Q&A · Last reviewed 2026-05-01
Do I need a buyer's agent?
Useful if: you're buying interstate, time-poor, in a tight market with off-market stock, or paying $1.5M+ where 1-2% fee is justified. Less useful if: you have local knowledge, low budget where the fee is meaningful relative to the asset, or are buying a niche where the BA's network doesn't reach.
Buyer's agents (BAs) are licensed agents who act exclusively for the buyer. They source properties (including off-market deals), negotiate purchase price, and often coordinate inspections + conveyancing. Typical fee: 1.5-2.5% of purchase price, or fixed-fee around $10-15K for full service.
When BAs add value: 1) interstate purchases where local-knowledge gaps cost more than the fee, 2) tight markets where off-market access materially improves choice, 3) high-value purchases ($1.5M+) where 1-2% fee is small vs negotiation savings, 4) busy professionals where the time saved is worth the fee.
When BAs add less value: low-value purchases ($500K-$700K) where the fee is a meaningful % of the asset, niche markets (rural, regional outside the BA's beat) where their network doesn't reach, simple owner-occupier purchases in your home suburb, or when you have local agent + investor relationships of your own.
Vetting checklist: REBAA membership, fee structure transparent (fixed or % from buyer, NOT commission from vendor), willingness to share methodology + recent track record on similar suburbs to your target. Avoid agents who can't show held/missed picks over 12+ months.
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Informational. Not financial advice. Verify with a licensed adviser appropriate to your circumstances.
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