By Luis Lequerica, Managing Director & Co-founder · Updated 21 Oct 2026
How to Choose a Buyers Agent in Sydney
How to choose a buyers agent: the checklist that matters, the questions to ask, the red flags to avoid, and why independence matters.
To choose a buyers agent, check that they are fully licensed, genuinely independent, and experienced in the exact area and price range you are buying in. Independence matters most: a good buyers agent represents you exclusively in the purchase and takes no commissions or kickbacks from sellers, developers or selling agents, so their advice is not compromised. Ask for recent results in your target suburbs, not just testimonials, and confirm how they source off-market properties. On fees, look for a clear, transparent structure and understand what the service includes. Confirm their licence with the relevant state authority, such as NSW Fair Trading in New South Wales. Finally, judge the fit: you will share your budget and plans with this person, so you need to trust them and communicate easily. The right buyers agent is licensed, independent, local, transparent on fees, and proven where you are buying.
Choosing the right buyers agent is what makes the fee worth it. The wrong one charges you and adds little; the right one adds value through expert advice, access and negotiation. This guide gives you the checklist that actually matters, the questions to ask, and the red flags that should make you walk away.
The checklist that matters
- Licensed. They hold the correct real estate licence or registration to operate in Australia.
- Independent. They represent you exclusively in the purchase and take no commission or kickback from sellers, developers or agents.
- Local and proven. They can show recent purchases in your suburbs and price range, not just testimonials.
- Transparent on fees. A clear structure, explained in writing before you commit.
- Real off-market access. They can explain exactly how they source homes before they are advertised.
- Good communication. You will share your budget and plans with them, so trust and clarity are essential.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you fully licensed, and can I confirm it?
- Do you accept any commission or referral fee from sellers, developers or agents?
- What have you bought recently in my target suburbs and price range?
- Is your fee fixed or a percentage, and exactly what does it cover?
- What happens if I do not end up buying?
Ask us the same questions. We are licensed, we represent you exclusively when buying, our recent results are published in full at case studies, and we put the fee and the scope in writing before you commit to anything.
If you want to see how we answer them in practice, our buyers agent service in Sydney sets out the process step by step, and what a buyers agent does explains the job itself.
What should I tell my buyers agent?
Red flags to walk away from
- Vague or hidden fees, or reluctance to put the fee in writing.
- Any kickback or commission from the selling side.
- No real, recent results in your area.
- Pressure to sign quickly.
The right buyers agent will welcome every one of these questions. Read next: are buyers agents worth it, and buyers agent vs selling agent.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a buyers agent?
Choose a buyers agent who is licensed, genuinely independent and proven in your target area and price range. Look for transparent fees, ask for recent results alongside testimonials, and choose someone you trust and communicate well with. They should represent you exclusively in the purchase, without commissions or kickbacks from the selling side.
What questions should I ask a buyers agent before hiring them?
Ask: Are you licensed? Do you take any commissions or referral fees from sellers, developers or agents? What have you bought recently in my suburbs and price range? How do you source off-market homes? What exactly does your fee cover, and is it fixed or a percentage? What happens if I do not buy?
What does it mean for a buyers agent to be independent?
When representing you as a buyer, we act exclusively in your interests and accept no commissions, kickbacks or referral fees from the seller, developer or selling agent involved in your purchase.
Should a buyers agent charge a fixed fee or a percentage?
Both are common. A fixed fee is agreed upfront, while a percentage fee is calculated from the purchase price. Neither is automatically better. What matters is that the fee and service scope are clearly explained in writing before you commit.
How much experience should a buyers agent have?
There is no fixed rule. Look for relevant experience and recent purchases in the suburbs and price range you are targeting. Deep local knowledge and proven results sometimes matter more than years in the industry alone.
How do I check a buyers agent is licensed?
Ask for their licence details and confirm them with the relevant state authority, such as NSW Fair Trading in New South Wales. A reputable agent will share these readily.
What are the red flags when choosing a buyers agent?
Watch for vague or hidden fees, reluctance to show recent results, any commission or kickback from sellers or developers connected to your purchase, pressure to decide quickly, and no real knowledge of your target suburbs. A buyers agent who cannot clearly explain their independence and their fee is a warning sign.
Is it worth having a buyers agent?
For many buyers in competitive markets like Sydney, yes, if the agent saves you more than they charge through off-market access and negotiation. Choosing the right one is what makes it worth it, which is why independence, local track record and transparent fees matter so much.
This is not theory
A selection of recent acquisitions. Every one sets out the client brief, the strategy behind our search and the property we secured.
Bondi · $2.65M
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Waverley · $3.5M
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Marrickville · $3.769M
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