Why do you need a buyers’ agent on your side? Well, there are many key benefits of using a buyers’ advocate to help you find your next investment property or home, the main benefits include:
- Saving time in searching for your next home or investment property as our buyers’ agents have extensive knowledge of their local real estate markets. Their years of experience will guide you through the process more quickly than if you were doing it all yourself.
- Gaining gleaning local knowledge from our expert property buyers’ advocates who know their service areas so well that they can give you accurate and up-to-date information about market value and potential for growth in every suburb and every street. This information is invaluable as you decide where in Australia you’ll get the best ROI.
- Receive accurate appraisals to get the true market value of the property you might have your eye on.
- Access off-market properties thanks to the network of real estate contacts our property buyers’ agents have, and their expertise in discreetly finding and securing any off-market listings that meet your criteria.
- Access the latest market data and predictions using our “SuburbWatcher” Reports.
- Avoid stressful auctions and making emotional decisions that result in you paying more than the property is worth. Our real estate buyers’ advocates know the tricks of the trade and have strategies in place to ensure you secure the right property at the right price.
- Referrals to support partners.
- Have a professional buyers’ agent in Australia guide you throughout the entire buying process.
Buyers’ agents help anyone who is seeking specialist advice on a property purchase, whether they are professional executives, first time home buyers, experienced investors, commercial buyers or developers.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BUYERS’ AGENT AND A SELLING AGENT?
The key difference between a buyers’ agent (or advocate) and a traditional selling agent is whom they represent. A buyers’ agent works exclusively for the buyer, whereas the selling agent works for the vendor (seller). A buyers’ advocate is paid for their service as either a fixed fee or as a percentage of the purchase price. A buyers’ advocate does not sell real estate. By law, an agent in Australia cannot act for (and accept a commission) from both parties in the transaction.
WHAT DOES A BUYERS’ AGENT DO?
A good quality buyers’ agent or buyers’ advocate should undertake five key steps in delivering their services.
- Strategy. First, they should listen to your needs, desires, goals and wants and help you formulate a “Buyer’s Brief”. Without a clear picture of your requirements, they will be searching in the dark. If you are a home buyer, your buyers’ advocate will help you identify the best suburbs that will fit your budget and lifestyle needs. For example, if you want a large family home in Sydney that is close to good schools, your buyers’ advocate will only look in areas with suitable properties in suitable locations. On the other hand, if you want to invest in student accommodation in Sydney, the brief is entirely different as you may favour close transport links and shopping centres.
- Research. The property buyers’ agent already has a wealth of information on the cities and suburbs in their area. This cuts down the time it would take to educate the buyer about the key suburbs they are targeting. Using this information, buyers’ advocates in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, for example, can provide suburb profiles and information about recent sales that match the buyers’ brief.
- Shortlist. Next, the real estate buyers’ agent searches for properties that meet the key criteria and summarise these into a best-fit shortlist. They should have an extensive network of sales agents to contact to find suitable properties. The buyers’ advocate would then arrange a suitable time for you to inspect the properties.
- Evaluation. Once the ideal property is found and agreed upon, the buyers’ agent will complete an appraisal of the property and give a clear indication of current market value. As seasoned professionals, real estate buyers’ agents offer valuable market insight about the true value of your potential purchase. Whether your purchase is to be the family home or an investment property, you want to make a decision based on sound knowledge of the local market.
- Negotiate and Secure. The last step is where property buyers’ agents really show their expertise. By negotiating well and getting the inside scoop on how the sale is progressing, a buyers’ agent can save you a lot of money (and prevent you from making an emotional purchase). Buyers’ advocates aim to negotiate the best price and terms to secure the property. Moreover, they will help coordinate the required pest and building (or strata) inspections and help facilitate the exchange of contracts. That alone takes a lot of stress out of the purchase process.
THE BENEFITS OF USING A BUYERS’ AGENT
Save Time: A buyers’ agent can shortlist properties faster.
Searching the internet, calling agents, arranging inspections and viewing properties every weekend can continue for months on end, which is exhausting and can make it difficult to maintain momentum. Professional buyers’ agents will have an extensive and established network of real estate agents to draw on to produce a qualified list of properties to suit your preferences.
From this list the buyers’ agent will efficiently cull the unsuitable properties leaving only the most ideal properties for you to view at a convenient time.
