What Is a Buyers Agent?
A buyers agent is a real estate agent who represents the interests of the property buyer, rather than the seller. They are usually engaged and paid by the buyer to help identify, evaluate and negotiate properties that fit an agreed brief.
In many Australian property transactions, the selling agent primarily represents the vendor. A buyers agent exists to provide support on the other side of the transaction, helping purchasers stay organised, informed and confident through the search and negotiation process.
How a Buyers Agent Differs from a Selling Agent
The key distinction between a buyers agent and a traditional selling agent is who their primary client is:
- A selling agent (or listing agent) acts for the vendor. Their core obligation is to the seller, and they are usually paid via a commission set out in the sales agency agreement.
- A buyers agent acts for the purchaser. Their core obligation is to the buyer, and they are usually paid via a fee or commission set out in the buyers agency agreement.
This separation is meant to reduce conflicts of interest and create clearer alignment of incentives. However, it is still important to read each agency agreement carefully to understand services, fees and any limitations.
What Does a Buyers Agent Typically Do?
The services offered by buyers agents vary, but common inclusions may be:
- Clarifying your brief (budget, property type, preferred areas)
- Searching for suitable properties, including on-market and, in some cases, off-market options
- Arranging or attending inspections and providing practical feedback
- Coordinating due diligence steps (for example, building, pest and strata reports) with your professional advisers
- Assisting with negotiations or auction bidding based on your instructions
Our Buyers Agent Sydney resource provides more detail on how these services can apply across different parts of the city.
Who May Choose to Work with a Buyers Agent?
Not everyone will need or want a buyers agent. However, people who sometimes engage buyers agents include:
- First home buyers who value guidance on inspections, negotiation and comparing suburbs
- Investors who are assessing multiple locations and want help narrowing down options or coordinating due diligence
- Time-poor professionals who cannot attend many inspections but still want a structured search
- Interstate or overseas buyers who need local representation on the ground
Whether working with a buyers agent is appropriate will depend on your budget, comfort with the process, and how much support you want alongside your legal, tax and financial advisers.
What a Buyers Agent Does Not Usually Do
Understanding the limits of the role is just as important as understanding the services offered. In most cases, buyers agents do not:
- Provide legal advice (for example, about contract terms or title)
- Provide tax or financial advice (for example, on structures, negative gearing or retirement planning)
- Decide what you should buy – they can present options, but the final decision remains with you
- Guarantee property performance or remove investment risk
A buyers agent should work alongside, not replace, your solicitor or conveyancer, mortgage broker or lender, accountant and financial adviser.
How Buyers Agents Charge
Buyers agents in Australia use a range of fee structures, such as fixed fees, percentage-based fees, or tiered packages. Some may charge an upfront retainer plus a success fee on purchase, while others may offer different scope options (for example, full search vs negotiation-only).
Our dedicated resource on buyers agent fees explains these pricing models in more detail, including high-level considerations you can discuss with your advisers.
Questions to Ask Before Engaging a Buyers Agent
If you are considering working with a buyers agent, helpful questions may include:
- What services are included, and over what timeframe?
- How are fees structured, and when are they payable?
- Which areas and property types do they focus on (for example, Sydney, specific regions, houses vs apartments)?
- How will they communicate with your solicitor, broker and other advisers?
- What happens if you choose not to buy during the agreed period?
Our property buyer checklist and Working with a Buyers Agent resources may help structure these conversations in a neutral way.
Considering Whether a Buyers Agent Is Right for You?
If you're exploring the idea of working with a buyers agent in Sydney and would like to understand how our approach fits alongside your legal, tax and financial advice, Iconic Assets can assist with practical research, suburb comparisons and negotiation as your licensed buyers agent in Sydney. We always recommend that you also seek independent legal, financial and tax advice before making any property decisions.
Book a ConsultationImportant Information
This page is a general overview only. It does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not professional advice and should not be treated as a recommendation to use, or not use, a buyers agent.
Buyers agents cannot provide legal, tax or financial advice unless separately qualified and licensed to do so. Their role usually focuses on property search, due diligence coordination and negotiation, not on setting your strategy, loan structure or tax position.
Before deciding whether to work with a buyers agent, you should speak with appropriately qualified legal, tax and financial advisers about your broader plan and affordability.