Why you should use a local buyer's agent in Brisbane

Why you should use a local buyers agent in Brisbane

Tiff Collins-Director of Acquisitions at YouandMe Personalised Property Services

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Director of Acquisitions - Queensland

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In recent years, an increasing number of Australian home buyers and investors have been utilising buyer’s agents. While this service originated in Sydney and has since spread to major cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, there’s a crucial distinction that many buyers overlook: the importance of choosing a local buyer’s agent over a remote one.

The Rise of Remote Buyer’s Advocatess in Australia

Recently, we’ve noticed a trend of investors working with remote agents to purchase properties in other cities. Typically, they offer lower fees along with promises of comprehensive market data. Although these interstate agents may provide competitive pricing and access to property data, they often lack what is most important: local, on-the-ground experience.

We recommend conducting thorough due diligence

Example from one of our clients in Brisbane

Let’s look at a recent example that perfectly illustrates why local knowledge is irreplaceable.

A client came to us after a frustrating experience with a Sydney-based buying agent who was helping her purchase in Brisbane. The agent offered an attractive fixed fee of $5,000 for a successful purchase, but the reality proved far more complicated:

Hidden costs for auction attendance and additional services
Six weeks with no suitable properties presented
The client had already sold her home and was forced to stay with friends
No viable prospects due to the agent’s lack of local market knowledge
Wasted time, money, and significant emotional stress

Kangaroo Point Bridge in Brisbane-Queensland

The Value of Local Expertise

What sets our local Brisbane teams apart?

Deep Market Knowledge: Understanding neighbourhood dynamics, upcoming developments, and local market trends that aren’t apparent in data alone
Established Networks: Strong relationships with local real estate agents, developers, and other industry professionals
Real-Time Market Intelligence: Access to off-market opportunities and early listings through local connections
Practical Area Knowledge: Understanding of local infrastructure, schools, development plans, and community aspects that affect property value
Quick Response Capability: Ability to inspect properties promptly and make informed decisions quickly

The False Economy of Cheaper Interstate Services

While some interstate agents might offer lower fees, this often proves to be a false economy. The real cost comes in:

Missed opportunities
Extended search periods
Potential overpayment due to lack of local market knowledge
Additional stress and uncertainty
Possible temporary accommodation costs if timing isn’t properly managed

Making the Right Choice for your next property purchase

When selecting a buyer’s agent for your Brisbane forever home or investment property, you should consider a few key points:

How long have these agents operated in the local Brisbane real estate market?
Do they have a physical presence in the area?
Can they demonstrate recent successful purchases in your target locations?
What local relationships and networks can they leverage?
How well do they understand local council regulations and development plans?
Do they have extended negotiation skills to help you secure the best possible price?

The Bottom Line

In property investment, local knowledge isn’t just an advantage: it’s essential. While technology and data have made remote property research possible, they can’t replace the value of established local relationships and on-the-ground experience. Our Director of Acquisitions for Queensland, Tiff Collins, is dedicated to building strong relationships with our clients and finding the perfect property. These are services we can help you with:

Find your forever home in Brisbane
Invest in Brisbane property
Get into commercial property
Acquire rural properties
Understand the complicated jargon (settlement, mortgage broker, etc)
Access to off-market properties
Understand the full buying process

Heath Bassett and Tiff Collins standing at the front of the Brisbane Casino

Remember, property investment is probably one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Choosing the right property buying agent isn’t about finding the lowest fee, but it’s about finding the right expertise to secure the best possible outcome for your investment.

If you’re considering investing in Brisbane property, take the time to find a company that truly knows your target market. The small difference in cost could save you significantly in the long run, both financially and emotionally.

Our buyer’s agency You&Me Personalised Property Services specialises in the Brisbane property market, offering local expertise and established relationships built over years of active involvement in the local property scene.

We recently achieved a great success with one of our clients. You can read the details of this success story here:

https://youandmepps.com.au/blog/a-sunshine-coast-property-success-story/

Video Transcript

See transcript

Hi everyone, I'm Heath here with Tiff from You&Me Personalised Property Services, speaking to you with Brisbane's new casino as our backdrop. Today, we want to discuss buyer's agents, a service that's becoming increasingly common in Australia. It all started in Sydney - they're the original pioneers in this space.
The trend has since spread through Melbourne, Brisbane, and now Perth. While the concept of using a buyer's agent might seem self-explanatory, we want to emphasize the importance of using a local buyer's agent. We're seeing many people working with Sydney-based agents to purchase properties in Brisbane or Perth, and despite these agents having access to data and research, this approach often doesn't work effectively.
Let me share a recent example. I just took on a client who initially chose a Sydney-based buyer's agent because they offered services in Brisbane at a lower cost. They charged a fixed fee of $5,000 for a successful purchase, but there were hidden extras, including additional charges for auction attendance and other services.
After six weeks, the client terminated their relationship with the Sydney agent because they hadn't been shown any suitable properties. The client had already sold their home and is now living between friends' houses, all because they chose an agent with no physical presence in Brisbane, no market understanding, and no local contacts. This left them with no viable prospects or opportunities. While the client's intention was to save money, the decision ultimately cost them more - not just financially, but also in terms of stress, heartache, and wasted time.
What sets local agents apart is our boots on the ground approach. Tiff, for instance, has been here for years and knows every street, every development, and has strong relationships with local developers. This local knowledge is invaluable.
I understand everyone wants to save money, especially in today's tough market conditions, but as this example shows, choosing the cheaper option can end up being more expensive in the long run.
So, our advice is simple: work with someone local who knows the area, has established contacts, and has skin in the game. That's exactly why you should choose a local buyer's agent. If you're looking for someone who fits this description, Tiff is your expert.
For those interested in working with a true local expert, please get in contact with us at You&Me Personalised Property Services.
Until next time, happy investing!

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Tiff Collins

About the author

Director of Acquisitions - Queensland at You&Me Personalised Property Services

Experienced Brisbane Buyer's Agent with an extensive background as a practicing solicitor.