Using a Buyers Agent

Cashflow Capital Pty Ltd cashflowcapital.com.au, what can people tell me about this company, does anyone have any actual experience of using this company as a buying agent, I would really like to hear about anyones experiences with them?

Cheers

What state are you in?
There are many working the australian market now and i have had experience with a few….
you would only use an advocate if you dont have the time to do the research yourself….

Interviewed a few, none was satisfactory, and actually paid $1500 upfront fees to a couple,  The one I paid over $500 upfront was simply  trying to flip something she saw on the internet. Many don't really care they just want to make a sale, the buyer's agents in real life are very different from the buyer's agents in the foxtel show "Relocation Relocation" . I am not saying fair dinkum buyer's agents don't exist, but they are very hard to find.

Hi Guys Sunday mornings are always a great time to read and contribute to a few posts. To put my 2 cents worth in, an experienced buyer’s agent should: Have extensive knowledge – enabling them to advise their clients about the best areas and streets to buy in and at what price and also those to avoid at any cost. They also should know their way around buildings and structures and be able to guide you on any problems that may exist with a property, potentially saving you thousands. Have many industry contacts – enabling them to access good properties “off-market”. In my experience, properties that are dressed up and taken to auction fetch 10-15% more than if purchased off-market. Be able to negotiate a better price – most people are not experienced negotiators and pay 5% to 10% more for properties as a result of this. Real-estate agents treat buyers agents are experienced peers and are more straight talking and not as likely to try the high pressure sales as they do with the general public. Have the time to review dozens and hundreds of properties – anyone who buys property full-time can attest to the fact that you have to look at and review “hundreds” of properties to find the right one “at the right price”. The best way to see which buyer’s agent will deliver on all this is to interview them and also speak with their clients about their services. <moderator: delete advertising>.  If you already know it all, have many contacts and heaps of time then you probably don’t need a buyer’s agent. Cheers Chris

I have used a buyers agent twice. I have found good properties myself but needed a break from spending all weekend (and nights) looking on the internet, ringing agents and going to opens.

Now everything they presented to me wasn't wonderful but I did get 2 under market places. Yes they were on the internet but I would have overlooked them due to poor marketing.

One the BA had negotiated a 12% discount (on market value). Doesn't sound like much but it was more than 6 times their fee.

I was not particularly interested in auctions (I could do those myself) BUT the BA did get one that was so badly advertised that no-one else turned up. The BA got a call telling him to be there as no-one else would be there and there wasn't. BARGAIN!!! There have been a few like that.

This is how they do it. Networking and time on the floor. Who has that time? Me sometimes but not enough to purchase often. Plus while I'm renovating I don't have time to search for the next one. It's good to know someone is looking so if a bargain comes up I can grab it with very little effort on my behalf.

So basically I do my own research and buy stuff myself but the BA looks too and rings me if something comes up. Best of both worlds.