The average home buyer or investor typically takes 6 to 12 months to get to know the local real estate market, find properties and eventually secure one. By this time, it’s possible that a rising market may have seen prices increase by over 10%. Even with all the latest apps and online tools, it still takes time to vet the vast array of options available and work out what is worth inspecting. With a qualified buyers’ agent on your side, finding that perfect property in Sydney (or Melbourne or Brisbane) can take as little as 30 days.
Save Money: We’ll negotiate the lowest possible price.
A skilled real estate buyers’ agent will be able to save you a lot of money! As they are in the business of buying properties on a daily basis they become very proficient at negotiating. For example, a buyers’ advocate will protect you from making an emotional purchase in an area that looks lovely but doesn’t have as much promise as a suburb a few streets away. As they don’t have a vested interest in the property, they can negotiate objectively on your behalf.
Negotiating is an art – especially when dealing with real estate agents. Selling agents have lots of tricks and tactics to use on unsuspecting buyers.
An expert buyers’ agent will be able to level the playing field and give you the upper hand in negotiations.
Buyers’ advocates know the local real estate market values intimately, so they will be able to provide you with the confidence that you are paying the right price. When it comes to bidding at auction, the buyers’ agent knows which tactics are successful and which are not, and is able to prevent you from getting caught up in the heat of the moment.
Save Stress: Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. Let your buyers’ advocate deal with real estate agents.
Let’s face it – dealing with real estate agents is not top of everyone’s priority list. Research has shown that selling agents rank poorly on the trust scale of professionals (doctors at the top car salesman and real estate agents on the bottom). Using an experienced and licenced buyers’ agent means you never have to deal with real estate agents.
Underquoting is a common practice that causes many buyers incredible frustration. A skilled property buyers’ agent in Sydney, for example, will be able to determine in a heartbeat if the price quoted is realistic and if you have a chance of securing the property. Having a buyers’ advocate on your side means you get the truth about the market, the property and what needs to be done to buy it successfully (without the selling agent knowing you are emotionally attached).
Discover silent listings: We can uncover the 40% of properties sold on the quiet in Australia.
Did you know that our property buyers’ advocates can uncover many “off-market” opportunities for you to view?
With a wide network of professional real estate agents, the buyers’ advocate can get access to new listings before they hit the open market. Some vendors prefer to sell in the quiet and avoid the hassle of open inspections and to avoid marketing fees. Sales agents like dealing with buyers’ agents as they present a qualified buyer, with finance approved and ready to buy.
Off-market opportunities abound in the prestige market with a very high percentage sold in this manner. Privacy and discretion are the main reasons for luxury property vendors choosing a silent listing method of sale. Buyers’ agents are usually the first to be notified of these opportunities.
Buy right: Location is everything. Discover the facts about the hot spots before you buy.
Whether you are buying a home or investment property, selecting the right suburb is paramount for your success. Buyers’ agents that specialise in investment property have access to the latest research and statistics to help you pinpoint the best areas for long-term capital growth. There is a clear science behind property investing and sticking to the fundamental drivers of population growth, employment opportunities and infrastructure growth means you can optimise your investment decision-making.
The investment buyers’ agent will provide research on the areas recommended then commence shortlisting specific properties that fit the investment criteria.
This removes the uncertainty and guesswork that are inevitable if you try purchasing real estate for investment purposes on your own, and provides you with the opportunity to maximise your returns.
HOW MUCH DOES A BUYERS’ AGENT COST?
A buyers’ agent is paid for their professional service as either a fixed fee or as a percentage of the purchase price. Buyers’ advocates typically offer three main services: full search, appraise and negotiate and auction bidding. The fees may range from 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price or the flat fee equivalent.
The majority of buyer’s agents set fees around three main services:
- Full search: Fees are set at 1.5 to 2.0% +GST of purchase price (or flat fee equivalent)
- Appraisal & Negotiation only: Fees approximately 0.9% +GST of purchase price (or flat fee equivalent)
- Auction bid only: Fees are $500 + GST for attendance and $1000 + GST success fee.
Most professional buyers’ agents charge an engagement fee as a form of retainer. This is simply compensation for the amount of time and effort the buyer’s agent will spend searching for properties and undertaking research. It also ensures commitment from the buyers’ advocate and the buyer. This ranges from $3000 up to 50% of the total fee payable.
The total buyers’ agent fee will depend on your specific requirements, search parameters, budget and degree of difficulty. It’s important to understand you are engaging a professional property consultant to act impartially as your representative in searching and negotiating for your next home or investment property.