Buy the right home at the right price.

A buyer's agent is your personal property expert who works only for you, the buyer. They help you filter through properties, negotiate deals, and guide you through the entire purchase process - all while focusing on getting you the best possible price and terms.

In our experience, the experience and eventual purchase price of your home has a huge impact on your financial health and wellbeing.

Ways a buyer’s agent can save you money:

• Negotiation power – They negotiate on your behalf, often securing properties with better terms or for a sharper price.
• Access to off-market deals – Some properties never hit the open market, meaning less competition and potentially better pricing.
• Avoiding overpaying – They provide comparable sales data, helping you avoid emotional overbidding - especially in auction contexts.
• Due diligence & hidden costs – They help identify red flags in properties, saving you from costly mistakes.
• Time & opportunity cost – Finding the right property faster means you can lock in better prices before market conditions shift. We believe time in-market is generally better than trying to time the market.

Of course, buyer’s agents can’t guarantee they’ll be able to purchase a property for less than it’s worth, but you may find the service saves you plenty of hassle and worry simply by having a qualified professional on your side to help.

Buying your own home is likely one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. When you purchase a home in Australia, the chances are you're negotiating against the selling agent, whose number one job is to extract the highest sale price for their client. Doesn't it make sense to have a professional on your side too?

A buyer's agent provides expertise and support that can be invaluable during this process:

Market knowledge and access

Access to off-market properties where available
Deep understanding of local property values and growth potential
Data-driven insights into suburb and area trends
Access to comprehensive property data and sale histories

Time and stress reduction

Manage communications with selling agents
Attend auctions on your behalf and handle all negotiations
Filter out unsuitable properties before you invest time viewing them

Negotiation power

Professional negotiation experience and tactics
Understanding of seller motivations and market conditions
Ability to remain emotionally detached during negotiations
Skills to secure better purchase terms and conditions

Risk management

Thorough property assessment and due diligence
Identification of potential issues or red flags
Guidance on property reports and inspections
Professional assessment of fair market value

Buyer's agent services in Australia typically follow two pricing models: fixed fee or percentage-based.

OwnHome's Buyer's Agent Service is a fixed fee: a $500 + GST retainer to get started and a $12,500 + GST success fee at exchange. It's included at no extra cost for Deposit Boost Loan customers who pay their Low Deposit Premium upfront.

Fixed fee services

Fixed fee arrangements charge a set amount regardless of the property's final purchase price. The advantages and drawbacks of this model are:

Greater transparency with predictable upfront costs
No incentive to push higher-priced properties
Aligned incentive between buyer's agent and the buyer's interests
Equal service regardless of budget
Clearer budgeting for home buyers
You don't get a discount on the service if the price ends up being significantly cheaper

Percentage-based services

Some buyer's agents charge based on the property's purchase price, typically 1-3%. Pros and cons include:

The cost of the service is dependent on the value of the property
Less predictable final costs, but often within a range you know
Potential conflict of interest, as the agent makes more when you pay more, which may influence property recommendations and negotiation tactics
Higher-priced properties mean larger percentage fees for the same agent service
May be more widely available, as it's the traditional model

OwnHome's buyer's agents work across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Yes, to operate legally, buyer's agents must hold a valid license in their respective state. While specific requirements differ by jurisdiction, being licensed is mandatory. 

Additionally, reputable buyer's agents often maintain memberships with recognised industry organisations, including:

• Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA)
• Real Estate Institute branches (VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, etc.)

Your state's Fair Trading website provides tools to check and verify a buyer's agent's licensing status.

A buyer's agent works for the property buyer, a real estate agent works for the property sellers.

Buyer's agents

Work exclusively for property buyers
Focus on finding and securing properties at the best possible price
Provide unbiased property advice and recommendations
Handle negotiations with the buyer's best interests in mind
Often have access to off-market properties and pre-listings
Typically charge a fixed fee or percentage of purchase price
Must declare any conflicts of interest

Real estate agents (sales agents)

Represent property sellers or vendors
Primary goal is achieving the highest possible sale price
Market and advertise properties for sale
Conduct open homes and private inspections
Handle negotiations to maximise the seller's return
Earn commission based on the final sale price
May also manage rental properties as property managers

Key difference: A buyer's agent's sole focus is protecting the buyer's interests throughout the purchase process, while a real estate agent works to achieve the best outcome for the property seller.

Property sellers employ a real estate agent to sit on their side of the table during negotiations. Having professional help to protect you is a smart way to ensure you get the best possible deal.

A building and pest inspection report helps to uncover hidden damage or defects in a property before you bid on or buy a home. Each report can cost up to $400 to $600. A building and pest inspection report helps to check for structural damage, rising damp, pest infestations (such as termites) and other common defects. This step helps you to get informed and make a confident purchase decision.

Conveyancing is the process of transferring the legal ownership of the land to the new owner. A conveyancer is a qualified professional who will help you ensure that your home purchase happens smoothly. OwnHome works with conveyancers who are experts at advising home buyers when reviewing contracts and navigating the settlement process.