How a Buyer’s Agent Simplifies the Home Buying Journey: A Complete Guide 2025
How a Buyer’s Agent Simplifies the Home Buying Journey: A Complete Guide 2025
For most people, buying a home is the single biggest purchase they’ll make in their life. For first time home buyers, in particular, the process can be daunting. Fortunately, there is a real estate expert who can hold your hand throughout the process. A buyer’s agent can guide you through the property buying process as it pertains to your state.
What is a buyer’s agent?
A buyer’s agent, also called a buyer’s advocate, is a licensed real estate professional representing the buyer in a property transaction. Sellers have real estate agents representing them; buyers can enlist the services of a buyer’s agent. A homebuying buyer’s agent acts on your behalf and in your best interest to negotiate and secure a property transaction.
The roles of a buyer’s agent
Working with a buyer’s agent can simplify the homebuying process. They can walk you through every step of the journey and help you buy the right property at a fair price.
Here’s what a homebuying buyer’s agent can do for you.
1. Provide market research
Most buyer’s agents work in a specific geographical area. At BFP Property, we are based in Sydney, and our primary focus is on high-end markets in the Hills District, North Shore, Northern Beaches and the Inner West. We offer buyers deeper insights into the housing market in these areas than a generalist agent could.
Consider this when choosing a buyer’s agent. A local agent can help you understand the local housing market at a micro level and how those factors influence home values and growth potential.
2. Conduct property searches
Finding the right property can be time-consuming. A property buyer’s agent can do the legwork for you. Tell them what your ideal location is, the type of property you seek and your budget, and they’ll find, inspect and shortlist properties that match or closely fit your needs.
Furthermore, buyer’s agents for off-market properties have access to properties not publicly listed. They could locate off-market properties through their connections with real estate agents and private sellers. The exclusivity of off-market properties means you’re competing against fewer buyers, which could increase the chance of negotiating a better deal.
3. Perform due diligence
If you buy a home unaided, you could miss defects that are not apparent during a viewing. A property-buying agent can arrange building and pest inspections and request survey and engineering reports.
They can also conduct background research on the area to inform you about neighbourhood infrastructure issues, zoning plans and upcoming developments that could affect the property or surrounding areas.
This type of information can help you avoid buying the wrong property. If, however, you are interested in buying the property, you can use the negatives as leverage to negotiate a lower price.
4. Negotiate on your behalf
When you reach the price negotiation stage, here’s where a buyer’s agent can be worth their weight in gold. Buyer agents are highly skilled in property negotiation.
First, they will assess the level of buyer competition and the number of similar properties for sale. This helps them determine a property’s position in the market and what a reasonable offer would be.
Next, they’ll liaise with the real estate agent and put your offer forward. Should the seller not accept the offer, they’ll start negotiations. A skilled buyer’s agent can anticipate pushback from a seller and may have worked this into the negotiation strategy. They can read the situation and advise you on whether to push for the deal or adjust your offer.
Buyer agents can also attend and bid at property auctions on your behalf.
5. Facilitate the settlement
The legal and regulatory framework governing property transactions in Australia can be complex, and laws differ between states. This can confuse or overwhelm buyers, especially first-time home buyers.
A buyer’s agent can help you navigate the complexities of sales contracts, negotiate settlement terms and conduct a pre-settlement inspection.
How much do buyer’s agents charge?
Some buyer’s agents charge a flat fee, while others take a percentage of the purchase price, typically between 1% and 3%.
Some agents operate on a tiered fee structure. For example, they may charge 2% on a purchase price below $1 million and 1.5% above $1 million.
Most buyer’s agents also include an engagement fee, and some add a success fee at the end of the transaction.
Many home buyers prefer a flat fee, as it means they know what they’ll pay upfront.
If your agent is commission-based, there may be room to negotiate a capped fee or waive the engagement fee if the purchase is successful.
It’s important to remember that choosing a buyer’s agent should not solely be based on cost but on their knowledge and expertise so you can gain the most benefit from the partnership.
The benefits of hiring a buyer’s agent
A property buyer’s agent can save you time and make the home-buying journey easier.
Their expert negotiating skills can help you secure the right property at a fair, and possibly discounted price. Additionally, a buyer’s agent can help you find a property in an area with high growth potential, which could substantially increase your home’s value in the future.
BFP Property Group is a buyer’s agency located in Sydney. We can help you navigate the property buying journey with ease. To get started, book a call with one of our experienced buyer’s agents here.
