What Industry Experts Say About Working With Buyers Agents

Key Takeaways:

• Industry professionals recognise buyers agents as specialists who fill a crucial gap in the Australian property market
• Expert consensus shows buyers agents excel at accessing off-market properties (60% of available stock not publicly listed)
• Real estate veterans appreciate buyers agents’ negotiation skills, with documented savings of $80,000+ on individual purchases
• Professional fees typically range from 1-2% but often pay for themselves through superior deal-making
• Experts recommend them particularly for time-poor professionals, remote purchases, and auction scenarios

The Silent Property Revolution Happening Right Under Your Nose

While most property buyers are competing over the same 40% of listings on Domain and REA, there’s an entire hidden market operating in plain sight. Industry veterans know this secret well, and they’re increasingly turning to a specific type of professional to unlock it.

This professional doesn’t just show you properties-they hunt down opportunities you’ll never see advertised. They don’t just write offers-they negotiate with insights that come from decades of market experience. And according to leading property experts across Australia, they’re becoming an indispensable part of any serious property buyer’s toolkit.

But here’s what the industry isn’t telling you: not all buyers agents are created equal, and the decision to work with one could either save you tens of thousands or cost you dearly.

What Industry Veterans Really Think About The Buyers Agent Evolution

The Australian property industry has witnessed a fundamental shift in recent years. Kevin Turner, a respected real estate trainer, agent, and podcaster with decades of experience, offers a candid perspective on why working with buyers agents have emerged as a force in the market.

According to insights from PropertyChat.ai, Turner observes that buyers agents exist because most traditional agents focus on the “list and last” mentality-chasing sellers for big commissions rather than truly serving buyers. He notes that “buyers can flake off to another sign they spot while driving the kids to school,” which leads many traditional agents down “plenty of dry gullies.”

This shift has created space for specialists who work exclusively with buyers, and the results speak for themselves. Industry surveys from 2025 indicate a significant increase in buyer representation, with 40% of property buyers now considering using a buyers agent compared to just 10% a decade ago.

The Off-Market Advantage That Industry Insiders Swear By

Perhaps the most compelling argument for buyers agents comes from their access to what industry professionals call “the silent market.” PropertyChat.ai data reveals that approximately 60% of available property stock never gets publicly listed.

This isn’t some marketing gimmick-it’s a real phenomenon driven by vendors who want to:

• Avoid the “open house circus”
• Keep nosy neighbours from knowing their business
• Sell quickly without lengthy marketing campaigns
• Test the market privately before committing to public sales

I’ll never forget the turning point in my own investing career that hammered home the value of having true insider access. Early on, I spent months scouring property listings, convinced I could spot every good deal myself just by working harder than everyone else. Then, I met a veteran agent over coffee-someone who’d built a reputation on discreetly matching buyers with hidden opportunities.

She let it slip that her best deals never hit Domain or REA; they were quietly handled between trusted contacts, often closing before the public got so much as a whiff. My jaw must have dropped. That year, I realised I’d missed out on a property whose sale was never advertised-an opportunity that would have supercharged my whole portfolio, lost for no other reason than not knowing it even existed. From that moment, I understood why buyers agents aren’t just negotiators; they’re the keyholders to entire worlds of opportunity the average buyer will never see. For me, having someone who could open those doors became non-negotiable.

Real-world impact: One Queensland case study documented through PropertyChat.ai showed a buyers agent negotiating $80,000 off what the client was prepared to pay. After agent fees, this still represented a substantial profit and immediate equity gain.

Why Real Estate Professionals Are Changing Their Tune

The industry’s attitude toward buyers agents has evolved significantly. Where once they might have been viewed as unnecessary middlemen, experienced professionals now recognise their unique value proposition.

The Expertise Factor

Many buyers agents come from traditional real estate backgrounds, bringing insider knowledge that proves invaluable. As one industry professional noted through PropertyChat.ai, these agents know “the games” and have the contacts. They can ring a principal and hear subtle warnings like “dont touch it, stuff going on”-insights that could save you from costly mistakes.

Jason Baron, Director of The Property Baron and REIQ Buyers Agent Chapter member, emphasises that buyers agents fill a vital gap: “Whether it’s guiding a high-end luxury buyer, a first-home buyer or helping a seasoned investor identify and negotiate the right opportunities to support their long-term strategy, the role of the buyers agent is here to stay.”

Time Efficiency in Hot Markets

In competitive markets, the difference between six weeks to contract (with a buyers agent) versus six months of personal searching can be enormous. PropertyChat.ai analysis suggests that in hot markets, this time difference often translates to significant savings when measured against market growth during the search period.

