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First things first, I get it.
You’re probably thinking, “Why do I even need a Northern Beaches Buyer’s Agent? I’ve got this!”
I’ll start by saying that from experience, the Northern Beaches property market can be akin to a thorny conundrum — a prick of a thing, but solvable with time, patience, and the right know-how.
But the question is, do you really want the headache? And what if you get it wrong? Let’s unpack this a little…
For context, here’s a quick observation I’ve made: finding the right home on the Northern Beaches, at the right price and in a timely fashion, is harder than most people think.
And unfortunately, a Northern Beaches home search all too often unfolds something like this:
EHMAGAWD! Maybe you can relate?
The Northern Beaches real estate market is one of the most perpetually competitive markets in the country. And helping to fuel this is the fact that, quite simply, more folks want to move to the Northern Beaches than move out.
In other words, there are nearly always multiple people competing for the very few good quality homes that are on the market at any given time. And it’s this dynamic that can make buying your dream home a tricky and prolonged endeavor.
Don’t get me wrong, there are of course the occasional outliers who snag a property at the perfect price within weeks, but this simply isn’t the reality for many Northern Beaches home buyers. And I’m not exaggerating – I see it all the time.
So back to the question at hand: do I actually need a buyer’s agent?
Without stating the bleeding obvious, no you don’t – just like you don’t need a sales agent to sell your house. You can sell your home yourself without having to pay a sales agent, yet we happily (in most cases) pay them handsomely to do so.
Why? Because outsourcing the process to a seasoned professional saves you time, ensures guidance, effective negotiation with buyers, and overall, the best outcome in the shortest time frame.
Sounds logical. Which I guess is why we do it.
Sooooo on the flip side, why don’t we need help buying a home? Seriously?
Do we miraculously have more time up our sleeve when buying compared to selling? Nope.
Have we somehow gained an in-depth understanding of the market? Maybe, but doubtful.
How about accurately valuing a home and using it as the foundation for our negotiation strategy—can we do that?
And speaking of negotiating, what about negotiation skills and handling sales agent trickery? Did those skills magically appear out of thin air? Definitely not.
So if we’re being logical here, if we need help selling to get the best result, then it’s more than likely we could do with a hand buying to get the best result. Right?
And to me, generally speaking, it’s as simple as that.
But you could be wondering, if this is so clear-cut, then why isn’t everyone using a buyer's agent?
It’s a valid question, and honestly, I don’t have a definitive answer. That said, I believe a significant factor is closely tied to human behavior. Herd mentality — it’s the path we’ve always taken, and we’re content to follow the crowd.
HOWEVER! That seems to be changing as we speak as more and more people are turning to a BA to even the playing field.
I surveyed 20 sales agents across various price points on the Northern Beaches to inquire about the percentage of transactions involving a buyer’s agent. The responses ranged from 20% to 50%, depending on the price point and location. But regardless of the actual number, it’s clear to see that there is without doubt a notable buyer’s agent presence, which is only increasing.
It’s not too dissimilar to mortgage broking 20 years ago… now over 70% use a broker to get their finance because it just makes sense.
Now let me be clear, I’m not trying to preach that a buyer’s agent is for everyone. All I’m saying is, at the very least, it’s worth looking into to get an understanding of the value a buyer’s agent can provide, based on your specific situation.
What’s your time worth?
Do you need to buy sooner rather than later?
Do you know how to value a home properly? Are you at risk of overpaying?
Do you know how to negotiate? Are you at risk of overpaying?
Do you have a sales agent network that helps uncover more opportunities?
As world-renowned investor Warren Buffett said, “price is what you pay, value is what you get.”
If you consider the above and decide that the value you’ll receive in return for your investment isn’t worthwhile, then that’s totally okay – at least you looked at it objectively and made an informed decision.
And if you’re still on the fence or do decide that you need a buyer’s agent, I’m here to lend a hand.
Cheers,
AB
P.S. If you are planning on making your next property move, drop me a message and let's brainstorm a plan to make it happen, so you can save time and stress, and enjoy a smoother, more streamlined property purchasing experience.
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Updated monthly, Property Pulse is a comprehensive report on the Northern Beaches real estate market that consolidates and summarises essential property data from Australia’s leading data houses.
