A Melbourne buyer’s agent or advocate should make finding a new home more accessible and less stressful, but are they worth the money?
When seeking to purchase a house, having someone who’ll look after your interests 100% is attractive. Therefore, having a buyer’s agent on henderson.com.au would be ideal.
Melbourne buyer’s agent works for the buyer to search for properties, evaluate them, negotiate with the seller, and seal the deal at a favourable price.
Related: Take note of these things when hiring a melbourne buyers agency
Despite how alluring it might sound, a service like that is by no terms free. Generally, the service will normally cost roughly two percent of the property’s value, though prices and fee structures will vary significantly from agent to agent.
N.B. Although there is a chance a Melbourne buyer’s agent would or perhaps can save you money, there is no assurance that they will.
When negotiating a private sale, an agent’s skill in getting the necessary information and understanding the property’s market value will probably enable them to get a better offer than you. Each vendor has a price in mind, but they are open to challenges if there is a solid argument. A Melbourne buyer’s agent experienced in negotiations and armed with the proper valuation data should be able to challenge the vendor’s price expectations.
It’s a valuable lesson for buyers who might struggle to determine the actual value of a house or figure out how to bargain for a deal at the best price. However, this story does not imply that a buyer’s agent will always be able to negotiate several thousand bucks off the listing price. Buying the appropriate property at the cheapest offer is more crucial than just a bargain.
Off-market properties
These are properties that aren’t going to be advertised online, they can be an attractive option for a buyer. That’s because a buyer usually gets a better outcome than in a competitive auction setting. Ordinarily, a vendor wouldn’t opt to sell off-market except when they were in a hurry and short on time.
Access to these properties is often a selling point used by Melbourne buyer’s agents, but it’s probably not worth signing up for. However, somebody can still find these off-market properties online.
Providing precise figures on off-market opportunities is difficult because the way agents measure such metrics varies.
Save time
If you’re moving across the country or are an investor, a buyer’s agent can save you time when it comes to house hunting. However, this might be less of a pull for individuals with smaller incomes or who do not mind spending time shopping for homes.
Emotional detachment
Since a Melbourne buyer’s agent is not emotionally invested in the transaction, they should really be able to approach the problem more objectively. Being detached is advantageous because a typical buyer can be overly worried and more likely to overpay.
Is it worth it?
It is common knowledge that using a professional negotiator might be beneficial. The majority of people lack the necessary abilities because they wouldn’t purchase real estate more than 2 – 3 times in their lifetime. A Melbourne buyer’s agent can be quite helpful in evaluating the home and securing the deal because there are just a few houses on the market and more interested buyers.
It’s less obvious, though, how much money an agent would save on the eventual purchase cost and whether the price is fair. For individuals who don’t know how much a home is worth and are prone to overpaying, a Melbourne buyer’s agent can save you time and assist you in getting a house at the right price. You might never know if you overpay or are likely to do so.
What to look for in a Melbourne buyer’s agent
If you do decide to use a Melbourne buyer’s agent, here’s an idea of what to look out for:
- Independence
Every industry has its share of bad apples that don’t always act in the customer’s best interests. If the agent obtains compensation from other sources, it is the initial and most crucial question to ask. Developers looking to sell off stock may pay commissions or kickbacks to individuals posing as buyer’s representatives.
Check the agent’s license and examine the agency agreement – If commissions or rebates are received, that information must be disclosed.
- Experience and credentials
Melbourne’s buyer’s agents must be licensed real estate agents in order to work. Therefore, even while it’s crucial to confirm whether a potential representative is authorized, you should probably also inquire about their amount of expertise. It’s important to enquire about their experience in the field and request to talk with a few of their former customers.
- Fee and cost structure
Prices will differ amongst agencies; therefore, it pays to compare prices to obtain a feeling of value. Melbourne Buyer’s agents typically provide a few alternatives, with varying pricing, including the whole search and purchase service, an appraisal and negotiation service, or just someone to bid on your behalf at the auction. Two possible fee arrangements are a flat fee or a percent of the sale price. Although a buyer’s agent is often required by law to act in your best interests, you should be aware that a percentage fee structure may motivate the agent to pursue the lowest sale price because doing so could result in a higher commission.
Tips for finding a good Melbourne buyer’s agent
- Only deal with a licensed Melbourne buyer’s agency. You can check online through the relevant platforms.
- Ask prospective Melbourne buyer’s agents about their networks, relationships with seller’s agents, and what percent of their properties are off-market.
- Is the fee fixed or based on a percentage of the property’s purchase price?
- What experience and credentials do they possess? Do they have experience in the area in which you’re interested?
- Ask them personally, look at agency agreements, and inquire about their membership in regulated organizations to ensure they don’t have any other sources of income.
- Make sure you trust them and feel comfortable with them – buying a home is a big decision.