Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Buyer’s Advocate

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Oct 27, 2025

Planning to use the services of a buyer’s advocate? A little preparation will go a long way, and this starts with asking the right questions. Throughout this article, we’ll highlight some of the most important areas to consider and questions that will set you up for success.

The Benefits of Working with a Buyer’s Advocate

Scrolling through endless listings feels productive, but most don’t truly fit your needs. Too big, too small, wrong street, wrong feel. Families waste months chasing “options” that aren’t actually real and tangible moving forward. Sound familiar? If so, you could find real value in partnering with an experienced buyer’s advocate.

At BuyerX, we strip away the noise and narrow the market to what’s actually viable, giving you clarity and confidence. Our advocates live and work within the communities they represent, from Melbourne’s inner suburbs to the Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, and the Sunshine Coast.

With our boots on the ground, we’re able to identify trends early and give clients access to the right property before it hits the broader market.

Important Questions to Ask

Without any further ado, these are the key questions to ask before hiring a buyer’s advocate.

1. How Well Do I Know the Local Market?

An advocate that truly understands the nuances of the local area is incredibly valuable. Suburbs vary greatly in terms of property values, school catchments, transport options, and future development plans. If you’re unfamiliar with a neighbourhood, you might overlook critical factors that affect long-term value or lifestyle.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Am I confident in my knowledge of local property trends and values?
> Do I know which suburbs align with my needs and budget?
> Can I assess whether a property is likely to appreciate over time?

Dedicated buyer’s advocates

Want to partner with an expert in your desired area? We have dedicated buyer’s advocates in Melbourne, Sydney, and various other corners of Australia. Contact us now for a free consultation!

2. Do I Have the Confidence and Skills to Negotiate?

Negotiation is a key part of buying property, and not everyone has the wherewithal to handle it on their own–and there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way at all! This could be due to the stress of an auction or a fast-paced private sale with multiple interested parties. If you aren’t confident or experienced, you risk overpaying or missing out entirely.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Am I comfortable negotiating under pressure, such as at auctions?
> Do I know how to set limits and stick to a budget when bidding?
> Can I effectively communicate with selling agents to achieve favourable terms?

A buyer’s advocate can remove much of this stress, bringing expertise to auctions and private negotiations to maximise outcomes.

3. How Much Time Can I Commit to the Search?

A property might look perfect on its online listing, but end up feeling completely different in real life, which is why it always needs to be looked at in person. Unfortunately, visiting them all involves a lot of research, travel, inspections, analysis, and in general, moving your schedule around. If you’re already balancing work, family, or other commitments, the time required can become overwhelming quite quickly.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Am I able to realistically dedicate every weekend to property viewings and research?
> Do I have the patience to monitor the market and chase suitable properties?
> Would my schedule allow me to act quickly when the right property becomes available?

Finding yourself strapped for time? Our advocates will conduct full searches on your behalf, including off-market properties, saving countless hours and ensuring that no opportunities are missed.

4. Do I Know What to Look for in a Property?

The ‘right’ property doesn’t just come down to style or the amount of bedrooms—it’s about long-term suitability, potential issues, and investment value. Many buyers focus on cosmetic features while overlooking structural, legal, or environmental factors.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Do I know what makes a property a sound purchase beyond appearances?
> Can I identify potential issues, such as building defects, zoning restrictions, or council permits?
> Do I understand the implications of strata or body corporate rules if buying an apartment?

An advocate can guide you through inspections, highlight risks, and help interpret technical reports, giving you clarity before committing.

Look for in a Property

Learn how we helped a client find a brand-new luxury home in a great street, just a hundred metres from the best beach on the Peninsula.

5. Could Off-Market Properties Be an Option for Me?

Some of the best properties never make it to public listings. Sellers may want privacy, speed, or discretion. If you’re relying solely on websites or public listings, you could miss prime opportunities.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Would I benefit from access to off-market or pre-market properties?
> Do I have the network or relationships to uncover these opportunities myself?
> How comfortable am I with trusting an advocate to identify hidden gems that aren’t publicly advertised?

BuyerX advocates tap into trusted agent networks to reveal off-market homes, giving clients options they wouldn’t otherwise see.

6. How Comfortable Am I With the Legal and Administrative Side?

Buying property involves contracts, inspections, and settlement deadlines. For first-time buyers or those unfamiliar with property law, mistakes can be costly.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Am I confident reviewing contracts and understanding legal obligations?
> Can I manage building inspections, zoning checks, and council approvals?
> Do I know how to coordinate with solicitors or conveyancers effectively?

A buyer’s advocate can assist in coordinating all these steps, ensuring nothing is missed, and reducing the risk of costly errors.

7. Am I Prepared for Auctions or Competitive Offers?

Auctions and highly competitive markets can be intimidating. Even if you know what you want, it’s easy to get caught up in the process and make decisions that don’t align with your strategy.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Do I know how to set a realistic maximum bid and stick to it?
> Can I remain calm and strategic in high-pressure situations?
> Am I confident in reading market signals during a fast-moving sale?

Experienced advocates provide auction strategy, bid timing advice, and market insight, helping clients stay disciplined and competitive. Check out our recent case study to see the benefits of buyer’s advocate representation firsthand!

8. Do I Want Ongoing Support After the Purchase?

Purchasing a property is a major milestone, but the process doesn’t always end when the settlement is finalised. Sometimes, there’s likely to be post-purchase tasks—like organising trades, reviewing property management options, or considering renovations—that require attention.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Will I need guidance beyond settlement?
> Do I want help coordinating trades, inspections, or other post-purchase tasks?
> How important is ongoing advice for long-term property management or investment?

Many clients find this ongoing support invaluable, particularly if they’re purchasing from elsewhere (like interstate or overseas) or when it’s their first time buying.

9. How Important Is Access to Expert Insight?

Finally, consider whether expert insight is important to you. Even buyers with experience can benefit from professional market knowledge, negotiation strategies, and strategic guidance.

Questions to ask yourself:

> Do I value having an advocate who can identify risks and opportunities I might miss?
> Would professional guidance help me make more confident, informed decisions?
> How much peace of mind is worth having a dedicated expert on my side?

Access to Expert Insight

Why Partnering with BuyerX Could be the Best Decision You Make

There’s nothing quite like the confidence you get from partnering with an industry expert. At BuyerX, we have dedicated professionals ready to help you save time and money, as well as reduce the stress that comes with buying property.

We have dedicated buyer’s advocates in Melbourne, Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Mornington Peninsula, and various other destinations across Australia. This also includes local experts who specialise in different suburbs, whether that be Camberwell, Balmain, or Carlton.

It’s time to put your best foot forward.