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Hear the latest weekly insights into the property market via podcast by Rich Harvey, CEO and founder of Propertybuyer.

 
Fri 29 Nov '24 with Rich Harvey How to Make Better Financial Decisions
 
 
Fri 15 Nov '24 with Rich Harvey How Will the Future of the Real Estate Industry Evolve?
 
 
Fri 1 Nov '24 with Rich Harvey Sydney’s Lower North Shore - Perspectives and Insights
 
 
Fri 20 Sep '24 with Rich Harvey How to Invest or Buy Commercial Property
 
 
Fri 6 Sep '24 with Rich Harvey Breaking Gender Barriers, Creating Empathy & Other Empowering Strategies
 
 
Fri 23 Aug '24 with Rich Harvey Where to invest for around $500k?
 

 

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Why I love being a buyers’ agent - April 2020

April 8, 2020 / Written by Rich Harvey

 

By Rich Harvey, CEO & Founder, propertybuyer.com.au

Stuart and Sarah’s search for their first home had consumed almost eighteen months of their lives and by the time I met them, they’d been gazumped at nine auctions.

Can you imagine that? Going through all of the heartache of searching for a potential property, doing your due diligence, getting your ducks in a row, the emotion of the day… and then watching it all fall away in mere moments. Crushing.

They were at their wits’ end when they came to see me. They had a toddler, both worked busy jobs and could no longer devote huge amounts of time and energy to a seemingly fruitless search.

They had modest requirements - a first home that would be comfortable for them and their two-year-old to live in, had enough room to grow and was a reasonable commute to the city for work. And, of course, it had to be in their budget range.

In just eight weeks, they signed on the dotted line for a place that fit the bill – and more. Their tears of joy reminded me why I absolutely love what I do.

 

…So, what do I do?

I think many people generally understand the concept of a buyers' agent. They’re an agent for the buyer. But it’s the nitty gritty detail of my job that still mystifies some people.

As a buyers' agent, I connect people with properties. I work exclusively for the buyer and in their best interests, unlike a sales agent, whose job is to get the most money for their client.

I work to understand my buyer’s real needs and wants – be it a home to live in or an investment property – and then go out and find qualified opportunities. It’s not just picking a listing on realestate.com.au or Domain either. I find a large number of off-market properties that never make it to those websites. (In this current covid-19 environment, many sellers don’t want people tramping through their property). I work with a vast array of contacts and connections I’ve developed over 20 years in the industry (in fact we have a database of thousands of agents).

I manage every single element of the buying process from designing a buying strategy, the negotiation with a vendor or their sales agent, to get the best price possible. I take care of all the back and forth until we’re in a position to get ink on a contract.

I do all of the hard yards for my clients to make sure that the buying experience is stress-free, hassle-free and as painless as possible.

I’ll be honest with you, it’s hard work. Endless inspections, phone calls all hours of day and night, tough agents etc.

 

But I just love it!

Seeing happy families get into their home is a feeling like no other. That client satisfaction is expressed in a lot of different ways too – relief, sheer joy, excitement and sometimes just contentment.

Stuart and Sarah’s story isn’t unique. I’ve worked with countless clients who were in their exact position. I’ve also worked with older downsizers trading in the family home that they’ve lived in for decades for something a bit smaller. I’ve worked with couples with teenage kids who want to upgrade. I’ve work with prestige buyers seeking waterfront mansions and luxury homes. I’ve worked extensively with expats finding their pad for when they return home. I’ve worked with time poor executives, CEO’s and professionals to find their next home. I’ve even helped six couples on a reality TV show “Buying Blind” find their dream home site unseen!  You name the family type, I’ve helped them.

I love working with investors too.

It’s first-time investors – mums and dads with a bit of equity in their own home who want to crack into the property market to build for their future. They have long-term goals they want to achieve, and I help them find the right potential property to make it happen.

I also work with established and sophisticated investors with vast portfolios who know the ins and outs of real estate but don’t have that intimate local knowledge of suburbs. My team and I are on the ground, day in and day out, and so we know what makes an area tick, both now and into the future. We use detailed statistical analysis to screen locations that are primed for capital growth and we know how to find a good street and the best houses.

Whether it’s a first-time buyer, an upgrade or an empty nester; a rookie investor or a seasoned one, all of these people have one thing in common for me. They’re all people whose lives I can make a difference in.

 

The intangibles

While there seven key steps in the process of buying a home or investment property, there are a host of intangible factors that a buyers’ agent can bring that can make all the difference to being successful or unsuccessful. 

 

  1. Empathy – I enjoy understanding the context and ‘why’ my clients are buying, their goals and motivations and help them uncover their ‘unspoken’ needs.
  2. Tenacity – Without dedication and persistence in a property search you will fail. It requires turning up each day and pushing through even when the going is tough.
  3. Knowledge – A good buyers’ agent will have access to multiple sources of data to appraise property quickly AND accurately.
  4. Experience – A good buyers’ agent will be a local expert with local knowledge and strong relationships with agents and know all the tricks of the trade.
  5. Negotiation skill – This is part of the service I love performing and saving my clients packets of money. Knowing the right dialogue to have with agents, knowing how to pitch an offer, knowing when to bid fast or slow and knowing the timing of offers are all critical to a successful outcome.
  6. Trust – This is obvious and over-riding factor in any relationship and without building trust between client and buyers’ agent it will be an uphill battle.

 

I like to take one of life’s most grueling experiences, buying property, and do all of the heavy lifting. I can put clients in the absolute best home (or investment) possible, meeting their needs and wants, and within their budget.

What’s not to love about that?

 

If you’d like further information about HOW TO SELECT  A GOOD BUYERS’ AGENT?

Then click here to download our free report.   

 

 

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The Propertybuyer
Podcast

 
Fri 29 Nov '24
with Rich Harvey
How to Make Better Financial Decisions
 
 
Fri 15 Nov '24
with Rich Harvey
How Will the Future of the Real Estate Industry Evolve?
 
 
Fri 1 Nov '24
with Rich Harvey
Sydney’s Lower North Shore - Perspectives and Insights
 
 
Fri 20 Sep '24
with Rich Harvey
How to Invest or Buy Commercial Property
 
 
Fri 6 Sep '24
with Rich Harvey
Breaking Gender Barriers, Creating Empathy & Other Empowering Strategies
 
 
Fri 23 Aug '24
with Rich Harvey
Where to invest for around $500k?
 

 

Listen to many more
podcasts on our
Podcasts page.