Access and time
Short on time to search properly?
A thorough search across a market takes many weekends. An agent does it as their job, and often hears about properties before they are widely advertised.
BUYERS AGENTS
When it is worth having someone on your side of the sale
A buyers agent represents the purchaser. We can introduce you to one, and keep the finance moving alongside the search.
WHAT THEY DO
A buyers agent works for the buyer, not the seller
In most property transactions the only licensed professional in the room is working for the vendor. A buyers agent is engaged by the purchaser to search, assess, negotiate and, where relevant, bid at auction on their behalf.
They typically charge either a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price. Whether that is worth paying depends on how much time you have, how competitive the market is, and how confident you are assessing value and negotiating.
We are not a buyers agency. Where it would help, we can introduce you to agents we know, and we will tell you plainly when we think you do not need one.
WHERE THEY HELP
The situations where one earns their fee
Assessing value
Unsure what something is worth?
Reading comparable sales properly is a skill. It is most valuable in an unfamiliar market or where you are buying from interstate or overseas.
Negotiating and bidding
Uncomfortable at auction?
Negotiating without emotion is difficult when it is your own money and your own future home. Some people simply buy better with a professional acting for them.
WORTH KNOWING
Before you engage one
Signs of a good arrangement
- They act only for buyers — with no selling side and no vendor relationships.
- Fees are clear and disclosed — including how and when they are payable.
- They are licensed — check the licence with NSW Fair Trading.
- They will decline properties — an agent who never says no is not assessing anything.
Questions to ask
- Do they receive anything from vendors? — any payment from the selling side is a conflict.
- Is the fee percentage-based? — a percentage of price creates an incentive worth understanding.
- What happens if you do not buy? — engagement terms differ on retainers and refunds.
- Are they buying in your market? — local knowledge is much of what you are paying for.
GET THE FINANCE READY
Sort the finance before the search
GET IN TOUCH
Want an introduction, or just the finance sorted first?
Would rather talk it through?
(02) 9659 1694Important information
Where we introduce you to a third party such as a buyers agent, conveyancer or adviser, we will tell you if we have any commercial arrangement with them. Any referral is an introduction only — you should make your own enquiries and satisfy yourself about who you engage.
The information on this page is general in nature. It has been prepared without taking your objectives, financial situation or needs into account, so it is not personal advice and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
Any rates, figures or examples shown are indicative only. Lending is subject to approval, and lender eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Talk to us about what your own circumstances allow.