Let’s be real: buying property in today’s market is not for the faint-hearted. Listings move fast, competition is fierce, and the best opportunities? They’re often off-market, in Australia this around 20% of properties^, never even hitting your feed.
That’s where a buyer’s agent can seriously level the playing field. A good one brings insider access, negotiation expertise, and smart tech that tracks thousands of data points to find properties that actually match your brief.
Before you sign anything, it pays to ask the right questions, because it isn’t just about credentials, it’s about finding someone who gets you. These are the top five questions that will help you find the right buyer’s agent.
Question 1: “What’s your experience in my target area?”
Property is local. The right buyer’s agent should understand your suburb of interest, not just from recent sales data, but from time spent in that market.
They should be able to explain what’s influencing prices, how certain streets perform, and which areas might offer more value or less competition.
For example: Shelter, an investor from Victoria, initially targeted Queensland but found rising prices made her budget harder to stretch.
After talking through her brief, she shifted her focus to South Australia, where she eventually bought a three-bedroom home in Mount Gambier. With local knowledge and guidance, she secured the property for $30,000 under budget.
Some helpful questions to ask:
How long have you worked in this area?
Can you share recent purchases in or near this suburb?
What are the current trends or risks in this market?
Question 2: “How do you find properties before they hit the market?”
Not all homes are advertised publicly. In fact, around 20% of properties in Australia are sold off-market^ often quietly, through local agent networks. Accessing these opportunities comes down to relationships and timing.
Shubhagata and Papiya, investors in Gracemere, QLD, struggled to get ahead in a competitive market. Within 28 days of working with a buyer’s agent, they secured an off-market property $15,000 below market value, well before it was listed online.
Naresh, also investing, secured a pre-market opportunity in Werribee through a local agent connection. He purchased the property for $55,000 less than his budget.
If off-market access is a priority, it’s worth asking:
Do you have access to off-market or pre-market listings?
How do you typically hear about properties before the public does?
Can you share some recent examples?
You might also be interested in: How to find off-market properties in Australia?
Question 3: “Can you show me recent client success stories?”
A great way to understand how an agent works is by looking at real outcomes, not just testimonials, but the full story of how they supported different buyers.
Alejandra and Luis, first-time investors, spent five months researching options but felt uncertain about the risks.
Within a week of engaging a buyer’s agent, they secured an off-market property in Gracemere and purchased it $5,000 below market value.
Their concerns about tenant management and yield were addressed early, helping them move forward with confidence.
Naima, a student juggling study and inspections for eight months, felt stuck. After engaging help, she bought a property in Woodridge within 36 days, $11,250 under budget.
It meant less stress, more clarity, and time back to focus on her exams.
These aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions, they’re tailored journeys. Asking for examples helps you understand how an agent supports different types of buyers.
Questions worth asking:
Can you share case studies of buyers in a similar situation to mine?
What did you help them overcome?
What role did you play at each stage?
Question 4: “How transparent are your fees and processes?”
Fee structures can vary widely. Some agents charge a percentage of the purchase price (typically 1% to 3%), while others work on a fixed-fee model.
It’s also worth asking about what's included, when payment is due, and whether there are additional costs like inspection fees or suburb reports.
Bianca and Kurt, for example, had been flying in and out of the Cairns market for 18 months.
After engaging a buyer’s agent, they purchased their ideal home in just 23 days, saving $30,000. Clear fees and support helped them avoid further costs that had already been added.
You might ask:
Is your fee fixed or percentage-based?
Are there any extra charges I should be aware of?
What does your fee include, from start to finish?
You might also be interested in: What’s the difference between real estate agents and buyer’s agents
Question 5: “What’s your negotiation track record?”
The negotiation phase can be make-or-break, especially in tight markets or multi-offer scenarios. An experienced agent won’t just make an offer for you; they’ll guide you through strategy, timing, and terms.
Grant, an interstate investor, worked with a buyer’s agent to purchase a property in Trinity Park, QLD.
With support throughout due diligence and negotiation, he secured it $18,000 below his budget.
Aidan, searching in the Rockhampton region, was continually missing out. After three months of trying on his own, he bought a property in Gracemere within one month, $6,500 under his target price.
To better understand an agent’s experience:
Can you walk me through a recent negotiation?
How do you approach multiple-offer situations?
On average, how much have you saved buyers recently?
What to know about Aussie’s buyer’s agent network
If you’re considering working with a buyer’s agent, it helps to know what goes on behind the scenes.
All Aussie Buyer’s Agents meet strict standards, including:
Verified licensing and insurance
Deep experience in their local markets
Transparent, fixed-fee pricing
A commitment to supporting buyers, not pushing sales
They’re also backed by training, compliance checks, and access to exclusive data tools to help inform every decision you make. That’s the foundation behind each of the examples above.
Confidence starts with the right questions
Choosing a buyer’s agent isn’t something to rush. By asking these five questions, you’ll uncover what really matters: local expertise, transparency, access, track record, and fit.
Taking the time to ask upfront means fewer surprises later and a better buying experience overall.