Buyers Tips

Media Release Just knowing the listing agent and being familiar with potential rival bidders is not enough if you want to have a firm grasp on an auction. According to Real Estate Buyers Agents Association (REBAA) president, Cate Bakos, buyers...

With the spring auction season in full swing, the number of auction listings increase and so too does the number of properties that are passed in. Just because a property has been passed in does not mean that this is...

Media Release Buyers need to better understand the difference between when a selling agent is ‘bluffing’ and knowing when a property is about to be sold, recommends Australia’s largest professional body of buyer’s agents. Real Estate Buyers Agents Association (REBAA)...

Watch out for “Double Agents”. How can you really tell if your buyer’s agent is truly independent and acting in your best interests? Is your buyer’s agent also working as a selling agent?  It’s important to watch out for those...

Consumers are being urged to make sure their buyers’ agency is licensed and wholly independent. Currently every State and Territory in Australia has different licensing requirements so you need to make sure that the agency you’re dealing with holds a...

It’s no surprises that Westpac’s latest Home Ownership report has found that more than 50 per cent of home buyers fear buying at auction. Our own internal member survey conducted last year revealed the biggest fear buyers have buying at...

Media Release Tightening lending restrictions and a return to a bear market, it’s no wonder property buyers might be thinking more about including a finance clause in their negotiations, says Australia’s leading association representing professional buyer’s agents. Real Estate Buyers...

Media Release Buying property interstate presents a great opportunity for many to capitalise on the upside of moving property markets but is also fraught with risk warns Australia’s largest professional body representing buyer’s agents. Real Estate Buyers Agents Association (REBAA)...

If property seems out of your league, one option is to consider “bridesmaid suburbs” instead of main hubs, says Rich Harvey, president of the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA). “They’re called bridesmaid for a reason – they’re...

When purchasing an existing property it is important to understand that you are buying the property in an as-is condition. What this means is that the condition of the property at the time of the inspection is what you are...

Guest blogger Andrew Date, Industry Insider Did you know that in the USA and Canada, 90% of people engage a buyer’s agent or buyers advocate to help with their property purchase? As a professional buyer’s advocate, I truly believe if...

Media Release With the market cooling in some pockets of the country, more properties are being offered off-market but how do you know what is a true off-market property that presents an opportunity without the normal competition and at a...

As we approach a traditionally busy spring selling season in the Australian real estate market, it’s important to make sure home buyers and investors review their contracts before proceeding to unconditional status. Unfortunately many purchasers can get so distracted by...

Media Release With property prices cooling in some of Australia’s hottest markets, now is a great time to buy. So how do you find value in the property market post boom? Here are REBAA’s tips Moderate your growth expectations –...

By Fred Haggar Property Search 4U If you are selling residential property and propose to enter into a contract on or after 1 July 2018, there are two things you need to consider: 1. Are you registered or required to...

For young Australians with their sights set on buying property, now is a great opportunity for first time buyers to lock down a somewhat ‘affordable’ piece of real estate. So what is causing the market to change and open doors...

Local knowledge is important when choosing a good buyer’s agent – one who understands the vagaries of a particular suburb so that you don’t overpay. A good rule of thumb is to canvass the opinion of local selling agents as...

Prime holiday times like Easter can present opportunities for those looking to buy a house which can translate to lower prices and more flexible conditions for a better buy. There are definitely ‘slower times’ in the property market cycle, such...

Property investment is still at a high point in Australia right now, and more and more people from all walks of life are striving to commit to an investment strategy to generate future wealth. However, with house prices having skyrocketed...

New research by comparison site finder.com.au has found 18 per cent of Australians are afraid of buying and selling houses at auction, while for Generation Ys it’s a much higher at 27 per cent. Every weekend, our REBAA members see...

By Simon Pressley, Propertyology This time last year, Sydney and Melbourne were in the middle of a property market boom and every property market analyst in Australia was predicting that those same cities would again finish top-of-the- table in 2017....

The new year is a great time to set yourself some new goals and resolutions and one excellent area to overhaul is your financial health. Whether your objective is to boost your retirement savings or purchase your first property, here...

Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is an insurance that lenders take out in order to be able to lend to borrowers who have a small deposit (generally less than 20% of the value of the property). Smaller deposits increase the risk...

By Tyron Hyde Almost anyone who has anything to do with property has at least heard of the changes made to depreciation rules in the Federal Budget handed down in May this year. But while most people are aware of...

By Scott McGeever PS Property Advisory It’s almost an unwritten law of the real estate market that the longer a buyer is in the market, the lower the chance is that they will achieve a great result. The reason is...

Did you know that currently there is no barrier to anyone setting up and practising as a buyer’s agent in an interstate location? Sometimes an agency can be licensed in one state but not the other and still act for...

When buying a property, it’s crucial that you do your research and that includes looking at as many properties within your price range as possible. You need to be educated about values, the tactics of various agents, the types of...

In the tender system, a buyer does not get to see who they are bidding against (if anyone) and submit their best offer in a sealed bid. Unlike an auction which needs competition to be successful, the tender process only...

With just over a week to go before the five Elsternwick houses on The Block 2017 go under the hammer, prospective buyers are being warned to keep a cool head auction. According to REBAA president Rich Harvey it will be...

The figures are in and only 11% of mortgage holders aged 20-49 have any form of loan protection should their income suddenly cease due to illness, injury or death. This raises the question: is a lack of information or fear...

