FAQ
Every question, answered in writing.
Most agencies make you book a call to find out what they charge. Here's the lot instead: fees, process, who does the work, and the granny flat questions. If something's still missing, ask me on the call or don't book one at all. Both are fine.
The money
Fees, and when they get paid.
How much does a buyer’s agent cost in Australia?
Almost nobody in this industry publishes a price, so the honest answer is: it depends who you ask, and you usually have to book a call to find out. Some agencies charge a percentage of the purchase price. Plenty of investor-focused ones charge a fixed fee that steps up with your budget. We charge $20,000 flat at every budget. Same fee at $450k as at $900k, published right here, no call required.
When do I pay Buyers First?
$5,500 retainer when you sign on, and the remaining $14,500 only when your purchase goes unconditional. Nothing in between, nothing after.
What if you never find me a property?
Then the $14,500 balance never gets billed. You only pay it once we’ve delivered. Most of the risk in the arrangement sits with us, on purpose.
What isn’t included in the fee?
The usual third party costs are yours, same as if you bought without us: conveyancing, building and pest, stamp duty, lender fees. You get honest estimates up front so nothing ambushes you at settlement.
The process
What actually happens.
What does a buyer’s agent actually do?
Everything on the buying side that a selling agent does for the vendor: strategy, suburb research, the search including off market stock, inspections, due diligence coordination, negotiation, and getting the purchase through to settlement and tenanted. You stay in charge of the decisions. We do the 20 hours a week of legwork.
How long does it take to buy?
4 weeks on average from signing on to a secured property. Some run longer, because we stop when you’re happy with the buy, not when a clock runs out.
Where does Buyers First buy?
Australia-wide. Every search starts with all 15,000 suburbs in the country screened against jobs, population, supply and incomes, then narrows to the top 5 for your situation, delivered as a written report with the reasoning attached.
Do I get a say in what gets bought?
Every step. You get the suburb shortlist with the data behind each pick and the ones we rejected. Nothing gets offered on until you’re happy with it.
Can I try the modelling myself before booking anything?
Yes. The portfolio tool we drive in every strategy session is Zapiio, and you can open a free account and run your own income, debts and properties through it. The tool gives you the projections. The session is where they turn into a plan. There’s a real worked example here.
Can I buy through my SMSF?
Plenty of clients do. Whether an SMSF is right for you is a question for your accountant or financial adviser, not us. Once the structure is set, the buying process runs the same inside it.
What are the 2026 negative gearing and CGT changes?
Parliament passed them on 25 June 2026. Buy an established property after 12 May 2026 and from 1 July 2027 rental losses stop offsetting your salary, and the 50% CGT discount is replaced with cost-base indexation at a 30% minimum rate. New builds keep both. Our free property growth calculator shows what that does to real numbers, side by side on one chart.
The agency
Who you're dealing with.
Who is behind Buyers First Agency?
Three people. Dan White, a tradie who spent over a decade building his own portfolio before charging anyone a cent, out front on the hunting and negotiating. Tyson Cardamone, who spent years on the selling side before crossing over, on the buying with him. Tom, a CPA and career property strategist who runs over 1,500 strategy sessions a year, on the modelling. More than 50 properties bought across them and their clients.
How many clients do you take at once?
5, maximum. Nothing gets rushed and nothing gets handed to a junior, because there isn’t one.
Why are you based in regional Victoria?
Because it’s home, and because where we live has nothing to do with where you should buy. The data doesn’t care about postcodes. Clients’ properties get bought wherever the numbers stack up, which is rarely walking distance from anyone’s office.
Is a buyer’s agent actually worth it?
Honestly, not for everyone. If you’ve got the time and appetite to learn the research side yourself, you can do this without us. The honest version of the answer, including the questions to grill any agent with (us included), is written up in Is a buyer’s agent worth it?
What’s the difference between a buyer’s agent and a buyer’s advocate?
Nothing. Same job, two names: licensed professionals who represent the buyer and only the buyer in a property purchase. "Buyer's advocate" is the label you hear more in Victoria, "buyer's agent" most other places. Either way, the thing to check isn’t the title, it’s who pays them. If any money comes from the selling side, they’re not working for you.
Granny flats
The backyard questions.
Do granny flats need a planning permit in Victoria?
Not on lots over 300 square metres, under Victoria’s small second dwelling rules. A building permit is still required, and it gets arranged for you. The full rules are in plain English here.
What does a granny flat cost and rent for?
Budget around $200k built for the Goulburn 50, a two bedroom 50 square metre build on a fixed price contract. Rents upwards of $450 a week in the right market, though the market decides that, not the brochure.
Will a granny flat work on my block?
Depends on the block and the market, and anyone who says yes before seeing either is selling you a box. The free feasibility analyser gives you a 30 second first pass on lot size, setbacks and coverage. No sign-up, no email.
Still got one?
Ask it on the call. Fifteen minutes, free, and if your question is "should I even be doing this yet", that's a genuinely good use of it.