Questions To Ask A Buyers Agent

A buyer’s agent is like your secret helper when looking for a home or investment property. They know how to find great deals, save you time, and help you avoid stress. Whether you’re buying your first home or looking to invest, having a good buyer’s agent on your side makes a big difference.

Here are some important questions you can ask before choosing the right buyer’s agent for you.

Are You A Member Of Any Professional Associations?

Being part of professional real estate groups, like the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA), Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), or the local Real Estate Institute, can be a reassuring sign. These groups expect their members to follow strong ethical guidelines, which helps you feel more confident in the agent’s professionalism.

How Is Your Pricing Structured?

It’s important to know how your buyer’s agent gets paid. If they charge a fixed fee, it means they’re focused on finding you the best deal, not on how much the property costs. But if they earn a commission, they might make more money when you spend more, which could affect their advice.

Who Is Their Typical Client?

Some buyer’s agents focus on certain types of clients, like luxury buyers spending over $2.5 million, first-home buyers, or people buying in regional areas. It’s important to choose an agent who understands the kind of property you want, so their experience matches your needs.

How Many Off-Market Listings Have You Secured In The Last 2 Years?

A good buyer’s agent can show you special properties that aren’t advertised to the public, called “off-market” or “silent sales.” These hidden opportunities can be really helpful, especially if you’re looking for high-end homes. If your agent doesn’t have access to these, you might miss out on some great options.

What Was The Timeline From Sign Up To Purchase For Your Last 3-5 Clients?

Every client’s buying journey is a little different. Instead of relying on average numbers, it helps to ask your buyer’s agent about their most recent clients.

You can request details on how long it took from start to finish for their last three to five clients. This gives you a clearer idea of what to expect in today’s market.

How Much Experience Do They Have As A Buyer Advocate?

It’s best if your buyer’s agent has at least five years of experience. If they’re new to the job, they should be working closely with a licensed and experienced agent who has been in the industry for at least five years, ideally longer.

Be careful when you see phrases like “we have over 25 years of combined experience.” This can be misleading if the person helping you has only been doing the job for a few months. Always check how much experience your agent actually has.

Do You Have References Or Testimonials?

A trustworthy buyer’s agent should be happy to share reviews or feedback from past clients. You can even contact those clients to ask about their experience, did the agent do a good job, stay in touch, and act professionally?

Reading Google reviews can also help. Look for detailed ones, because they often show that people took the time to share honest and thoughtful feedback.

How Do You Keep Me Informed Throughout The Process?

Good communication helps you avoid confusion and stay up to date on new properties and market news. Talk with your agent about how you prefer to stay in touch, how often you’d like updates, and what kind of reports you’ll get.

Your agent should regularly share market updates, short reports on property options, and clear details about what they’ve been doing to help with your search.

Will You Receive Any Commission Or Referral Fee Or Commission From Any Other Party?

If you want to work with a truly independent buyer’s agent, this is an important question to ask.

Independent agents do not accept referral fees or commissions from other parties.

It’s best to be cautious of situations where someone might receive money for recommending a particular property.

Is There A Limit To How Many Properties I Can Attempt To Purchase Or Look At Before Buying?

Every buyer’s agent has their own way of working. Some might limit how many properties you can try to buy before charging extra, while others let you make as many offers as you like.

To avoid surprises later, it’s a good idea to ask about this at the start so you know exactly what to expect.

How Will You Balance The Needs Of Your Clients Who Have Requested Similar Criteria?

Even when two clients are looking in the same suburb, their needs are usually different. But if a buyer’s agent is helping too many clients at once, there’s a bigger chance that two people might want the same property.

Choose an agent who has a clear and fair process for handling this situation. This helps make sure every client is treated honestly and equally.

What Happens If I Don’t Buy A Property Within The Agreement Period?

Knowing the rules and flexibility in your agreement with a buyer’s agent helps protect you if things change or if the agent doesn’t find the right properties for you.

Ask how long the agreement lasts, what happens if you want to end it early, and if there are any fees for doing so. A confident and fair agent will include terms that protect both you and them.

What Other Special Skills Do They Bring To The Table?

Many buyer’s agents come from different professional backgrounds. Some studied business, marketing, accounting, science, or law. Others may have worked as selling agents, or joined the industry because they love property and have personal experience buying or investing.

Having a mix of skills and knowledge helps make the industry stronger and gives clients better results. It’s a good idea to ask your agent if they have any special skills or experience that help them stand out.

In Summary:

In the end, choosing the right buyer’s agent means asking smart questions. When you learn about their experience, skills, and how they handle the buying process, you can make a confident choice. It also helps to understand how they charge fees, how often they’ll communicate with you, and how available they are, all of this makes working together easier and more successful.

On the other hand, hiring someone who lacks experience, motivation, or is only in it for the money can lead to problems and wasted money. You might end up disappointed if the agent doesn’t deliver the service you expected.

If you’d like to work with us to find your next home or investment, we’ll happily walk you through every step so you can feel confident in your decision.