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SHOULD I USE A BUYER'S AGENT?

Buyer's agents are acting for you and not the vendor so they offer impartial advice and circumvent the scenario where you might be swayed by emotion and make a wrong decision.

They act on the basis of analysis, whether it’s a home or a property investment. For commercial buyers, they can also source a property for people wishing to lease rather than buy.

Because they have an ear to the ground in the property industry they know where the opportunities lie and can manage the entire purchase including such things as:

arranging the mortgage.
ensuring the property has been properly inspected.
sourcing LIM reports.
show private sale properties which wouldn’t be available through real estate agents.

Another difference between going it alone and employing a buyer’s agent is that they know the market whereas if you are a returning Kiwi or a first home buyer, you may be at a disadvantage.

As part of your intentions to buy, you may be also be selling your New Zealand property and need to find buyers from abroad using an international real estate company.

Targeting international buyers can help expose your property to ex-pats and those who qualify under the OIO, however, not all real estate agencies or agents can make the impact needed using the technologies available or have the international connections or knowledge required.

Find out what’s involved when selling a property in New Zealand using an international real estate company.

Buyers' agents help you find the right house at the right price

Property buyers should remember that real estate agents always work for the vendor, but through a buyer's agent, a buyer can also access representation.

The property market can be confusing, overwhelming and highly competitive so you need to be on your toes to secure a property, especially these days.

Buyers' agents are paid for by the buyer to do such things as:

find properties that fit their needs.
arrange due diligence.
handle the price negotiation.
bid on behalf of the buyer at auction.

They can help you sift through available properties to find the right property at a price you can afford and help give you confidence that you are not paying too much.

They can also give you confidence to buy a house at auction and will help you when it comes to real estate situations such as ‘price by negotiation’ including whether your bid is even in the right price range.

Need a real estate agent to sell your house? Find the best real estate agents in your location.

Buyers' agents can help their clients save thousands of dollars

Like a good real estate agent can help the vendor achieve the best monetary outcome, buyers' agents can help their clients save potentially thousands of dollars.

The best buyers' agents will advise clients not to buy a property they consider imprudent or not financially viable. They will also have experience in the area you want to buy in, for instance lifestyle properties, and be aware of local requirements around district schemes, environment and future zoning opportunities.

While most buyers deal directly with real estate agents, their goal is to sell a property regardless of whether it is the right one for you. In contrast a buyer's agent works exclusively for you to find the most suitable property price wise that fulfills your brief.

Entering into a legal contract with a buyer's agent

At the beginning your agent should create a buyer’s brief to ensure there is no confusion around what you as the buyer is looking for.

As such, like real estate agents, they too must be licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and their work requires a legal agency agreement contract.

Buyers' agents can only carry out their work on terms agreed with the client. They cannot represent both the buyer and the seller and also cannot provide false or misleading information under the Act, and are expected to work in the best interests of the buyer client.

They can’t get payment from both the buyer and the seller.

As licensed real estate agents, buyers’ agents must make it clear they are acting on behalf of the buyer.

How much does a buyer's agent cost?

There is no standard rate or scale of charges for buyers’ agents so you need to be clear on what the fees are likely to be before signing a contract. New Zealand buyers' agents usually operate on either a fixed fee or a commission basis. Any fees should be clearly outlined in the contract.

Flat fees for buyers' agents range from a few thousand dollars up to $15,000 for most homes, although they may be higher for premium properties. However, the fee might be lower if you only want help with one aspect, for instance bidding at an auction.

Commissions range from 1% to 3% of the purchase price, but can also differ according to the level of service you require.

Find out more about buyers' agents

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Page updated March 30, 2023 by Trish Willis | Member of Property Institute of NZ (IPAC)