it now appears that they are saying all agents are sh*te, come and pay to advertise your property in our magazine. Much the same concept as the internet sites. And you are right about vetting the buyers, etc.