I work rotating shifts. When do we actually talk?

Evenings, mostly. The booking calendar runs later slots specifically so you're not using a break to have this conversation. Pick whatever suits - if nothing fits your roster, message me and we'll find a time that does.

$15,000 plus GST, in two parts: a $4,000 + GST retainer to begin the search, and an $11,000 + GST success fee payable when your purchase is secured. It's a fixed fee, not a percentage of the purchase price - so there is no incentive for me to push you into a more expensive property. You know the full cost before we start.

Do I need finance approved before we start?

Not approved, but you do need a clear picture - and for healthcare income that conversation is worth having properly. Before the strategy call, speak to a broker who understands salary packaging, penalty rates and shift allowances. If you don't have one, I'll introduce you at no cost and no obligation. This single step is the difference between a search that ends in a settlement and one that stalls after the contract.

Do I have to attend inspections?

No. I inspect on your behalf and send video walkthroughs with a written assessment, so you can make the call from home after a shift rather than spending a rostered day off driving to opens. If you want to see a property before contract, we'll arrange it around your roster.

How long until I've bought something?

Most engagements run from strategy call to signed contract in weeks rather than months, but it depends on your brief and on stock. A tightly defined search in an active market moves fast; a narrow brief in a thin market takes longer. I'd rather wait for the right asset than fill a deadline with the wrong one.

I'm on a public health salary. Is $15,000 worth it?

That's the right question to ask. Overpaying by 3% on a $700,000 purchase is $21,000 - more than the fee, on one transaction. Buying in the wrong location costs considerably more over a decade. If after the strategy call you'd rather run the search yourself, the buying brief is yours to keep and I'll tell you honestly whether you need me.

Am I dealing with you, or with staff?

Me. Haus Haven is deliberately small - I take on a limited number of clients at a time so every search, inspection and negotiation is run by the person who built the framework. When that capacity is full, I say so rather than stretching thin.

Why choose a fixed fee buyers agent?

On a percentage fee, the agent earns more when you pay more. A fixed fee removes that conflict, so there's no reason to push your budget up.

How much does a buyers agent cost in Australia?

3 Oct

Written By Luke Murphy

Short answer: Buyers agents in Australia usually charge either a percentage of the purchase price, often around 2% to 3%, or a fixed fee. I charge a fixed $15,000 plus GST, paid in two parts.

Percentage vs fixed fee

On a percentage fee, the agent earns more when you pay more. That's a conflict of interest when their job is to get you the best price. A fixed fee removes it. I get paid the same whether you buy at $550,000 or $600,000, so I've got no reason to push your budget up.

$500,000 purchase: 2.5% fee is $12,500, fixed fee is $15,000
$650,000 purchase: 2.5% fee is $16,250, fixed fee is $15,000
$800,000 purchase: 2.5% fee is $20,000, fixed fee is $15,000
Fees shown before GST.

What to check before you sign

Is the fee fixed or a percentage?
Does the agent take any payment from sellers or developers?
Who inspects the property in person?
What happens if you don't end up buying?

Is it worth the fee?

A good buyers agent should save you more than they cost, through negotiation, avoiding a bad property, and saving you months of weekends. My first property, bought without help, cost me $25,000 when I sold it. That's more than the fee.

Luke Murphy is a buyers agent for healthcare workers, working Australia wide. General information only, not financial advice.

Luke Murphy

How much does a buyers agent cost in Australia?

Percentage vs fixed fee

What to check before you sign

Is it worth the fee?

How can a sonographer start investing in property in Australia?

Is a buyers agent worth it for healthcare workers?