I’ll be upfront with you, when I’m buying property for myself, I use a buyers agent. Every single time.

And when my clients are out there hunting for their next home or investment property, I recommend they do the same.

You might be wondering why a mortgage broker would push buyers agents so hard. After all, isn’t that just adding another person (and another cost) to an already expensive process?

Here’s the thing: I’ve seen hundreds of property transactions over the years. I’ve watched clients buy with buyers agents, and I’ve watched clients go it alone. The difference in outcomes is stark, and it’s not even close.

Let me break down exactly why I’m such a big believer in using a buyers agent, and why I reckon it’s one of the smartest investments you can make when purchasing property.

THE COST OBJECTION: “BUT THEY’RE EXPENSIVE!”

Right, let’s tackle the elephant in the room first.

Yes, buyers agents charge a fee. Depending on the property price and the agent, you’re usually looking at anywhere from $8,000 to $25,000+ for their services. That’s not pocket change.

When you first hear that number, it can feel prohibitive. I get it. You’re already stretching to come up with a deposit, pay for building and pest inspections, conveyancing, and a hundred other costs. The last thing you want is another five-figure expense.

But here’s what I tell my clients: time has value, and a good buyers agent will save you far more than what you’ve outlaid for their service.

I’ve seen buyers agents negotiate purchase prices down by $50,000, $100,000, sometimes even more, particularly in Sydney’s current market where properties are often overpriced and vendors are testing the waters. That’s real money back in your pocket.

Even if they only save you $20,000 on the purchase price and you’ve paid them $15,000 in fees, you’re still $5,000 ahead. But the benefits don’t stop at the purchase price.

TIME IS MONEY (AND SANITY)

Let’s talk about what it actually takes to buy a property properly in 2026.

You need to:

• Research suburbs and street-level market data
• Monitor listings across multiple platforms daily
• Attend open homes (often 10-20+ properties)
• Conduct due diligence on each serious contender
• Review contracts and strata reports
• Coordinate building and pest inspections
• Negotiate with selling agents who have far more experience than you
• Navigate bidding wars and auction strategies
• Manage settlement timelines

If you’re working full-time, that’s basically a part-time job on top of your actual job.

I watch clients burn themselves out trying to do this solo. They’re spending every weekend at opens, every evening scrolling through listings, losing sleep over whether they should go $20k higher or walk away.

A good buyers agent does all of that heavy lifting for you. They know which suburbs are about to boom, which streets flood in heavy rain, which buildings have cladding issues, and which selling agents are notorious for running dummy bids.

You get your weekends back. You sleep better. You stay focused on your actual career instead of becoming an amateur property researcher.

THEY BUY FASTER AND YOU’RE LESS STRESSED

Here’s something I’ve noticed consistently: clients who work with the right buyers agent purchase faster.

Why? Because they’re not wasting time on properties that seem good on paper but have fundamental issues. They’re not emotionally attaching to homes that are $150k overpriced. They’re not getting gazumped because they didn’t understand the local auction dynamics.

A quality buyers agent has a clear brief from you, understands your budget and must-haves, and only brings you properties that genuinely tick the boxes. They’ve already ruled out the duds.

When the right property comes up, they move quickly and decisively. They know how to structure an offer that gets taken seriously. They understand when to walk away and when to push harder.

I’ve had clients tell me they looked at 40+ properties over six months before working with a buyers agent. With the agent? They found and secured their home within four weeks.

That’s the power of expertise and market knowledge.

THE EDUCATION FACTOR: YOU ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE BUYING

One of the biggest benefits I see when clients work with both myself and a good buyers agent is the level of empowerment through education.

You’re not just getting a property, you’re learning how the market works, what drives value, how to assess risk, and what to look for in future purchases.

The best buyers agents don’t just find you a home and hand over the keys. They walk you through every decision, explain why certain suburbs are better value, show you how to read comparable sales data, and teach you what red flags to watch for.

By the end of the process, my clients feel confident and informed. They understand their purchase. They know they’ve made a smart decision based on data, not emotion.

That confidence is priceless.

When you combine that with the finance education I provide around structuring your loan properly, understanding your borrowing capacity, and planning for future property moves, you’ve got a client who’s genuinely empowered to build wealth through property.

IT’S NOT JUST FOR BUYERS: SALES ADVISORY SERVICES

Here’s something a lot of people don’t realise: I also recommend sales advisory services for my clients who are selling property.

Think of it as a buyers agent in reverse, someone who works exclusively for you to ensure you get the best possible outcome when selling.

These advisors keep real estate agents honest. They help you choose the right agent, negotiate commission, review marketing proposals, and make sure you’re not being taken for a ride during the sales process.

Selling agents work for themselves first, you second. That’s just the reality of the industry. A sales advisor ensures your interests are protected and you’re not leaving money on the table because an agent wanted a quick sale.

I’ve seen clients save tens of thousands in unnecessary marketing costs and achieve higher sale prices by having an independent advisor in their corner during the sales process.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BUYERS AGENT?

Not all buyers agents are created equal, and I won’t pretend otherwise.

A good buyers agent has:

• Deep local market knowledge (not just general “Sydney” knowledge, street-level intel)
• Strong negotiation skills backed by data
• Access to off-market and pre-market listings
• A track record of actual results for clients
• Transparency around fees and processes
• The ability to educate and communicate clearly throughout the journey

The dodgy ones? They’ll charge you a fortune, show you properties you could’ve found yourself on Domain, and add no real value to the process.

Do your homework. Ask for references. Understand exactly what services they’re providing for their fee.

When you find the right one, you’ll know, because they’ll feel like an extension of your own team, not just another person with their hand out.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I genuinely practice what I preach here.

When I bought my last property, I used a buyers agent I’d worked with for years. I trust his judgment, I know his track record, and I value my own time enough to know I couldn’t replicate his level of market insight.

Did I pay him a fee? Absolutely. Did I save more than his fee on the purchase price and avoid properties that would’ve been money pits? Also absolutely.

More importantly, I didn’t lose three months of my life to the buying process. I stayed focused on serving my clients and running my business while he did what he does best.

That’s the point people miss when they fixate on the upfront cost. You’re not just paying for someone to find you a property, you’re paying for expertise, time savings, risk mitigation, and peace of mind.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you’re serious about buying property in Sydney (or anywhere in Australia, really), working with a quality buyers agent is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Yes, there’s an upfront cost. But when you factor in the time saved, the stress avoided, the negotiation power you gain, and the education you receive throughout the process: it’s an investment that pays for itself.

I’ve seen too many clients overpay for properties, miss out on better opportunities, or burn themselves out trying to go it alone. The ones who work with good buyers agents? They buy faster, pay less, and feel confident about their purchase.

Combine that with proper finance structuring from a mortgage broker who understands your long-term goals, and you’ve got a winning formula for property success.

If you’re thinking about buying and want to chat through whether a buyers agent makes sense for your situation, just reach out. I’m happy to point you in the right direction: no strings attached.

After all, my job is to make sure you get the best possible outcome, and sometimes that means bringing the right experts onto your team.

Joshua Beniston
Partner / Finance and Mortgage Specialist
NewStart Financial Solutions