Hiring a buyer’s advocate or buyer’s agent can save you time, stress, and – most importantly – money when purchasing a property. But not all advocates offer the same expertise or service. Asking the right questions before you sign on ensures you choose someone who aligns with your goals and protects your interests.
Why it’s important to ask the right questions
A buyer’s advocate is your representative in a complex and competitive property market. Their advice can shape one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. By asking thoughtful, specific questions, you can:
- Gauge their experience and track record – not all are members of the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia or fully independent so your questions can help weed out the less accredited or agency biased.
- Understand their fee structure and how they’re paid.
- Identify whether their communication style and level of experience suits your needs.
Top questions to ask a Buyer’s Advocate
Here are key questions every Melbourne homebuyer should consider:
How many years of experience do you have?
Ask for recent purchases or case studies, especially in Bayside suburbs.
Are you licensed and insured in Victoria?
Buyers agents cannot operate in Melbourne if they are not licensed in Victoria or do not hold professional indemnity insurance.
Are you a member of REIV or similar bodies?
REIV vets its members, ensuring they meet strict standards and adhere to a code of conduct.
Do you specialise in certain property types or suburbs?
Find out if the buyer’s agent knows the property market inside out, and doesn’t have limited experience in certain areas of the market or limited to types of properties.
How do you source off-market listings?
How a buyer’s agent sources off-market listings shows how strong their network of industry contacts is and how proactive they are in property hunting for clients.
What’s your negotiation approach?
This will tell you whether they are skilled and strategic in their dealings to secure you the best price and protect your interests throughout the process.
How many clients do you take on at once?
A buyers agent with lots of clients can lead to reduced attention, poor communication and loss of priorities – the service you receive could be less personalised.
What’s included in your fee – and what’s extra?
When a buyer’s agent is transparent about their fee structure, it will help you manage your budget, compare services of different agents, and avoid unexpected fees.
What the answers should reveal
A buyer’s advocate’s answers to your enquiries should give you more than just surface details, and help you distinguish a great advocate from a poor fit. Their answers should reveal their market knowledge, negotiation style, and commitment to your goals. Clear, confident responses can show how well they understand local trends, how they approach securing off-market opportunities, and how they’ll keep your best interests front and centre throughout the search and purchase process. The buyers advocate’s responses should also highlight:
- Red flags to look out for: too many clients, lack of clear fee structure and transparency, poor communication, and lack of experience in the property types you’re looking for.
- Signs of transparency: clear fees with no hidden kickbacks or conflicts of interest.
- Clarifying service boundaries: full search versus partial search, assisting with buying only or selling as well, inclusion of decluttering and any services coordination to sell your home
Tips for comparing multiple advocates
- Ask for references and client reviews: past clients’ experiences often speak volumes and can help highlight one agent’s service levels over another.
- Compare fee structures: does the agent offer a fixed fee versus a percentage based cost and how will that impact your budget.
- Trust your gut: look beyond the fees and focus on how responsive they are in these initial conversations, how patient they are with your questions, and how clear they are about the process.
Why a local advocate makes a difference
Melbourne’s Bayside property market moves quickly, and local knowledge can make all the difference. A buyer’s advocate with deep ties to the area brings firsthand insight into neighbourhood trends, upcoming listings, and true market values – giving you a clear edge when it’s time to secure the right property. A local buyer’s advocate brings:
- A thorough understanding of Bayside micro-markets and the subtleties of each suburb’s real estate.
- A large network of existing agent networks for off-market opportunities you may not otherwise see.
- Easier communication and support throughout the process so you can rest assured your needs are their priority.
Choosing the right buyer’s advocate starts with asking smart questions. By clarifying a buyer’s advocate’s experience, transparency, and local expertise, you’ll find a professional who acts solely in your best interests. Bayside Real Estate Advocates prides itself on openness and client-first service – qualities every buyer should demand when making their next property move. Get in touch with us today to start the journey towards your next property move.
