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While buyer’s agents offer representation and strategy, underqualified entrants raise new concerns. Stronger training, accreditation, and standards are essential to safeguard buyers and ensure professional, trusted advocacy, writes Jason Baron, of The Property Baron.
In a market where speed, knowledge, and strategy can mean the difference between winning or missing out on a property, the rise of buyer’s agents in Australia has become more than just a trend. It’s a shift in how people approach property purchasing.
Once a niche profession, the buyer’s agent is becoming a central role in how Australians buy property. And in competitive, fast-moving markets like parts of Queensland, their influence is growing by the day.
It is not about replacing the traditional real estate agent. It is about creating balance and ensuring that every buyer, no matter their background or experience, has the right representation.
Why buyer’s agents are on the rise
A buyer’s agent acts solely for the buyer, sourcing, evaluating, and negotiating property on their behalf. This differs from traditional real estate agents, who are legally and ethically bound to act in the seller’s best interest as it is the seller who employs them.
Over the past decade, several forces have pushed more buyers towards dedicated representation:
Market complexity: Property has become more competitive and nuanced, particularly in Queensland’s lifestyle and investment hotspots. Many buyers simply don’t have the time or expertise to keep up.
Demand for due diligence: Clients expect professional-grade research, analysis, and advice before making major purchasing decisions.
Interstate and time-poor buyers: With so many people relocating or investing from afar, outsourcing the process to a trusted local advocate is no longer a luxury.
The investment mindset: As property becomes a key wealth-building strategy for many Australians, buyers are looking for professionals who can offer insights and expertise, not just access.
The number of buyer’s agents in Australia has increased significantly in the past five years. with many operating in metropolitan centres and coastal lifestyle regions throughout Queensland.
From industry outsiders to trusted professionals
A generation ago, most buyers didn’t realise they could have a buyer’s agent acting for them. Today, buyer’s agents are being recognised in a similar way mortgage brokers and financial planners are, as specialists helping their clients to navigate increasingly complex decisions.
This evolution is not just about convenience. It’s about strategy, protection, and better outcomes.
A 2023 Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) survey showed that 40 per cent of buyers had considered using a buyer’s agent, up from just 10 per cent a decade ago. And with more clients seeking tailored guidance, the profession is earning its place as a trusted player in the broader real estate landscape.
A growing trend, and a growing concern
With increased visibility has come a surge of new operators entering the space, and not all are created equal. The rising demand for buyer advocacy has attracted a wave of single operators drawn in by promises of high earning potential, part-time work-from-home lifestyles, and quick success. Many undertake short online courses that offer minimal training but carry a high price tag, and some have either minimal or no prior experience in real estate or professional services.
Scrolling through listings on realestate.com.au or having completed a personal renovation may provide some exposure, but that alone does not qualify someone to provide sound strategic, advice to paying clients. As an industry, we must be cautious about this trend and continue to advocate for proper training, regulation, and consumer education to protect buyers from underqualified representation when it comes to purchasing an asset with such high value, such as a property.
The importance of accreditation
With this growth comes responsibility. The industry must continue to promote transparency, ethical practice, and professional standards.
That’s where associations like the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ), PIPA, and Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia play a critical role. These bodies help consumers identify buyer’s agents who are properly qualified, experienced, and operate with integrity.
I see firsthand the positive impact that structured training, industry standards, and continued professional development has on the quality of buyer’s agents in our industry.
The REIQ’s newly introduced buyer’s agent training pathway is a welcome initiative. It helps to formalise education, raise standards, and support ethical buyer advocacy in Queensland. It is a significant step forward for an evolving profession, and one that helps ensure consistency and trust across the industry.
Looking ahead
The future of buyer advocacy is strong. As more Australians realise the value of having someone in their corner, particularly when it involves high-stakes and emotionally charged property decisions, buyer’s agents will continue to fill a vital gap.
Whether it’s guiding a high-end luxury buyer, a first home buyer, or helping a seasoned investor identify and negotiate the right opportunities to support their long-term strategy, the role of the buyer’s agent is here to stay.
Jason Baron is the director of The Property Baron.
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