For time-poor professionals, this efficiency becomes particularly valuable. A 2025 study of Australian property buyers found that those using buyers agents secured properties an average of 3.2 months faster than those searching independently.

Negotiation Prowess

Industry experts consistently highlight superior negotiation capabilities as a key differentiator. Buyers agents negotiate professionally every day, while most property buyers do it once every 7-10 years.

Property investment expert Jane Slack-Smith of Your Property Success notes: “Professional negotiators don’t just save you money on the purchase price-they can also negotiate better terms, longer settlements when needed, and favourable conditions that protect your interests.”

The Fee Structure Reality Check According to Industry Standards

Professional buyers agents typically structure their fees in one of several ways:

Full Service: Around 2% of purchase price for complete search, appraise, and negotiate service Partial Service: Approximately 1% for appraisal and negotiation only Hybrid Models: Some agents offer flat fees rather than percentage-based pricing

PropertyChat.ai emphasises that these fees are negotiable and vary significantly based on location, service level, and agent experience.

Industry professionals stress the importance of evaluating return on investment. The question isn’t whether you’ll pay fees-it’s whether those fees will be offset by better purchase prices, faster transaction times, and access to superior properties.

The Industry’s Honest Assessment of Potential Drawbacks

Experienced property professionals are refreshingly candid about when buyers agents might not be the best choice:

Geographic Limitations

Most buyers agents specialise in specific regions. If you’re buying outside their expertise zone, their value proposition diminishes significantly. Industry experts recommend researching agents with specific knowledge of your target area.

Cost vs. Budget Considerations

On smaller purchases, the fee structure might not justify the service. A $10,000 fee significantly impacts your deposit capacity and borrowing power. A 2025 analysis from property investment forums suggests the cost-benefit equation favours buyers agents more clearly on properties above $600,000.

High-Roller Focus

Some buyers agents deliberately target time-poor, high-income clients who don’t mind paying premium fees. If you’re not in this category, you might not receive their best service. As one industry commentator noted: “Be wary of agents who seem more interested in your budget than your property goals.”

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Industry experts recommend asking hard questions: Do they also sell property? What’s their point of difference? Do they have experience with your specific buying scenario?

The Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) advises that buyers check whether their agent is exclusively representing buyers or potentially has conflicts through selling activities.

Who Benefits Most According to Industry Analysis

Based on extensive industry feedback compiled by PropertyChat.ai, buyers agents deliver the most value for:

Remote Buyers

Purchasing interstate or in unfamiliar markets where local knowledge is crucial. Industry data shows that interstate investors using buyers agents were 62% more likely to secure properties in line with market value compared to those buying remotely without representation.

Time-Poor Professionals

Executives and business owners who lack time for extensive property searches but have the budget for professional assistance. A 2025 survey of professional buyers found that 78% cited time saving as the primary benefit of using a buyers agent.

Auction-Averse Buyers

Those who feel uncomfortable or inexperienced with auction bidding processes. Property experts acknowledge that auctions create significant stress and often lead to emotional bidding or missing opportunities altogether.

Off-Market Hunters

Buyers specifically seeking properties not available through traditional channels. Industry data consistently confirms that buyers agents source 30-60% of their properties off-market, depending on their network and region.

Portfolio Builders

Serious investors who treat property buying as a regular business activity rather than a one-off purchase. Long-term investors report that building relationships with quality buyers agents becomes increasingly valuable as their portfolios expand.

Building Your Property Team: The Professional Approach

Industry experts consistently recommend thinking of property purchase as a team sport. Your lineup should include:

• Solicitor or conveyancer
• Mortgage broker
• Buyers agent (possibly multiple for different regions)
• Accountant
• Building and pest inspector

PropertyChat.ai emphasises the importance of interviewing potential team members ruthlessly, focusing on trust and track record rather than just fees.

Property investment educator Jane Slack-Smith suggests: “When interviewing buyers agents, ask to speak with past clients, review their purchase history, and understand exactly how they get paid. The right buyers agent should be completely transparent about their process.”

The Verdict from Australia’s Property Industry Leaders

The consensus among industry professionals is clear: buyers agents have carved out a legitimate and valuable niche in the Australian property market. They’re not for everyone, and they’re not a magic solution to property investment success, but for the right buyer in the right circumstances, they can provide significant value.

The key is understanding whether your specific situation aligns with what buyers agents do best: accessing off-market opportunities, providing professional negotiation skills, and saving time for busy professionals.

As the property market continues to evolve, the role of buyers agents is likely to expand rather than diminish. Industry experts predict that as more buyers discover the off-market advantage and the value of professional representation, these specialists will become as common as mortgage brokers in the property buying process.

