Buying and selling real estate can be complicated. That’s where buyers agents and real estate agents come in.

A real estate agent is a professional who sells properties. Who does a real estate agent represent? The seller. Real estate agents are paid through commission from either the seller or the vendor.

A buyers agent, as you may have guessed, represents the buyer. They act in the buyer’s best interest and help them through the process of securing the property they want.

Learn About Agent Differences

Buyer’s agents generally charge for service like a real estate sales agent ie, a percentage commission. This can make sense if you’re selling a property as the sales agent is incentivised to achieve a higher sales price. This method can make less sense for buyers – paying more commission to your buyers agent the more you pay for your property. In a hotter market such as during 2020- 2021, Unicorn Buyers Agents are often locked in fixed fees, to protect our clients.

This year in a neutral to cooling market as property prices go lower, a percentage-based fee can make sense as buyers may get a pleasant surprise with a lower than expected commission. For maximum flexibility and transparency, we always offer clients the choice to lock in a fixed fee or to hire us on a percentage-based fee.

Learn About Buyer Agent Fees

Anyone who has spent time house-hunting will be familiar with the term ‘off-market’ property. Buyers agents love to communicate their proficiency accessing off-market properties, and for good reason. A prospective buyer agent client’s two most common questions will be i) why would anyone attempt to sell their house without actually putting it on the market, and ii) can you find me an off-market property that I’ll love? There’s more to these obscure opportunities than meets the eye. 

Not all off-market properties are the same and quite a number of homes and investment properties touted as off-market listings are better defined as “pre-market”. There is an agency agreement in place with a selling agent and it is ‘for sale’ however it won’t be advertised via the mainstream channels such as domain.com.au and the local community papers. 

Learn About Off-Market Properties

Many people use buyer’s agents when they’re buying a home to live in, but when it comes to their investment property, most choose to go it alone because there’s less emotion involved. But in many ways, buyer’s agents are even more important when buying an investment property.

A well-connected buyer’s agent can provide off-market opportunities and give the buyer the extra advantage in their search for the right property. Buyer’s agents can help investors identify locations that are not necessarily considered “hot” by using both macro and micro lenses.

Why Investors Need Agents

A good buyer’s agent in Sydney will understand your brief in detail, then tailor their services and fees to your exact needs. This may be as simple as attending an auction to bid on your behalf, or appraising a property you have found, or conducting the entire search campaign all the way from day one to contract settlement.

A top buyers agent will show you the property that ticks your boxes, and sometimes that may be unconventional- but a buyers agent will also show you how an easy low-cost renovation can leave you with the property you dreamed of.

An expert buyers agent will be your voice of reason- guiding you to avoid psychological pitfalls like analysis paralysis, FOMO, buyers remorse and more.

Finally, a good buyers agent will ensure you pay the right price, which means a discount to a comparable property, or ensuring you don’t overpay.

Understand Agent Costs