Choosing the right buyer’s advocate isn’t just about outsourcing the property search — it’s about partnering with someone who can protect your interests, apply strategy, and ultimately secure the right property at the right price.
Australia’s property market is nuanced and selecting a buyer’s advocate with deep local knowledge, negotiation skills, and professional integrity is more important than ever.
✅ Checklist: What to Look for in a Buyer’s Advocate
🎯 Local Market Expertise
Do they specialise in the suburb or region you want to buy in?
A strong advocate will understand street-level pricing trends, zoning overlays, and off-market opportunities that generalist agents might miss.
🤝 Independent Representation
Are they 100% focused on buyers — and not selling property or working for developers?
True buyer’s advocates act only in your interest and never receive commissions from sellers.
📜 Membership with Recognised Industry Bodies
Are they accredited with professional organisations like REIV (Real Estate Institute of Victoria) or REBAA (Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia)?
Membership ensures adherence to professional standards, a code of conduct, and often ongoing training. Bonus points for advocates who serve on industry committees or advisory panels.
📊 Data-Driven Approach to Valuation
Do they use tools like CoreLogic, Landchecker or other analytics to assess fair value?
A strong advocate combines data with lived market insight to prevent overpaying.
🔍 Strong Due Diligence Processes
Will they coordinate building inspections, review contracts, and flag planning overlays or compliance risks?
Look for advocates who leave no stone unturned before recommending an offer.
🧠 Negotiation Skills & Auction Strategy
Can they bid on your behalf and negotiate directly with agents?
Great advocates know when to walk away, when to press, and how to structure terms that win — without overpaying.
📞 Communication & Transparency
Do they clearly explain their process, fees, and the limits of their role?
Look for clear expectations, proactive updates, and a client-first approach throughout.
🗝️ Access to Off-Market Opportunities
Can they show a track record of sourcing properties before they’re publicly listed?
Deep agent relationships often unlock homes that never hit realestate.com.au.
Why Local Expertise Matters More Than Ever
Knowing the suburb you’re buying in is one thing. Understanding the street-level variations in land value, zoning, and buyer activity is another.
“There is quite a difference sometimes from one side of the road to the other on values,” says Michael Sier from BuyerX Mornington, a Mornington Peninsula specialist in Victoria.
National averages and online valuations are not reliable enough in regions like the Mornington Peninsula, where prices can vary widely based on street orientation, land slope, or proximity to local features.
“You’ve got to get your values really spot on, because you don’t know what your competition is paying, and you could be spending $100,000 more than you need to.”
This level of insight comes only from consistent on-the-ground involvement.
“You need to be giving a certain amount of time every day, and that involves speaking to agents, going to open for inspections, seeing what buyers are around, understanding what things are selling for, understanding the land values in different pockets of where you're searching.”
A Specialist vs a Generalist
One distinction between advocate's is how narrow their focus is.
“We don't service greater Melbourne. We service a pocket, a territory. And that allows us to be focused on that area and do the due diligence on that area.”
Michael explains that each BuyerX advocate operates within a clearly defined geographic territory.
“We run businesses within the brand in our local area. We're intertwined in their community. We know them personally. We've lived there for 20, 30 years, or we do live there.”
This embedded, community-first model means that advocates are tapping into trusted networks, and are better placed to gain access to off-market properties and honest feedback from agents.
“The benefit to the advocate is that we work in a big group. The benefit to the client is they get more of a finely tuned service and really great advice.”
Working With the Right Advocate: Professionalism and Integrity
A good buyer’s advocate will not just say yes to everything a client wants. They will challenge unrealistic expectations and protect buyers from making emotionally charged or poorly considered decisions.
Michael offers an example.
“We opened with a conservative bid that passed into us, and we bought the property after auction without having to go any higher. Our clients got the result they wanted without having to compete.”
He adds that reading the auction room, understanding vendor motivation, and maintaining discipline are essential skills.
A good advocate also brings professional boundaries to the process. They don’t get emotionally involved in the buying process and are not influenced by commission incentives. Their job is to get you the best outcome, not the fastest one.
When You Know It’s the Right Fit
An advocate should be someone you trust implicitly with one of your largest financial decisions. According to Michael, a good fit often comes down to communication and shared expectations.
“There are people who don't want to buy a property unless they've seen 20. And there are people who want to buy a property and only want to see three. You have to understand which one you're dealing with.”
Patience, client education, and honest feedback are all part of a strong advocate relationship.
“Sometimes it takes time. We find the brief doesn’t always line up with the reality of the market, and we help shape that over time.”
Final Thoughts: The Advocate as Your Strategic Partner
In a competitive, fast-moving property market, having a buyer’s advocate who truly understands your target area — and the psychology behind the transaction — can mean the difference between a rushed compromise and a well-timed, smart purchase.
“We're not working in isolation. We know what's on the market. We know what's sold. And we know what didn't sell and why,” says Michael.
In 2025, buyers need more than just help scheduling inspections. They need a seasoned professional who knows how to win — without overspending.
