What is a Buyers Advocate and Why Do You Need One?
Buying property is one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make. Whether you are purchasing your first home, upgrading, downsizing or investing, navigating the real estate market can be overwhelming. With fluctuating prices, competitive bidding and off-market opportunities, it’s easy to make costly mistakes.
This is where a buyers advocate (also known as a buyers agent) comes in. A buyers advocate works exclusively for you – the buyer – offering expert guidance in finding, evaluating and securing the right property. Unlike real estate agents who represent the seller, a buyers advocate is 100% focused on protecting your best interests.
1. What Does a Buyers Advocate Do?
Property Search & Market Research
A professional buyers advocate has expert knowledge of the property market and access to both on-market and off-market properties.
A buyers advocate will:
- Identify properties that match your budget, lifestyle and investment goals.
- Provide insights into high-growth suburbs and emerging market trends.
- Shortlist the best properties and handle all initial enquiries and inspections.
Property Evaluation & Due Diligence
Not all properties are created equal and it takes an experienced advocate to separate the good from the bad. A buyers advocate will conduct thorough due diligence by:
- Analysing property values, zoning laws and future growth potential.
- Identifying hidden risks such as flood zones, structural issues and planning restrictions.
- Providing comparative market analysis to ensure you don’t overpay for a property.
Negotiation & Securing the Best Outcome
Negotiating a property purchase can be challenging, especially in the competitive Melbourne market. Buyers advocates are expert negotiators who:
- Handle all price negotiations with the selling agent.
- Use market data and valuation reports to strengthen your position.
- Ensure you pay the best possible price while securing favourable contract terms.
Many buyers who use an advocate save thousands on their property purchase, as they avoid overpaying due to emotional decision making.
2. Key Benefits of Hiring a Buyers Advocate
Saving Time & Reducing Stress
Searching for the right property can take months. A buyers advocate does the legwork, from research to inspections, streamlining the process so you can focus on other priorities.
Access to Off-Market Opportunities
One of the biggest advantages of working with a buyers advocate is gaining access to properties that never hit the public market. Through extensive industry networks, buyers advocates connect with selling agents to uncover exclusive listings.
Eliminating Emotional Decision Making
Buying a property is an emotional process and many buyers overpay due to fear of missing out (FOMO). A buyers advocate offers objective advice, ensuring you make sound financial decisions rather than impulse-driven purchases.
3. How to Choose the Right Buyers Advocate
Qualifications and Experience Matter
When choosing a buyers advocate, it’s crucial to verify their credentials and industry experience. Look for:
- Licensed real estate professionals with a proven track record.
- Membership in reputable industry bodies like REIV (Real Estate Institute of Victoria) and REBAA (Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia).
- Experience in your target location and property type (e.g., family homes, investment properties, off-market sales).
Asking the Right Questions
Before engaging a buyers advocate, ask these essential questions:
- What areas and property types do you specialise in?
- Can you provide client testimonials or case studies?
- How do you charge for your services – fixed fee or percentage-based?
- Do you accept commissions from selling agents? (A reputable advocate will always act independently.)
4. Buyers Advocate vs. Real Estate Agent: Understanding the Difference
Many buyers mistakenly assume that real estate agents will help them find the best outcome, but in reality, selling agents work for the vendor (seller), not the buyer. Their primary goal is to secure the highest price for the property.
A buyers advocate, on the other hand, works exclusively for the buyer, ensuring you get the best outcome possible.
5. Is a Buyers Advocate Worth the Cost?
Understanding the Fees
Buyers advocates charge in different ways:
- Fixed fee: A set amount regardless of property price.
- Percentage-based fee: A percentage of the final purchase price.
While some buyers hesitate at the cost, consider the long-term financial savings. Studies show that buyers using an advocate save an average of 5-10% on purchase price, often far exceeding the advocate’s fee.
Case Study: How a Buyers Advocate Saved a Client Thousands
A recent client – a busy professional looking to buy in Melbourne’s inner suburbs – initially struggled to find a suitable home within budget. After engaging a buyers advocate, they:
- Gained access to an off-market property that matched their criteria.
- Secured the home $45,000 below the initial asking price through expert negotiation.
- Avoided overpaying due to competitive bidding wars.
The result? A stress-free buying experience and a property that met all their long-term needs.
Hiring a buyers advocate is one of the smartest decisions you can make when purchasing property.
How Can This Benefit You?
- Reduces stress, emotion and guess work out of securing the right property.
- An independent advisor as part of your team – formulating a clear personalised strategy.
- Saves you time and money by researching properties that meet your criteria, previewing homes and handling negotiations.
- Conduct due diligence and negotiation without compromising on what’s best for you.
- Solid network with extensive reach delivers pre and off market opportunities.
- Identifies any threats or concerns for long term value of the property.
- Advises how to identify a future proof floor plan and location.
- Experience in negotiating, levelling the field between yourself and agent.
If you are looking to buy property in Melbourne, let Inview Property Group help you navigate the market with ease. Our experienced buyers advocates specialise in securing the best homes at the right price.
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the stress out of property buying.
By Lynda McNeill
