Buyer’s agents have exploded in popularity over the past few years – but are they right for everyone?

BENEFITS OF BUYERS AGENTS

A good buyer’s agent comes with a long list of benefits that goes far beyond their access to off market properties, says REBAA President Melinda Jennison from Streamline Property Buyers.

“It’s our job then to outline whether those off-market opportunities are appropriate based on the buyer’s objectives and also whether they’re priced adequately as well,” she says. “We’re then required to guide them through that decision-making process.”

Negotiation is another major drawcard. Selling agents are trained to get the best possible price for vendors, and many buyers don’t understand the negotiation tactics being used on them, she says.

“Hiring a buyer’s agent makes the playing field more level,” she says. “The buyer’s agent is able to provide recommendations and guidance to their buyer as to when to hold off and go to auction, when to submit a pre-auction offer, when to actually move in a multiple-offer situation depending on the market that they’re buying in.”

A good buyer’s agent will also be able to guide you on local legislation and help you purchase in areas you may be unfamiliar with while saving you time and stress by attending inspections and conducting research and due diligence, she adds.

Those who are time poor or who don’t understand much about the purchasing process or current market values can benefit greatly from partnering with a buyers agent, particularly downsizers who may be entering a very different market from the last time they purchased, Jennison says.

DOWNSIDES TO CONSIDER

One downside that can be a barrier for some people is cost, she says.

With fees varying significantly based on the level of experience and the type of service provided, she says it is near impossible to give a ballpark figure as to what buyers should expect to pay.

Sydney buyers agent Michelle May says buyers should be wary about the type of fee structure a buyer’s agent uses. While some charge a fixed fee, others have a tiered system and others even charge a percentage based on the sales price of the property.

“You’ve got to question the way a buyer’s agent charges you,” she says.

RISKS

One of the biggest downsides to using a buyers agent is the risk that you choose a bad one.

“Not all buyers’ agents are equal,” Jennison says. “The buyer’s agent industry as a whole is not tightly regulated.”

She recommends choosing a REBAA accredited agent. She says it’s a requirement of REBAA membership that buyer’s agents have experience and hold the appropriate licences required as well as professional indemnity insurance. If purchasing an investment property, the buyer’s agent should also be aligned with the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA).

May says the benefits buyer’s agents bring to the purchasing journey make them well worth it since they can help you find the right property for your goals at the best price thanks to their working knowledge of the market and the way selling agents operate. However, they are only worth it if you choose a good buyer’s agent with demonstrated experience in helping clients achieve their property goals.

“There are too many buyers agents around nowadays who are only focused on selling and they are only focused on making a buck for themselves,” she says. “I had a sales agent say to me a while back, ‘I love these new buyer’s agents because they buy all the shitty properties that I can’t sell and they pay too much for it. They don’t know what they’re doing and they’ll just pay anything for anything’.”

She says buyers should look for buyer’s agents with a minimum five years’ experience and at least 20-30 transactions per year.

“You need to talk to old clients of theirs and look at the properties they bought,” she says. “If they are buying new or off-the-plan, they are not worth paying for. We do not buy anything less than five years old because of the building defects that are happening on an overwhelming scale.”

She says they should also avoid buying on high volume traffic roads.

“They shouldn’t be selling to you, they should be telling you about the negatives of the property just as much as the opportunities,” she says.

Originally Published : Kate McIntyre | RealEstate.Com | 7 November 2025

https://www.realestate.com.au/news/pros-cons-and-risks-of-using-a-buyers-agent-to-purchase-property/?btr=f2fc16200f9c0e94ac07d7f3f33bd3ce

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