Questions to Ask a Buyers Agent Before You Sign an Agreement
A Practical Guide For Property Buyers
Choosing a Buyers Agent can be a significant decision.
Many buyers spend considerable time researching suburbs, properties and market conditions, yet very little time evaluating the person or business they may be engaging to assist them.
Asking the right questions before signing an agreement can help you better understand the service being offered, compare providers more effectively and make a more informed decision.
At iREC, we help property buyers understand Buyers Agent services, compare providers and assess whether a particular service aligns with their objectives.
Thinking About Hiring A Buyers Agent?
Before engaging a Buyers Agent, it can be worthwhile obtaining independent advice about fees, service inclusions, negotiation capability and how different providers compare.
Speak with iREC before you commit to a Buyers Agent.
Call, sms or email Rob direct...
Questions About Experience
Experience can influence how a Buyers Agent researches properties, assesses opportunities, communicates with clients and navigates market conditions.
Consider asking:
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How long have you worked in property?
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What type of buyers do you typically assist?
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Which markets do you specialise in?
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What types of properties do you commonly handle?
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Do you work with owner-occupiers, investors or both?
The answers can help you understand whether the service aligns with your circumstances.
Questions About Local Market Knowledge
Local knowledge can play an important role when assessing opportunities and evaluating value.
Consider asking:
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Which areas do you specialise in?
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How do you assess local market conditions?
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How do you determine whether a property represents value?
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How do you identify potential risks?
Understanding how a Buyers Agent researches and evaluates property can provide valuable insights into their approach.
Questions About Services Included
Not all Buyers Agent services are identical.
Before signing an agreement, ask:
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What services are included?
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Are inspections included?
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Is auction representation included?
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Is negotiation included?
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Are there any additional costs?
Understanding exactly what is included can help avoid misunderstandings later.
Questions About Negotiation Experience
Many buyers assume that if a Buyers Agent can find suitable properties, they will also be an effective negotiator.
However, property search and property negotiation are different skills.
Before engaging a Buyers Agent, consider asking:
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How much of your role involves negotiating purchases?
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What negotiation experience do you have?
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How do you approach negotiations with selling agents?
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Is negotiation included in your service?
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How do you measure successful negotiation outcomes?
The ability to identify suitable properties does not automatically mean the ability to negotiate the best possible price and terms.
Understanding a Buyers Agent's negotiation experience can help you make a more informed decision before signing an agreement.
Learn more about Property Negotiation Advice →
Questions About Communication
Good communication is often essential throughout the property buying process.
Consider asking:
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How often will updates be provided?
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Who will be my primary contact?
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How are opportunities communicated?
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What response times should I expect?
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How will inspections and reports be provided?
Clear communication expectations can help avoid frustration later.
Questions About Independence And Transparency
Many buyers want confidence that recommendations align with their objectives.
Consider asking:
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How do you select properties?
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How do you evaluate opportunities?
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How do you ensure recommendations align with client requirements?
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How do you manage potential conflicts of interest?
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How do you explain your recommendations?
Understanding how a Buyers Agent operates can help buyers make more informed decisions.
Learn more about Are Buyers Agents Independent?
Questions About Fees
Fees are often one of the first topics buyers investigate.
However, understanding value is usually more important than simply comparing costs.
Consider asking:
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How are your fees structured?
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When are fees payable?
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Are there any additional charges?
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What services are included?
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What happens if a purchase is not completed?
The objective is to understand exactly what you are paying for and how the service operates.
Questions About The Buying Process
Every Buyers Agent has their own process.
Before engaging a service, ask:
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How does your buying process work?
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What happens after I sign?
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How are properties shortlisted?
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How are recommendations presented?
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What happens once I decide to proceed?
A clear explanation can provide greater confidence and clarity.
Questions About Comparing Services
One of the most overlooked questions is simply:
"How does your service differ from other Buyers Agents?"
The answer can reveal important differences in:
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Experience
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Service inclusions
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Negotiation involvement
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Communication standards
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Market expertise
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Overall approach
Understanding these differences can help buyers compare providers more effectively.
See our guide on How To Compare Buyers Agents.
Questions Are Often More Important Than Marketing Claims
Many Buyers Agent websites contain similar claims.
However, asking detailed questions often provides far more insight than marketing material alone.
The quality of the answers, willingness to explain processes and level of transparency can often tell buyers far more than promotional content.
Before You Hire A Buyers Agent
Before signing an agreement, take the time to understand:
✓ What services are included
✓ How the provider operates
✓ Their negotiation capability
✓ Their communication standards
✓ Their fee structure
✓ How they compare with alternatives
The more informed your decision, the greater your confidence is likely to be throughout the buying process.
Speak With iREC Before You Commit
iREC helps property buyers understand Buyers Agent services, compare providers and make more informed decisions before engaging a Buyers Agent.
Whether you are comparing fees, evaluating negotiation capability or reviewing service inclusions, independent advice can help you better understand your options before signing an agreement.
Call, sms or email Rob direct...
Related Resources
Questions To Ask A Buyers Agent: The Bottom Line
Choosing a Buyers Agent should involve more than reviewing a website or comparing fees.
Asking the right questions can help buyers better understand experience, services, communication standards, negotiation capability and overall value.
The more information you gather before signing an agreement, the better positioned you will be to make an informed property decision.