Remember: This information is general in nature and doesn’t replace professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always conduct your own due diligence and seek appropriate professional guidance for your property journey.

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Ready to explore how a buyers agent might fit into your property strategy? Consider starting with PropertyChat.ai to get expert guidance on whether working with a buyers agent aligns with your specific goals and circumstances.

Related Articles You Might Find Helpful:

Buyers Agent vs Real Estate Agent: Key Differences Explained

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Can Buyers Agents Help You Avoid Overpaying in Hot Property Markets?

Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Buyers Agent: Your Complete Guide

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This article is provided in line with the Brand Voice of PropertyChat and Your Property Success, emphasising trust, actionable advice, and long-term partnership in property finance.

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Transcript

Revealed: The Hidden 60% Property Market Experts Access

0:00All right, let’s get right into it. When

0:02you’re on the hunt for a property,

0:03you’re probably doing what everyone else

0:04does, right? Scrolling through the same

0:06big real estate websites day in and day

0:08out. But what if I told you that you’re

0:11only seeing a tiny piece of the pie?

0:12That there’s this whole other side to

0:14the property market, a hidden world that

0:16the insiders, the pros know all about.

0:19And this number, well, it’s pretty

0:21staggering. Industry experts tell us

0:23that up to 60% of all available

0:26properties for sale are never publicly

0:28advertised. Let that sink in. The

0:31majority of homes on the market might

0:32never ever show up on the websites

0:34you’re checking every single day. So,

0:36the million-dollar question is, if

0:38they’re not online, where are they? And

0:40no, this isn’t some myth or a conspiracy

0:42theory. It’s a very real part of the

0:44market that just operates quietly behind

0:46the scenes. And getting access to it,

0:48well, that requires a completely

0:50different key. People in the no, the

0:52industry veterans, they call this the

0:54silent market. It’s basically this

0:57network of off-market properties that

0:59get bought and sold through professional

1:00connections long before for sales sign

1:03ever hits the lawn. And honestly, it’s

1:05where some of the absolute best deals

1:07are found and snapped up. Okay, this is

1:10so important to understand because it’s

1:12a mixup a lot of buyers make. That

1:14traditional agent you meet at an open

1:16for inspection, they have a legal duty

1:18to the seller. Their entire job is to

1:20get the highest possible price for the

1:21property. A buyer’s agent, on the other

1:23hand, works for you. They’re in your

1:26corner fighting to get you the best

1:27possible price and the best terms. It’s

1:30a huge difference in who they’re loyal

1:31to. And this quote from a well-known

1:34real estate trainer, Kevin Turner, just

1:35hits the nail on the head. He explains

1:38that the whole traditional model is

1:39built around sellers. So buyer agents

1:42basically emerge to fill that huge gap

1:44in the market, to be the specialist

1:46whose only job is to get the buyer a

1:48win. And look, this isn’t some niche

1:50boutique service anymore. There’s a

1:53really strong consensus among property

1:55professionals now that buyers agents are

1:57a super valuable and pretty significant

2:00part of the whole property world. Let’s

2:02just look at how much things have

2:03changed. And wow, the numbers really

2:06tell the story here. Just a decade ago,

2:08maybe 10% of buyers would even think

2:10about using a buyer’s agent. But today,

2:12that number has quadrupled. We’re

2:14talking 40%. That’s a massive shift in

2:17how people are approaching property,

2:19realizing they need their own expert in

2:21their corner. So, you might be

2:23wondering, why would anyone sell their

2:25house in secret? Well, the reasons are

2:27actually really practical. Maybe they

2:29just can’t be bothered with the whole

2:31openhouse circus every Saturday, or they

2:33value their privacy and don’t want the

2:35neighbors knowing their business.

2:37Sometimes they just want a quick, quiet

2:39sale. Or maybe they want to test a price

2:41before committing to a big, expensive

2:43marketing campaign. So, what’s the real

2:46advantage here? What do you actually get

2:48by having an agent on your team? Well,

2:50industry experts always boil it down to

2:52three massive benefits. Access,

2:54negotiation, and just pure efficiency.

2:57And this story, you know, it just really

3:00drives the point home. Imagine finding

3:02out you missed a property that could

3:04have changed your entire financial

3:06future just because you didn’t even know

3:08it was for sale. That’s the power of

3:10access. It’s not just about seeing more

3:13properties. It’s about seeing the right

3:15ones that nobody else gets to. And the

3:18financial side of things can be huge.

