If you’re considering purchasing a property in Brisbane, whether to live in or as an investment, you might find yourself not quite sure where to start.
After all, Brisbane has been an interesting property market over the last few years; it was predicted to perform strongly, only to suffer from a massive apartment oversupply and sluggish price growth.
Now, pockets of Brisbane’s property market seem to be heading in the right direction.
For those who are poised to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in Queensland’s capital city, a buyer’s agent could be the ideal professional to turn to.
Often, people make the mistake of thinking a buyer’s agent is simply someone who takes orders and matches your property to their needs – but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
At Metropole, not only have we been well established in the Brisbane market since 2006, but we have also arguably assisted more investors than any other buyer’s agents located in the city.
This puts us in the position of having more than decade of experience, buying in this unique market.
Often, people think a buyer’s agent is simply someone who takes orders, but this couldn’t be further from the truth – not from our perspective, at least.
Here, we like to do things differently
Our approach is to arrange for our clients to meet with a property strategist first, long before you even begin to view properties, in order to create and build you a personalised Strategic Property Plan.
We find this is a highly effective way of ensuring our clients receive the best result – and this applies regardless of whether the purchase is intended as a home or an investment property.
Property creates wealth, after all, and having a clear strategy from the outset is the most effective way to go.
No matter whether you’re an investor or home buyer, Metropole will be able to assist you in getting what you need.
You could be searching for your dream “forever” home; looking to downsize into a more manageable abode; or seeking a profitable investment opportunity.
No matter whether you’re an investor or home buyer, a good buyer’s agent is able to assist you in achieving your goal.
Wondering how a buyer’s agent can help you?
Generally, our buyer’s agent service will cover things like:
- Searching for suitable property within your desired locations, which suit your needs
- Communicating and meeting with selling agents in these markets
- Leveraging their research databases, network and expertise to access ‘off market’ deals
- Referrals to other professionals who can assist you, such as financial, accounting and legal services
- Arranging and recommending necessary due diligence – such as strata checks, and building and/or pest inspections
- Organisation and preparation of necessary property reports that will help you evaluate the properties
- Importantly, negotiating over the price and conditions of your offer
- Checking final contracts and pre-settlement inspections
Another big benefit of engaging a buyer’s agent, is the ability to make use of their industry insight and objectivity.
They level the playing field (the vendor has an agent working for them) and bring a level of perspective that money can’t buy.
A buyer’s agent is an impartial third party, meaning they aren’t going to allow their emotions – such as excitement and nervousness, the usual feelings that crop up during the property buying process – get in the way of making a clear, sensible decision.
A buyer’s agent will also assist in negotiating with the seller once you’ve found your desired property.
This is something that is likely to make the novice and even expert buyer a bit nervous, so having it taken care of by someone who knows the industry can be a huge weight off your shoulders.
What should you ask a potential buyer’s agent?
With so many variables in the equation, it’s likely that you’ll have plenty of questions for your potential buyer’s agent.
If you’re not sure what to ask to make the most of your initial appointment, here are some key questions:
1. How many years have you been in business as a buyer’s agent/real estate professional?
Real estate can be a fickle beast, and while there may be no harm in hiring a young gun who’s just entered the business, a buyer’s agent with more years of experience is likely to have deeper market knowledge when it comes to value and performance.
There many years of finely-honed negotiation expertise will also fall in your favour.
2. Do you have any access to ‘silent sales’?
One of the big benefits of working with a buyer’s agent is the access you’ll get to properties that haven’t even been advertised on the market yet.
This means you have a better chance of snapping up your dream home or ideal investment before anyone else has even had a chance to add it to their shortlist – because you’ll see if before it becomes known to the general public.
Talk about a leg up!
3. Can I see a list of client references?
Unless you are quite literally the agent’s first ever client, they should be able to present a list of happy, satisfied clients with references.
If they’re apprehensive in giving one to you, there’s likely a reason why, so it’s important to take note of that.
While you may not be able to speak directly to past clients, a list of testimonials will be able to give you an insight into how the agent handled the process, how available they were in regards to communicating with the buyer, and just how helpful they really were in helping the client achieve their property goals.
4. What resources do you have?
I wouldn’t be working with a one-man-band – I’d look for someone who’s part of a professional team?
Ask them what their team and network are like.
5. Who has trained them?
Have they been properly mentored by an experienced industry professional or not?
I wouldn’t be working with an enthusiastic amateur
6. How do you get paid?
Remember your buyers agent should be working exclusively for you, not be selling properties part time and never take vendor or developer kickbacks.
For further help in choosing and purchasing your Brisbane property, contact Metropole Property Specialists today to discuss your options with our industry professionals. Just click here now or call us on 1300 METROPOLE