We'll also provide you with the latest Northern Beaches sold prices, broken down by suburb, delivered to your inbox weekly.
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In general, buyers who extract the most value from working with a buyer’s agent typically resonate with at least one of the following points...
Practice makes perfect. Sales agents hone their negotiation skills, as do buyer's agents. But what about home buyers? It's safe to say that most lack this practice and experience, putting them at a disadvantage. Consequently, there's a risk of overpaying as experienced sales agents can easily sense this and exploit it without your awareness.
Practice makes perfect. Sales agents hone their negotiation skills, as do buyer's agents. But what about home buyers? It's safe to say that most lack this practice and experience, putting them at a disadvantage. Consequently, there's a risk of overpaying as experienced sales agents can easily sense this and exploit it without your awareness.
It's logical that a buyer's agent, consistently engaging with sales agents and the market, has an edge over someone balancing work and family commitments. They can uncover hidden buying chances beyond the standard property platforms. Our findings reveal that around 20% of Northern Beaches properties are traded pre/off-market. In a competitive market, not tapping into these opportunities could mean forfeiting your dream home.
It's logical that a buyer's agent, consistently engaging with sales agents and the market, has an edge over someone balancing family, work, and social commitments. They can uncover hidden buying opportunities beyond the standard property platforms. Our findings reveal that around 20% of Northern Beaches properties are traded pre/off-market. In a competitive market, not tapping into these opportunities could mean a prolonged home search.
Speaking of overpaying, if you don't know how to objectively value a home, then you're at risk of overpaying. Relying on sales agent price guides and a couple of "comparable" sales is risky business and can lead to making uninformed financial decisions that have long-term consequences. To ensure you're making a sound investment, seeking professional guidance or using comprehensive valuation methods is essential.
If you don't know how to objectively value a home, then you're at risk of overpaying. Relying on sales agent price guides and a couple of "comparable" sales is risky business and can lead to making uninformed financial decisions that have long-term consequences. To ensure you're making a sound investment, using comprehensive sales data and having a sound valuation methodology is crucial.
The possibility of rising property prices, escalating interest rates, or conceivably a combination of both, raises concerns about their impact on your budget. Acting promptly to secure a suitable property is a strategic move that safeguards your financial interests. In circumstances demanding swift action—such as the imminent expiration of your pre-approval—a proficient buyer's agent with a strong network can expedite the purchasing process, ensuring a timely transaction.
The possibility of rising property prices, escalating interest rates, or conceivably a combination of both, raises concerns about their impact on your budget. Acting promptly to secure a suitable property is a strategic move that safeguards your financial interests. In circumstances demanding swift action—such as the imminent expiration of your pre-approval—a proficient buyer's agent with a strong network can expedite the purchasing process, ensuring a timely transaction.
For busy professionals juggling family commitments, dedicating time to market research, agent communication, and weekend house hunting is challenging. Studies show that, over 6 months, house hunters invest around 5 hours per week in their search. When you consider this in relation to your household income and multiply it by the average property purchase duration, the financial impact becomes significant.
For time-poor people juggling work, family commitments and a social life, dedicating time to market research, agent communication, and weekend house hunting is challenging. Studies show that, over 6 months, house hunters invest around 5 hours per week in their search. When you consider this in relation to your household income and multiply it by the average property search duration, the financial impact becomes significant.
In recent years, the Northern Beaches has seen an unprecedented surge in popularity, attracting more residents than ever before. With more people wanting to move here than leave here, it has created a highly competitive marketplace that favours buyers who adopt a proactive and strategic approach to house hunting. Having a detailed understanding of the various nuances that exist within the Northern Beaches market is crucial to a successful outcome.
Understanding the distinction between the two is important:
Local buyer’s agents possess in-depth knowledge of the area’s history, culture, and demographics. By focusing on a specific geographic region, they can analyse in detail the various market trends at play, to provide guidance to clients who lack the time and resources to learn the market on their own. They also leverage local sales agent relationships to get access to more properties and to negotiate in a more transparent fashion.
In contrast, generalists typically operate across multiple regions, which dilutes their knowledge base and weakens their sales agent relationships. This is significant because good relationships are crucial to a) being able to negotiate transparently and b) staying informed about pre-market and off-market buying opportunities.