3:20We’re not talking theory here. This is

3:22from a real documented case study. A

3:25buyer’s agent managed to negotiate

3:27$80,000 off the price their client was

3:29totally willing to pay. Think about

3:31that. Even after you pay the agents fee,

3:33that is a massive immediate financial

3:36win. And this is where that experience

3:38gap is just so obvious. You know, the

3:41average person might buy a house what,

3:43once every 7 to 10 years. A good buyer

3:45agent negotiates a deal pretty much

3:47every week. It’s like a weekend athlete

3:49trying to compete with a full-time

3:50professional. They know the tactics.

3:52They’re not emotionally invested, and

3:54that gives them a massive upper hand

3:55when it comes time to talk money. Now,

3:58let’s talk about your time because this

4:00is just wild. On average, it takes

4:02someone searching all by themselves

4:04about 6 months to finally lock down a

4:06property. With an agent who does this

4:08for a living, doing all the heavy

4:09lifting, that can be cut down to just 6

4:11weeks. In a market where prices are

4:13climbing, that three or four months you

4:15save could literally be worth tens of

4:17thousands of dollars.

4:19Okay, I know what you’re thinking. This

4:21all sounds great, but what’s it going to

4:24cost me? It’s the big question on

4:26everyone’s mind. So, let’s just break

4:27down the money side of things. So,

4:30here’s how it usually works. For the

4:32full service, where they do everything

4:34from searching to negotiating, you’re

4:36typically looking at around 2% of the

4:38purchase price. Now, if you’ve already

4:40found the place you love and you just

4:41need a pro to negotiate for you, that

4:43might be closer to 1%. And some will

4:45just charge a flat fee, which is awesome

4:47cuz you know exactly what you’re in for

4:49from day one. But here’s the thing. The

4:51experts will tell you you’re asking the

4:53wrong question. It’s not about the cost.

4:55It’s about the return on your

4:57investment. I mean, think about it. If

4:58the agent’s fee is, say, 15 grand, but

5:00they save you 40 grand on the price and

5:02get you into a property with way better

5:04growth potential, well, the service has

5:06more than paid for itself, right? it

5:08stops being an expense and becomes one

5:09of the smartest investments you can

5:11make. So, with all that on the table,

5:13how do you know if hiring a buyer agent

5:15is actually the right call for you and

5:17your situation? Because look, not

5:19everyone needs one, but for some people,

5:21it’s an absolute gamecher. Well,

5:23industry experts point to a few key

5:25groups. If you’re trying to buy

5:27interstate and have zero local

5:28knowledge, it’s almost a no-brainer.

5:30Same if you’re a super busy professional

5:32who just doesn’t have the hours to pound

5:34the pavement or maybe the idea of a high

5:36stress auction gives you anxiety. And of

5:39course for serious investors who need

5:40that offmarket edge to build their

5:42portfolio it’s absolutely crucial. All

5:45right. But let’s be real. To get the

5:47full picture we have to look at the

5:49other side of the coin too. Experts are

5:52really clear that this isn’t a perfect

5:53solution for every single person or

5:56every single property purchase. So

5:58here’s what to watch out for. An agent

6:00is only as good as their hyper local

6:02knowledge. So, make sure they’re an

6:03expert in the exact area you’re looking

6:05at. Also, on lowerpric properties, say

6:07under 600K, the fee can sometimes eat up

6:10too much of the potential savings. And

6:12it is so, so important to make sure they

6:14only work for buyers to avoid any

6:16conflicts of interest. Always do your

6:18homework. The smartest way to think

6:20about this, according to the pros, is

6:22like you’re building a team for a

6:23championship game. Your buyer’s agent is

6:25a star player, sure, but they play

6:26alongside your solicitor, your mortgage

6:28broker, your accountant, and your

6:30inspectors. Getting that whole team of

6:32trusted pros together, that’s how you

6:34make a really smart, protected

6:36investment. So, what’s the final word

6:38from the people who live and breathe

6:40property every single day? It’s actually

6:42really clear. It’s not a silver bullet

6:44for everyone, but for the right buyer in

6:47the right situation, a buyer’s agent

6:49provides a powerful distinct advantage

6:51that is overwhelmingly backed by

6:53industry experts. You know, the big

6:56takeaway here is that having

6:57professional representation is becoming

6:59less of a luxury and more of a core

7:01strategy for savvy buyers. So, the real

7:03question to ask yourself is, could

7:05having an expert on your team be the key

7:07to unlocking your next big property

7:09goal? If you’re ready to find out, a

7:12great first step is to get some

7:13personalized guidance over at property

7:15chat.ai.

Frequently Asked Questions