A buyer’s agent could be the difference between you easily securing the home of your dreams and missing out on a property entirely.
Demand for their services in South Australia has soared in recent years, two prominent buyer’s agents say, due to increased exposure to them through reality television shows like The Block, and also growing time constraints affecting househunters’ ability to research and inspect properties. Katherine Skinner of National Property Buyers, who was recently named SA’s best buyer’s agent at the 2024 Real Estate Institute of SA Awards for Excellence, said demand for her services was ever-increasing.
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“As an owner-occupier, some people don’t have the time to do it alone, or they don’t have the capacity to be out and about each weekend or evenings, or they’re daunted by the task and dealing with sales agents in general,” she said.
“For first homebuyers who are really green, it’s really overwhelming for them and we can hold their hand through the process and find properties for them.
“A lot of our investor clients are from interstate, so they’re not here on the ground and able to inspect a property themselves and they don’t necessarily know a good area that’s going to perform well year on year or areas that we’d target or avoid, so we really help them mitigate as much risk as possible – for both owner-occupiers and investors – and make sure they make a sound choice and set them up for their next purchase down the track.”
Buyer’s agent Katherine Skinner. Pic by Fotobase.
Ms Skinner, pictured, said she had been in business for almost 10 years and said she had seen a big shift in recent years towards
“Shows like Luxe Listings and The Block have raised a lot of awareness around what we do and a lot of buyers are then taking it upon themselves to research what we do and discovering how we can help them.
“More and more owner-occupiers see the value in using a buyer’s agent, and that first homebuyer market – up to the $8000,000 range – they’re wanting something they can treat as a first home but looking at it from a long-term investment perspective as well so they can accumulate some wealth.”
Buyer’s agent, Hallmarq Property Group founder and former Adelaidean Rebecca Jane Hall, has recently opened an Adelaide office and said South Australia’s traditionally conservative buyers could benefit greatly from buyer’s agents.
“We do all their due diligence for them to make sure they are getting a good purchase for the right price, and so many people out there don’t understate the process and can get led down the garden the path or pressured into a fast purchase and we can save them from that,” she said.
“We can provide valuable insights they might not get from agents and can save them a lot of time and a lot of expense as well. I think it’s going to become a lot more popular soon as interest rates go down and buyer movement goes up – there are going to be a lot of buyers in the marketplace.
“If they’ve got someone to hold their hand and take all of the rubbishy aspects away from them, then that’s an enormous help.”
Hallmarq founder Rebecca Jane Hall. Supplied
Rebecca Jane Hall’s top tips for entering the market
Research the market: Understand the current market trends, including prices, growth areas, and demand.
Set a budget: Determine your budget, including purchase price and additional costs like stamp duty, legal fees, transfer fees.
Choose your suburb: Popular suburbs may offer better long-term value, while up-and-coming areas could provide growth potential.
Attend open inspections: Visit multiple properties to get a feel for what’s available. Take notes and photos.
Inspect thoroughly: Look beyond aesthetics. Check for structural issues, plumbing, electrical systems, and any signs of pest damage. Hire a professional building inspector.
House hunting can be a lot easier with the use of a buyer’s agent. Supplied.
Understand the buying process: Familiarise yourself with the steps involved in buying property, including the role of agents, contracts, and settlement. Timing is everything.
Negotiate wisely: Don’t be afraid to negotiate on price or terms.
Consider future resale value: Think about what might influence the property’s resale value, such as infrastructure developments and changing demographics.
Get pre-approval: Secure pre-approval for a mortgage to understand how much you can borrow. This strengthens your position when making an offer. Don’t start the process without your pre-approval as markets change rapidly and you will be taken more seriously if you are finance ready.
Engage professionals: Hire a good conveyancer or solicitor to guide you through the legalities and ensure all documentation is in order. They can help avoid potential pitfalls. Make sure they are available at all hours. This is crucial.
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