buyers agent in melbourne

S

suffragette

hi everyone
i'm new to this forum and property investing :eek:
after much consideration, me and my partner have decided to use a buyers agent to acquire our first ip. we're thinking about areas which will benefit on the upcoming eastlink.
has anyone deal with a good buyers agent in melbourne recently?
i'm interested to hear all your experiences!
 
Hi,
I can highly recommend Metropole Properties.

You can contact them on 1300 20 30 30 or www.metropole.com.au you want to talk to either Jack Henderson or Bryce Holdaway.

They have recently purchased 2 properties for me (1 in Brunswick West the other one in Hawthorn Easty) and I am extremely happy with the result.
 
Hi

Whilst Metropole are good, and we have quite a few happy clients from using their buyers agency service, I can also recommend:

David McMillan
Domain Buyer Advocates
0418 323 723
www.domainbuyer.com.au
[email protected]

Both are worth talking to about your needs and wants and then follow your instincts from there.

Dale
 
Have dealt with Michael Ramsay at Michael Ramsay property. He has a high profile and is quoted in property magazines quite a bit.

They can be reached at 03 9826 6366

www.buyersagents.com.au

Worth calling a few and then deciding on the best value proposition they have to offer.

Good luck
Harris
 
Last edited:
We used David McMillan and Michelle Lee and found them to be honest and thorough. Excellent!. We had different criteria for different suburbs and property types. We met, discussed these, they then took us around lots of properties to discuss the pros and cons (with agents cringing in the background). We then narrowed the criteria and areas. It took quite a few months (from about August to October) to find the right place that met all of our criteria. Then the price came more into play. I've learned heaps about property from reading this forum and books/articles but the first hand field experience gained was invaluable. It also gave the confidence to chase down another property last week.

I believe that some Buyers agents focus in different areas/regions so you will need to ensure that whoever you pick is good with the EastLink suburbs.

Good luck
Slats
 
Slats said:
We used David McMillan and Michelle Lee and found them to be honest and thorough. Excellent!. We had different criteria for different suburbs and property types. We met, discussed these, they then took us around lots of properties to discuss the pros and cons (with agents cringing in the background). We then narrowed the criteria and areas. It took quite a few months (from about August to October) to find the right place that met all of our criteria. Then the price came more into play. I've learned heaps about property from reading this forum and books/articles but the first hand field experience gained was invaluable. It also gave the confidence to chase down another property last week.

I believe that some Buyers agents focus in different areas/regions so you will need to ensure that whoever you pick is good with the EastLink suburbs.

Good luck
Slats
Click to expand...

Hi Slats,

Just out of interest, would you be willing to let us know where you ended up purchasing? (Suburbs)

Regards Jason.
 
My word of advice is 'be prepared for the wait'.

I've noticed that high profile clients (i.e. those in the industry) seem to receive awesome deals in a short amount of time. Rolf (above) and my personal mortgage broker are two examples of this.

Myself and three other forumites I've been PMing have been waiting in excess of 6 months. This was for searches commissioned within the last year. This is with two of the largest buyer agents services. I should also note we do not have strict criteria.

Perhaps this is a freak occurrence or perhaps this is the norm, I am not sure. This is simply my personal experience only, and whilst buyers agents say 'this is not the case' none of the people I have spoken to suggested otherwise. Perhaps more people can post their experiences here?

My suggestion is to do you due diligence and ask around. Also work out what will happen if there is an extended wait before signing.
 
Hi

DavidMc said:
My word of advice is 'be prepared for the wait'.

I've noticed that high profile clients (i.e. those in the industry) seem to receive awesome deals in a short amount of time. Rolf (above) and my personal mortgage broker are two examples of this.

Myself and three other forumites I've been PMing have been waiting in excess of 6 months. This was for searches commissioned within the last year. This is with two of the largest buyer agents services. I should also note we do not have strict criteria.

Perhaps this is a freak occurrence or perhaps this is the norm, I am not sure. This is simply my personal experience only, and whilst buyers agents say 'this is not the case' none of the people I have spoken to suggested otherwise. Perhaps more people can post their experiences here?

My suggestion is to do you due diligence and ask around. Also work out what will happen if there is an extended wait before signing.
Click to expand...


Unfortunately I have had a similar experience and then decided to use another low profile Buyers agent whom I was reasonably happy with. The disadvantage (Or maybe an advanatage) was that they deal with only the bayside suburbs.

regards

Sunny
 
David,
do you know how long I have been waiting?

I don't think so.

Just for your info: I have commissioned Metropole in May 06.

I wish people would be more careful with assumptions and statements that can't be substantiated.

:mad::mad::mad:
 
hi all
thanks for all your advice and comments
i'd definitely look more into it

but i never thought the process would take that long, 2-3 months would be reasonable, but 6 months? just wondering with the people who've waited that long, do you have to pay more? or is it a one-off price?
 
I used Advantage property consulting in Elwood to buy a one bedroom in Murrumbeena about 2 years ago now. I am very pleased with the results. I bought for $150k and had it revalued in September last year for $200k, a really good result in the Melbourne market. The fee seemed high at the time, as it always does, but in hindsight they have progressed my portfolio tremendously. I used the equity to re-fi that property and bought a 2 bedder in Queensland for $120k.
 
