So... Do You Really Need a Buyer’s Agent?
In This Week’s How's The Market | Edition 127
So... Do You Really Need a Buyer’s Agent?
Eye-Opening Warehouse Conversion
Spring property market to flourish as rate cuts lift buyer confidence
So... Do You Really Need a Buyer’s Agent?
The property market is fierce, auctions packed, homes selling before they even hit the open market, and buyers left wondering how they keep missing out.
And at the centre of this shift? Buyer’s agents.
Once thought of as a luxury for the wealthy in Brighton or Bellevue Hill, buyer’s agents are now mainstream.
From first-home buyers with a $350,000 budget to families chasing blue-chip homes in Boroondara, more Australians are asking the question: Do I need a buyer’s agent to win in today’s market?
The Rise of the Buyer’s Agent
Just five years ago, only 1 in 10 buyers said they’d use a buyer’s agent. Today? That figure has quadrupled to 40%.
Why? Because buyers are realising that property isn’t just about listings, it’s about timing, tactics, and insider access.
Think of it like going to the gym: you don’t need a personal trainer to get fit, but having one can get you to your goal much faster.
Playing Against the Pros
If you’re house-hunting in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, chances are you’re bidding against a trained professional.
Imagine turning up to a tennis match without a coach, while your opponent has one guiding every move. Who’s more likely to win?
As buyer’s agents, we know which properties are about to hit the market weeks in advance. Often we slip through during photo shoots, review contracts before the first inspection, and make smart offers before most buyers even have time to organise a weekend viewing.
For everyday buyers, that often means one thing: logging back into realestate.com only to find the property already under offer.
The High Cost of Guesswork
Without local knowledge, mistakes are common and costly.
In Glen Iris, a buyer once overpaid by $600,000 at auction, simply by not realising they were buying on the cheaper side of the suburb.
In Ashburton, buyers unaware of school zones or street-level reputation can pay $300,000–$400,000 too much.
In Glen Waverley, being inside or outside the right school catchment can shift values by $400,000.
The reality is simple: you might not need a buyer’s agent… but without one, you risk missing out on the best properties or worse, making a half-million-dollar mistake.
Off-Market Gold
One of the biggest drawcards? Off-market deals.
Vendors often sell quietly for privacy or to avoid the $20,000 - $30,000 cost of marketing campaigns. For buyers, these sales can mean less competition, but they’re almost invisible unless you’ve got the right connections.
Some of the best purchases never make it online. Without professional networks, you might never even know they existed.
Speed Is Everything
The average buyer takes 9 months to purchase. With a buyer’s agent?
That can drop to 4 weeks.
That time compression matters. In a rising market, 9 months can mean a 5% jump in prices. On a $1.5 million home, that’s $75,000 gone - far more than most BA fees.
Stay ahead of the market - get the real auction results every week!
What The Agents Are Saying
Buyers are back in force, fueled by recent rate cuts and renewed confidence.
Open homes and auctions are seeing more competition, with pre-auction sales on the rise.
Across the capitals, low listings and strong demand are creating a seller’s market.
Experts predict spring will be busy, with keen buyers driving prices higher.
The Wow Factor!
27 Woodstock Street, Balaclava, Vic 3183
Eye-Opening Warehouse Conversion
Why it WOWs:
4-bed, 2-bath warehouse with industrial flair
Double-height brick walls, timber floors & skylights
Open-plan living, chef’s kitchen & alfresco terraces
Wine cellar, mezzanine storage & multiple living zones
Steps to Carlisle St cafés, Chapel St nightlife & top schools
Price guide :$3,000,000 - $3,300,000
In The Media
Spring property market to flourish as rate cuts lift buyer confidence
Australia’s property market is springing to life! Three interest rate cuts this year have reignited buyer confidence, setting the stage for a bustling spring selling season and fierce competition for homes across the country.
Sydney: Buyers are back in force, with open homes buzzing and auctions drawing 4–5 registered bidders each. Median house prices climbed 3.4% YoY to $1.564M, and units rose 3.2% to $860K.
Melbourne: Momentum is building as agents report more pre-auction sales and positive buyer sentiment. Median houses rose 2.2% to $983K, despite unit prices dipping slightly.
Brisbane: A perfect storm for sellers with low new listings (down 30%) and soaring enquiries (+60%) with units leading growth, up 13% YoY. The 2032 Olympics adds extra heat to the market.
Adelaide: While high-end properties face tougher competition, demand remains strong for affordable homes and land-rich lots. Median houses climbed 9.5% to $916K.
Perth: Coastal and well-presented homes remain hot, with median units up 11.4% to $584K and houses 7.3% to $926K. More listings expected, but competition stays fierce.
Hobart: Supply shortage drives multiple buyers per listing. Median houses rose 2.7% to $710K, units 5.1% to $581K, with spring set to be busy if rate cuts continue.
Canberra: Steady house price growth at 0.7% to $959K, but units under pressure. Buyers are holding off for potential rate cuts, with spring momentum expected after October.
Darwin: Affordable homes and rising rents attract investors, pushing median houses up 6.5% to $604K, units 7.4% to $410K. Supply is tight, keeping the market buoyant.
Across the nation, spring is shaping up as a season of urgency, opportunity, and competitive bidding buyers are back, and sellers are in the driver’s seat.
Final Thoughts
Do you need a buyer’s agent? No. Just like you don’t need a coach to play tennis, or a protein shake to hit your fitness goals.
But in today’s fast, competitive market where hesitation costs hundreds of thousands and local knowledge makes or breaks a deal more buyers are choosing to level the playing field.
Because in property, the price of guessing wrong is simply too high.
If you or someone you know would like assistance to buy this year, book in a call and we can discuss if we can help.
Thanks for reading this far!
We value feedback and if you have any suggestions on what you would like covered in the future please email me at tristan@tomii.com.au
Happy Buying!
Note: This is general advice and does not take into consideration your objectives, situations or needs. Please consider if this advice is suitable for you and your circumstances and speak to a professional before making any financial decisions.
