JJJHM

Hi, before I put my life savings into a new business I thought I’d gauge some interest on here.

We arrived in Brisbane September 2005, I worked as a realestate agent and have built, bought and sold properties over the years. My real passion is in buying, my vision is in saving people precious time and money by working with them to find their first Australian home, hopefully relieving some of the stress, and being a advocate and confidant to their questions and concerns.

My business partner is a born and bred Brisbanite, who has built, bought, sold and rented over 15 properties in the past ten years, alongside running a successful family business.

My questions to the forum are:

Did you know that buyers agents exist?
Have you considered using a buyers agent in Brisbane?
What would you want from a buyers agent.

If you have used an agent
How did it work for you?
What would you like to have seen done differently?

In advance, thank you for your input into my research.

Beoz

Did you know that buyers agents exist? Yes
Have you considered using a buyers agent in Brisbane? Yes but not in Brisbane
What would you want from a buyers agent. Take the leg work out of it and be bloody good at negotiating a deal to the point that the deal on the final price covers your fee and more. Its all about the numbers

If you have used an agent, how did it work for you? Not used one
What would you like to have seen done differently? -

evets

Maybe you should cross post in the Canada forum, this seems to be quite common in Canada from what I can gather, to get some feedback from Canadians who would have more than likely used this service.

I moved to Canada from Melbourne a year ago, and was hooked up with a realtor to help me find a rental. He took me to loads of places, I would never have known about or considered. He makes his commission from the rental owner. It was kinda like going to a real estate office in the UK, looking at what they had on offer and they would arrange appointments for you.

The rental and property market very different in Oz, due to open days and then auctions.

I suspect the concept is not usual in Australia, as people would associate it with the high(er) end of the market. I am unsure from your post if you would be the person who attends the auction to do the bidding. This to me is pretty good value, since the way the property market is dominated by investors and sellers thinking there property is worth more than it is. And first time buyers have a strict budget whereas investors do not.

evets

This is what I would want as a first time buyer, reduction of costs. As hard enough now for FTB to get on the market when competing against investors, who just phone up the bank and say I need more money.

JJJHM

Thank you for your feedback.

Totally agree, but the market will not always have the flexibility to enable a reduction in price. I believe the role of the buyers agent is undertake significant due diligence and research in finding the right property for your specific needs. This would take into consideration the best location and of course at the right price, more importantly save you many hours of time and give piece of mind and reassurance that the decisions made are made on sound advice.

JJJHM

Totally, Along with expats, we are intending to specialise in FTB I believe they get a very raw deal at the moment and pay too much, often in haste under pressure.

JJJHM

Thank you for your input, I will look at the Canadian threads.

We would happily work for a client at auction either with clients present or over the phone, although unlike Sydney and Melbourne auctions are not as popular in Queensland.

Beoz

Then you are really after the time poor or out of towners.

In my experience, if you know the area you are looking in, then the next is learning to spot the right or wrong type of property from the internet. Learning to read layouts and getting a good understand of room size and land size saves a lot of wasted time.

But yes I think you have a business especially if your focus is on the time poor and out of towners.

Dorothy

I'm Canadian and have bought houses in both Canada and Australia. Honestly, after both building and buying here I would have to say I wouldn't bother with a buyer's agent. They can't really do much more (if anything) than a buyer who's done some research on their own.

My partner and I are planning to buy a property in Canada in the not too distant future and we feel confident that we are able to look at properties we're interested in without an agent. We're also quite confident that we can negotiate with the selling agent and read any contracts on our own.

So, no I would not use a buyer's agent.

JJJHM

That’s fantastic, sadly I am led to believe that there are quite a few prople who do not have your confidence and time. All the very best with your new home search.

JJJHM

Thank you for your honest responses.

Dorothy

Thank you. I'm someone who actually enjoys researching and doing the work. I'm a bit odd that way.

JJJHM

Me too... but I have witnessed so many friends, family and colleagues who have regrets, struggled and made bad choices, hence the business..

spouse of scouse

I'm the same Dorothy, love researching real estate. Which is just as well

OP, good luck with your business!

JJJHM

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