By Cate Bakos Cate Bakos Property With Melbourne achieving the best performing capital for home value growth in the last quarter alongside Hobart, let’s take a look at what’s driving the market. Melbourne’s inner ring property market continues to remain...

By Nikki Montaser Frontdoor Property   Being a landlord for the first time can be a daunting experience. As well as needing to know the legislation inside out, there is a myriad of issues that can arise. Read on to...

Too often inexperienced buyers can be lured by the prospect of high yielding property. In many instances these properties are in areas where rents and property prices can rise and fall sharply leaving long-term investors vulnerable. When it comes to...

Many younger buyers find that it’s too overwhelming to start and keep delaying the decision to buy but the reality is the pain will just be greater in 10 years’ time. First home buyers particularly tend to shy away from...

By Claire Corby Capital Buyers Agency Surrounded by national parks and farmland, Canberra really is the ‘Bush Capital’. Forget the roundabouts, the cold winter mornings and ‘spot the politician out for dinner’ stereotypes, this beautiful city has been maligned. As...

Among several housing affordability measures contained in this year’s federal budget, a scheme to encourage older people in retirement to move out of big family homes into smaller houses and apartments could have a significant impact on the future of...

By Jacque Parker House Search Australia Because so many buyers only go through the buying process once every seven years (the average time that Australians move house) they can be a little “rusty” when it comes time to purchasing what...

By Michael Murray Byron Property Search A good proportion of our clients are ‘Dream Changers’  – southern city escapees who have the desire and the capital to move to one of the most popular alternative lifestyle destinations in Australia. Here...

As Australia’s leading association representing independent buyer’s agents, it’s our role to warn first home buyers and budding investors of ‘get rich quick’ property schemes. Slogans promising investors they can “retire richer sooner”, make “instant equity” and “become a millionaire in five...

A frequent question many of our REBAA members get asked is “How do I build a property portfolio?” You can start a property investment portfolio with as little as $250,000. The key is making sure you have the property team...

In an escalating property market it’s more important than ever that homebuyers carefully analyse sales data provided by selling agents to qualify their offer price and do their own independent research of comparable properties to ascertain ‘like for like’. Often real estate...

With low stock levels driving prices upwards in many states including Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, we reveal the top five questions all buyers should ask before jumping in. The questions every buyer should ask a real estate agent...

Never let a selling agent bid for you at auction. Buyers need to be aware that selling agents acting as buyer’s agents and/or bidding on your behalf at auction, have a clear conflict of interest when it comes to buying...

As Australia’s largest national body representing professional buyer’s agents, we frequently get asked the question: What should I look for in a buyer’s agent? Generally speaking consumers should look for the following five qualities when looking to engage a buyer’s...

In any market, home buyers and investors should target suburbs primed for strong future growth that avoid the ups and down of the property cycle. It could have planned government infrastructure developments, gentrification potential, or if it is already established,...

REBAA’s state representatives give their insights into the major challenges facing the property market this year: Brisbane – Zoran Solano – Hot Property Buyers Agency If 2016 is anything to go by 2017 will continue to be an undersupplied market of...

Prime holiday times like January can present opportunities for those looking to buy a house which can translate to lower prices and more flexible conditions for a better buy. According to REBAA president Rich Harvey there are definitely ‘slower times’...

Buying a holiday home is an ‘investment’ that needs to be approached with caution. With the holiday season almost upon us, here are REBAA’s top tips to consider when buying a holiday home: 1. Never buy a holiday home at...

With inventory levels struggling to keep up with demand in property markets in the lead-up to Christmas we give our tips for buying in a hot market. In this environment it is especially important to keep your emotions in check...

When engaging a buyer’s agent or advocate it’s important you choose an exclusive REBAA member. The question of who pays the buyer’s agent is crucial, because that’s where their loyalty lies. If they are paid by a selling agent or...

Property depreciation allows you claim a tax deduction for any wear and tear over time on any old or new investment property. It allows you to claim internal items like ovens and carpets (plant and equipment) and on the construction...

There is no denying well-planned and executed renovations can pay for themselves and earn home owners handsome rewards over and above their initial investment. According to the Housing Industry of Australia, Australia’s renovation market is the strongest it’s been since...

Home ownership is expensive in Australia and the last thing you want to do, especially in a competitive market, is to overpay for your home and regret the decision later.  The reality is it’s more important than ever for buyers...

With the spring selling season fast approaching we’d like to remind buyers about the importance of being prepared before bidding at auction. Buying a house at auction can be both exciting and stressful but by planning ahead, doing your research,...

With interest rates cut this week to a fresh record low of 1.5 per cent, it’s never been a more attractive time to start climbing the property ladder. In response, REBAA has put together the top five questions home buyers should ask before jumping in....

Have you ever met someone who married on the rebound? It’s a messy situation and once they realise what’s happened their choice is either to make the best of it or get out. The same thing can happen with house hunters after they miss...

Many people are concerned that they can’t afford to pay a buyers agent, especially if they are already finding it difficult to secure a property within their budget. However, when it comes to buying property it’s important to realise that you could...

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows in the past 12 months property prices across all states have increased, pushing the average loan sizes up to $416,300 in NSW, $367,900 in Victoria, $305,400 in Queensland and $277,800 in South...