Hi

:) Hi Guys

Just wanted to clarify about my earlier post. My intention with the post was to point that in my experience "With some major buyers agencies you have to wait a long period before anything comes up"

I have no idea about good deals being passed out to certain clients only or any partiality of that sort. The buyers agent that I used and others that I spoke to assured me that every client has different needs and if at all there are some with the same criteria, they would be treated with a "First come First served basis". I know a few on this site who have used the major buyers agencies and have been dealt with impartially except for the long wait (I do not know the reason for this) and I guess they did not mind doing this as they secured the appropriate property

The agency that I used took six months or so but in that period we tried for two other properties, which we did not get, and I had extremely narrow criteria.

Regards

Sunny
 
Last edited:
It's only natural that searches may take various times, depending on the specific type of property being sought and the search area. Employing a buyers agent to locate real estate is such an individualized task, and with each client seeking something different (in terms of location, price, features, position etc) it's impossible to guarantee a period of time in which a property can be found. Current stock availability, demand and supply, as well as the "fussiness" level of the buyer can all contribute to the amount of time involved in a search.

Our agency quotes a range of anywhere between 2-16 weeks, but this can vary enormously as we can't control stock levels, after all. We can actively seek out private sellers and pursue everything in an area (including upcoming listings that are about to be signed up) but sometimes it just takes longer to find that ideal home or IP for a client.

Forget the Melbourne market- come and look in Sydney instead! :D
 
Jason, 2 IPs We then used the BA and bought in Coburg, a 4 br bv freestanding home for 450K at auction.

Since then we have bought a 1 br in Richmond for 260k, not using a BA , settling shortly.

With the BA, the timing was interesting. We were actually shown a 2 br unit in Armadale before we had even signed a contract with them. The unit was being shown to 2 BAs and their clients before coming on the market. It was too quick for me and i couldn't be decisive enough. 6 months later, with further research and knowledge, i now realise the value of that unit's qualities re internal layout, number on block, location etc that i should have bought it on the spot for the price asked and trusted the advice of the BA. Anyway, we were happy to methodically sift through and check out a number of places to get what we believe to be the right one in Coburg.
Slats
 
Slats said:
Jason, 2 IPs We then used the BA and bought in Coburg, a 4 br bv freestanding home for 450K at auction.

Since then we have bought a 1 br in Richmond for 260k, not using a BA , settling shortly.

With the BA, the timing was interesting. We were actually shown a 2 br unit in Armadale before we had even signed a contract with them. The unit was being shown to 2 BAs and their clients before coming on the market. It was too quick for me and i couldn't be decisive enough. 6 months later, with further research and knowledge, i now realise the value of that unit's qualities re internal layout, number on block, location etc that i should have bought it on the spot for the price asked and trusted the advice of the BA. Anyway, we were happy to methodically sift through and check out a number of places to get what we believe to be the right one in Coburg.
Slats
Click to expand...

Thanks Slats,

Thats interesting information. We have often thought about engaging a BA, but in the end have purchased ourselves!!
Regards Jason.
 
Rolf Schaefer said:
David,
do you know how long I have been waiting?

I don't think so.

Just for your info: I have commissioned Metropole in May 06.

I wish people would be more careful with assumptions and statements that can't be substantiated.

:mad::mad::mad:
Click to expand...

I thought that you only commissioned them recently. Serves me right for not double checking my sources. Please accept my apologies and thank you for clearing this up. :eek:
 
suffragette said:
does anyone ever have a bad experience with a buyers agent?
just curious....
Click to expand...

Couldn't really say that I have had a 'bad experience' with a buyer's agent, but I have been to see a prominent agency in Melbourne a couple of times. A number of forumites will guess who this may be from the following:

Although I don't doubt their research skills, credability and extensive knowledge of the premium areas in Melbourne, I decided not to go with them for a number of reasons.

They suggested that I sell off my whole portfolio and start again. (Well, not exactly, but almost). Their approach is very bias toward inner city properies with high growth (very negatively geared). I got the impression when speaking with them that they were the only people in the world who knew how to select an appropriate investment property and build an appropriate portfolio. Furthermore they tend to have a "one style fits all" approach to building up an investment portfolio.

Needless to say I did not go with them and have since bought a property in the inner suburbs that I am happy with!!!!

They do not subscribe to the Jan Sommer's way of investing.

Regards Jason.
 
I have used Advantage Property in Ormond Rd, Elwood on 3 properties. He was recommended to me by a friend. His name is Frank Valentic, tele: 9531 0155.

Very good service, it may take about 6-8 weeks to find the right property.

They specialise in the bayside suburbs and also inner, but I'm sure they can help.

Be sure to clearly know the criteria you are looking for, negotiate on their commission (can make a big difference), and ultimately you make the decision on the purchase.
 
I am also looking at Melbourne and perhaps using a BA.

My understanding is that a BA could negotiate a better deal than the average purchaser, do you think this is realistic in current climate.

I am really just trying to get a feel for what is happening in Melb market.

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Buyers Agent - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
Replies
5
Views
4K
Jake Milne
Jake Milne
I
Should I use a Buyer's Agent?
2
Replies
28
Views
6K
firstford
F
B
Buyers Agent Gold Coast
Replies
3
Views
1K
Jamie M
Jamie M
D
Buyer's Agents
2
Replies
20
Views
7K
jigmeister
J
B
Looking for a buyers agent - Brisbane
Replies
13
Views
7K
Rolf Latham
R
Back
Top