Buyer's Agents

Property Buyers

If you’re looking to purchase a new home, investment or commercial property, a REBAA accredited buyer’s agent can help.

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REBAA Membership

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Buyer’s Advocate Australia

What is a buyer's agent?

If you’re buying a new home or investment property, it’s likely to be the largest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. Which is why it makes sense to understand how the real estate game works.

If you’re just starting out in the real estate market, you’ve probably never heard of a buyer’s agent. Just like real estate agents who help you sell a property, a buyer’s agent, or buyer’s advocate, is a licensed professional who works for you and acts on your behalf to search, evaluate and negotiate a property purchase. They aim to ensure you’re as fully informed as possible and that you don’t overpay.

Buyer’s agents can offer either full or partial services to help you find the ideal property. Full service means the buyer’s agent manages the entire process for you, which includes:

Negotiate the property purchase price and terms
Oversee the contracts and exchange
Pre-settlement inspections
Search available listings
Inspect and short-list suitable properties
Evaluate recent sales data and provide a written appraisal
Settlement
Asset/property management/leasing
A ‘wish list’ analysis to understand your requirements to determine your ‘needs’ versus ‘wants’
Oversee and arrange due diligence such as building inspections, pest, survey and engineering reports

Why use a buyer's agent?

Buyer’s agents are licensed professionals who specialise in searching, locating, evaluating and negotiating the purchase of property on behalf of buyers. They do not sell real estate. They are engaged independently and paid for by the buyer to act on their behalf. The key difference between a selling agent and buyer’s agent is who they represent as, by law, an agent cannot act for and accept a commission from both parties in the same transaction.

Buyer’s agents offer a number of different service options, ranging from complete searches through to auction bidding and single property reports. Their aim is to ensure that the purchaser is as fully informed as possible and doesn’t overpay for the property. Having an experienced buyer’s advocate on side who is familiar with suburb values and the purchasing process also assists in maintaining objectivity when it comes to negotiating the best possible outcome.

Benefits of using a buyer's agent

There are many benefits of using a buyer’s agent when purchasing a new home or property, as a buyer’s agent helps you:

Gain an edge by having your own advocate who is representing your interests 100% throughout the purchasing process.
Understand the complexities and processes of buying by providing objective information, advice and support.
Save time by searching for and analysing property on your behalf. Having someone do this for the buyer often results in a more efficient and faster outcome.
Negotiate to obtain the very best price and terms.
Source the correct property in the right location with better prospects for capital growth and/or rental yield.
Access databases and information not readily available to the public, including increased access to properties off market.
Eliminate stress by having one representative looking after your needs, rather than dealing with several different selling agents.

How do I choose a buyer's agent?

Choose your buyer’s agent carefully. Selecting the right agent is likely to result in you making the right purchase at the right price, saving you both time and money. The results achieved by a buyer’s agent will benefit you in the long-term and should amount to substantially more than the fee. The choice of agent also comes down to who you feel most comfortable with, as a good relationship is also important in achieving a satisfactory outcome.

When choosing a buyer’s agent ask the following:

How experienced is the buyer’s agent?
Do they have a solid local knowledge of the area they’ll be searching in for you?
What qualifications do they have?
What are their most recent purchases?
Do they own property themselves?
Do they have the contacts to find you the property that best suits your criteria?
Are they REBAA accredited?

An important question to ask a buyer’s agent is whether they are truly “exclusive” or “independent”. If they accept sales commission from vendors or developers, then they cannot be classified as “independent” as they are acting in the interests of the seller. Independent buyer’s agents do not sell real estate or accept any fees for doing so.

Buyer’s agents (whether REBAA members or not) are required to hold a relevant license in each state in which they operate. If you have any doubt, concerns or are seeking any further clarification please contact the respective state office below:

QLD

Queensland Office of Fair Trading

REIQ

NSW

New South Wales Office of Fair Trading

ACT

Access Canberra

REIACT

VIC

Consumer Affairs Victoria

REISA

Consumer and Business Services

REINT

Northern Territory Consumer Affairs

REIWA

Consumer Protection, Western Australia

TAS

REIT

Consumer, Building and Occupational Services

Buyer's agent fees

Depending on the industry experience of the buyer’s agent you employ, for a full search, inspection, due diligence and negotiation service, the industry average fee is somewhere between 2% and 3% of the purchase price, plus GST and an engagement fee to get started, or a flat fee based on the purchase price and an engagement fee.

You may also want to engage your buyer’s agent to negotiate only on a property you have found yourself or attend an auction on your behalf and bid. These fees can be tailored depending on the level of service required.

Find a buyer’s advocate today

When looking to purchase a home, having the knowledge and expertise of a buyer’s agent on your side can ensure peace of mind when making your investment. Find your local buyer’s advocate by visiting our Australia-wide directory today.

Have a question about buyer’s agents? It may have already been answered. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for more.

How others have profited from using a buyer's agent

I am extremely happy with the service I received when buying my investment property in Brisbane. I have bought a very good investment property that I’m sure will prove to be an excellent asset.

- Paul, N.T
Nick was extremely well organized, always on time and delivered what he promised.
Not only did we leave with an investment property but Nick helped us in securing our own home for our return to Sydney – a challenge that we asked him to help during the last week of our one-month stay.

- Brian and Vicki Power
We were looking to enter the Sydney real estate market as investors having spent many years abroad. We were referred a buyer’s agent who could help us with this task. As we were only in Sydney for a short time we handed him the challenge to locate an investment property for us before we returned overseas. Not only did we leave with an investment property but he also helped us in securing our own home for our return to Sydney.

- Brian and Vicki
I can’t commend these guys enough. they made the whole process of finding and buying an investment Property from start to finish so so easy and totally stress free.
My only regret is not finding them and using their fantastic service years ago. Keep up the good work guys.

- S. Minihane
It was actually quite a relief to have someone assist and guide us through the “buyers jungle”, particularly someone who was on OUR side! They communicated with us continuously throughout the entire process and we felt comfortable all the way – it genuinely took a lot of the stress out of purchasing an investment property. Most importantly we feel confident we have purchased a great investment for us and our family!

- Paul and Toni D