Anthony’s experience at a prominent Sydney Buyer’s Agency, where he was awarded the 2022 Buyer’s Agent of the Year, inspired him to create his own boutique agency specialising in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
With a knack for levelling the playing field for homebuyers, Anthony sees himself as a consultative and immensely curious individual with exceptional people skills - handy attributes in a people based industry.
A true small business enthusiast with a love for innovation, Anthony is dedicated to using the latest and greatest technology to empower his mission to provide the best possible customer experience, making sure every client feels valued and supported.
Before becoming a leading Northern Beaches buyer’s agent, Anthony had a successful career in digital and technology sales, working for and collaborating with some of the world's most exciting tech brands, including Google, Apple, and Microsoft.
Discover how we can help you find your dream home, from Manly to Palm Beach, with expert guidance and best of breed service.
Effortless home search – we handle the process so you can get on with life.
We start by understanding your needs, then conduct a thorough search through agent networks and other channels. After presenting a curated shortlist, we evaluate each property, manage due diligence, and negotiate or represent you at auctions to secure the best deal. From start to settlement, we guide you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience.
Skilled Evaluation and Negotiation – Knowledge is power.
As Northern Beaches experts, we leverage local market data to make informed pricing decisions and negotiate confidently. Our relationships with sales agents ensure transparent, logic-driven negotiations. If you've found a property but want to avoid negotiating, we’ll verify your choice and handle the negotiation for you.
Big talk, short walk? Not on our watch. Fact is, we've built a robust and industry leading process that wows our clients, every time. Our "No Worries Warranty" isn't just a marketing catchphrase, it's a tangible commitment that ensures we'll live up to every promise and commitment we offer. It’s our way of showing you that you’re definitely in good hands.
So, if you're not happy within the first two weeks of engagement, we'll refund your engagement fee, no questions asked.
We rely on a skilled sales agent to sell our property and maximise its value. Additionally, we entrust a property manager to handle our investment properties, freeing us from the burden of tenant hunting and resolving the various issues that crop up. While it’s possible to purchase a property independently, it requires a substantial time investment to understand the market to make informed choices. It’s more efficient to outsource to a knowledgeable professional who can achieve superior results in less time.
Whether a buyer’s agent is worth the fees they charge depends on individual circumstances. Generally, a buyer’s agent will provide value to clients by leveraging their knowledge and expertise of the property market, negotiating the best price and terms possible, and helping them navigate the complex process of purchasing a property.
For buyers who are time-poor, unfamiliar with the local property market and/or lack property negotiation experience, a buyer’s agent can be an invaluable asset.
Yes, this is an option we can discuss. Please note that there is a premium attached to this service.
With the industry experiencing rapid growth, an increasing number of individuals are turning to buyer’s agents to even the playing field and make informed purchasing decisions. This includes first home buyers all the way through to luxury buyers. It’s predicted that in years to come, engaging the services of a buyer’s agent will be standard protocol.
Our extensive network of sales agents throughout the Northern Beaches gives us insider access to pre-market and off-market inventory that is not publicly advertised.We also maintain a comprehensive record of all off-market properties that come our way and, at times, utilise property data platforms to pinpoint specific properties to pursue through door-knocking and letterbox drops.
In general, our average turnaround time is around 7 weeks. However, we have had some briefs that have been fulfilled within a week, while others, particularly for prestige properties, may take up to 6 months to complete.
Yes. Up to $5M.
No.
Although we cannot guarantee a specific price outcome, we commit to negotiating the best possible price and terms based on the unique circumstances of each negotiation. As someone who may not be familiar with the market or experienced in negotiating property deals, it’s fair to say that we can secure a better deal for you than you would be able to on your own.
A sales agent represents the interests of the seller in a property transaction, while a buyer’s agent represents the interests of the buyer.
Sales agents are responsible for marketing and selling properties on behalf of the seller and their role involves managing property inspections, negotiating with buyers, and ensuring that the transaction process runs smoothly.
Buyer’s agents, on the other hand, work exclusively on behalf of the buyer.
They assist clients in finding suitable properties that meet their specific needs and preferences, negotiate on their behalf, and help them to navigate the purchasing process. They may also have access to off-market properties and other exclusive opportunities that are not publicly advertised.
Here are some steps you can take to find the right buyer’s agent:
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