All Topics / General Property / Using a Buyers Agent

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • Profile photo of House CallHouse Call
    Member
    @house-call
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 165

    Hi all. I'm considering engaging services of a buyers agent to help me find a new IP (or several if they are good enough).
    Any recommendations on using buyers agents or who to use?

    I have trawled the net (as I'm sure many of you guys have) for hours and hours looking for possible investment properties but time constraints and getting in too late (after other buyers) seems to plague me.  It sounds like these agents get emails and phone calls before the rest of us punters, which may give them the advantage (and that might make them pay for themselves, despite my usual preference to DIY everything).

    Suggestions anyone?

    Profile photo of House CallHouse Call
    Member
    @house-call
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 165

    thanks guys.  Only problem I have is that these charge $795 to join up and then 2.5% of purchase price (Less your upfront $795 if you buy, then 2.5% thereafter) .  Isn't there an incentive for them to NOT get the lowest possible price for you then?  They get more if purchase price is more, even though officially they are trying to get it for you for less.

    Have either of you had good experiences with using them?

    Profile photo of jdesiljdesil
    Member
    @jdesil
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 7

    Cashflow Capital Pty Ltd cashflowcapital.com.au, what can people tell me about this company, does anyone have any actual experience of using this company as a buying agent, I would really like to hear about anyones experiences with them?

    Cheers

    Profile photo of TerrywTerryw
    Participant
    @terryw
    Join Date: 2001
    Post Count: 16,213

    Would help if you gave an area where you want to look

    Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
    http://www.Structuring.com.au
    Email Me

    Lawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au

    Profile photo of helen74helen74
    Member
    @helen74
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 2

    What state are you in?
    There are many working the australian market now and i have had experience with a few….
    you would only use an advocate if you dont have the time to do the research yourself….

    Profile photo of homes247homes247
    Member
    @homes247
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 5

    If you’re in the Sydney region, you could consider giving Monique a call at http://a1propertyfinders.com.au/
    Regards
    Mick

    Profile photo of oneworldoneworld
    Member
    @oneworld
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 23

    Interviewed a few, none was satisfactory, and actually paid $1500 upfront fees to a couple,  The one I paid over $500 upfront was simply  trying to flip something she saw on the internet. Many don't really care they just want to make a sale, the buyer's agents in real life are very different from the buyer's agents in the foxtel show "Relocation Relocation" . I am not saying fair dinkum buyer's agents don't exist, but they are very hard to find.

    Profile photo of WynyardWynyard
    Member
    @wynyard
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 62

    I thought their fees were quite high, but the idea is they can get a better price for you – perhaps saving you double their fee? Guess it depends on the amount of interest in a property to achieve such good results.

    What else do they claim to do? What were you hoping to hear when you met with them?

    Profile photo of Chris WhiteChris White
    Participant
    @chris-white
    Join Date: 2006
    Post Count: 65

    Hi Guys Sunday mornings are always a great time to read and contribute to a few posts. To put my 2 cents worth in, an experienced buyer’s agent should: Have extensive knowledge – enabling them to advise their clients about the best areas and streets to buy in and at what price and also those to avoid at any cost. They also should know their way around buildings and structures and be able to guide you on any problems that may exist with a property, potentially saving you thousands. Have many industry contacts – enabling them to access good properties “off-market”. In my experience, properties that are dressed up and taken to auction fetch 10-15% more than if purchased off-market. Be able to negotiate a better price – most people are not experienced negotiators and pay 5% to 10% more for properties as a result of this. Real-estate agents treat buyers agents are experienced peers and are more straight talking and not as likely to try the high pressure sales as they do with the general public. Have the time to review dozens and hundreds of properties – anyone who buys property full-time can attest to the fact that you have to look at and review “hundreds” of properties to find the right one “at the right price”. The best way to see which buyer’s agent will deliver on all this is to interview them and also speak with their clients about their services. <moderator: delete advertising>.  If you already know it all, have many contacts and heaps of time then you probably don’t need a buyer’s agent. Cheers Chris

    Chris White | Pillar Property
    http://www.pillarproperty.com.au/
    Email Me | Phone Me

    The Property Investment Specialists

    Profile photo of Eureka Buyers AgentsEureka Buyers Agents
    Member
    @eureka-buyers-agents
    Join Date: 2009
    Post Count: 9

    Chris agree with your comments above. As buyers agents we spend on average, a concerntrated 200 hours plus per client on our full property buying service. Does the average person have that time available while raising kids, working full time etc? Its just not possible.

    Cheers,

    Nicole

    Profile photo of CatalystCatalyst
    Participant
    @catalyst
    Join Date: 2008
    Post Count: 1,404

    I have used a buyers agent twice. I have found good properties myself but needed a break from spending all weekend (and nights) looking on the internet, ringing agents and going to opens.

    Now everything they presented to me wasn't wonderful but I did get 2 under market places. Yes they were on the internet but I would have overlooked them due to poor marketing.

    One the BA had negotiated a 12% discount (on market value). Doesn't sound like much but it was more than 6 times their fee.

    I was not particularly interested in auctions (I could do those myself) BUT the BA did get one that was so badly advertised that no-one else turned up. The BA got a call telling him to be there as no-one else would be there and there wasn't. BARGAIN!!! There have been a few like that.

    This is how they do it. Networking and time on the floor. Who has that time? Me sometimes but not enough to purchase often. Plus while I'm renovating I don't have time to search for the next one. It's good to know someone is looking so if a bargain comes up I can grab it with very little effort on my behalf.

    So basically I do my own research and buy stuff myself but the BA looks too and rings me if something comes up. Best of both worlds.

    Profile photo of Alistair PerryAlistair Perry
    Participant
    @aperry
    Join Date: 2004
    Post Count: 891
    jdesil wrote:

    Cashflow Capital Pty Ltd cashflowcapital.com.au, what can people tell me about this company, does anyone have any actual experience of using this company as a buying agent, I would really like to hear about anyones experiences with them?

    Cheers

    Hi Jdesil,

    Cashflow Capital refer all their finance equiries to my company, so i have a lot of clients in common with them. Like any buyers agent, each of their people have leanings towards different types of properties and different areas. They have very strong relationships with agents in a number of high cashflow areas and the people buying in those areas through them definately buy better than individual investors trying to do it themselves. They also have relationships with a few developers in diferent areas and through them have off market opportunities as well. I suggest you contact Nigel who has already posted on this thread and have a chat with him, he can fill you in on their services better than I can.

    Regards
    Alistair

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