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

• Early access to off-market properties and pre-listings
• 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

If you’re looking to secure your financial future through property, the asset and purchase price you agree to has a direct impact on your potential earnings. 

A buyer's agent brings particular value when purchasing investment properties, helping maximise returns and minimise risks:

Investment strategy alignment

• Help select properties that match your investment goals
• Access to rental yield potential and capital growth prospect information
• Analyse demographics and tenant demand
• Identify properties with value-add opportunities

Market analysis

• Access to detailed market data and trends
• Knowledge of emerging growth areas
• Insights into infrastructure changes that could affect property values

Objective decision making

• Remove emotional bias from the purchase
• Focus purely on investment metrics
• Evaluate properties based on data and returns
• Compare opportunities across different markets

Location advantage

• Confidently access properties in different states or regions
• Local knowledge of high-performing areas
• Understanding of regional market dynamics
• Access to off-market opportunities nationwide

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

OwnHome offers a straightforward fixed fee structure: a $3,000 refundable retainer plus a success fee upon purchase.

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 - 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
• Depending on the retainer fee, may be cheaper if you don’t find a property

Why choose fixed fee? 

A fixed fee structure with a refundable retainer, like OwnHome's, can offer great value for home buyers, as it has the best of both worlds. The investment covers essential services including:

• Expert property advice
• Time-saving property search
• Professional negotiation
• Deep market knowledge
• Risk management

And our money-back guarantee means you can get your money back if you decide not to purchase.

OwnHome's Buyer's Agent Service operates nationwide in Australia, covering:

New South Wales

• Greater Sydney
• Newcastle and Hunter Region
• Wollongong and Illawarra
• Central Coast
• Central West

Victoria

• Greater Melbourne
• Geelong
• Ballarat
• Bendigo
• Mornington Peninsula

Queensland

• Greater Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Sunshine Coast
• Toowoomba
• Cairns

Western Australia

• Greater Perth
• Margaret River Region
• Bunbury
• Mandurah

South Australia

• Greater Adelaide
• Barossa Valley
• Adelaide Hills
• Victor Harbor

Australian Capital Territory

• Canberra and surrounding regions

OwnHome’s buyer's agents have extensive local knowledge across these regions to help you secure your ideal property.

We are soon to launch in Tasmania and the Northern 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 Buyers Agents Association (REBAA)
• Real Estate Institute branches (VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, etc.)

All OwnHome buyer’s agents hold qualifications and membership.

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

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 Buyers Agents Association (REBAA)
• Real Estate Institute branches (VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, etc.)

All OwnHome buyer’s agents hold qualifications and membership.

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 seller'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.