Looking to build wealth through property but don't have time to trawl Domain every night? An investment property buyer's agent does the legwork finding, assessing, and negotiating properties on your behalf.
This guide covers how investor-focused buyer's agents work, what they cost, and how to decide if one's right for you.
Who this guide is for
Not every investor needs a buyer's agent. But if any of these sound familiar, you're probably in the right place:
You want yield-focused properties
You're chasing rental returns — positive cash flow, strong tenant demand, minimal vacancy. You need someone who can run the numbers and find properties that actually stack up.
You're investing through your SMSF
Buying property in super comes with strict rules around borrowing, ownership, and property type. One wrong move can trigger penalties.
You're time-poor but capital-ready
You've got the deposit and the pre-approval, but not the 20+ hours a week it takes to search, inspect, and negotiate properly.
What does an investment property buyer's agent do?
A buyer's agent works exclusively for you—not the seller. For investors, that means:
Market research and suburb selection
Identifying areas with strong rental yields, low vacancy rates, and solid growth fundamentals. Not just "hot tips" — actual data.
Property sourcing
Finding suitable properties, including off-market opportunities that never hit the portals. For investors, off-market access matters — less competition, better negotiating position.
Due diligence
Reviewing strata reports, rental appraisals, pest and building inspections, body corporate minutes. The boring stuff that protects your investment.
Negotiation and purchase
Making offers, negotiating price, and managing the transaction through to settlement. They've done this hundreds of times — you've done it once or twice.
Investment buyer's agent vs general buyer's agent
Not all buyer's agents specialise in investment. Here's what to look for:
If you're buying to live in, a general buyer's agent is fine. If you're buying to generate returns, you want someone who thinks like an investor.
Investor pathways: choose your focus
Yield-focused investing
You want properties that pay for themselves (or close to it). Positive cash flow, strong rental demand, regional or outer metro locations.
Relevant resources:
Growth-focused investing
You're playing the long game aiming for capital appreciation over 10-20 years. Often targeting Inner ring suburbs, infrastructure corridors, gentrifying areas.
Relevant resources:
SMSF investing
Using your super to buy property. Comes with strict rules but potentially significant tax advantages.
Relevant resources:
Why investors use Peach
The problem with DIY investing
Most investors we talk to have been searching for 6-12 months. They've inspected dozens of properties, missed out on a few good ones, and are starting to wonder if the numbers ever actually work.
The reality: good investment properties get snapped up quickly — often before they hit the market. And if you're competing against buyers with more time, more experience, or an agent in their corner, you're at a disadvantage.
What Peach does differently
We're investor-focused. That means:
- Data-first approach: every property gets a rental yield analysis, vacancy assessment, and comparable sales review
- Methodical national market coverage: it's not just about finding the right property, it's about finding the right pocket of the right suburb in the right state.
- Fixed fee: $13,000+GST for investors, not a percentage of purchase price
- Speed: Our median time to exchange is 30 days
Quick numbers
- 1,075+ clients since 2023
- 30-day median purchase time
- National coverage (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide)
- $500 + GST refundable retainer to get started
How it works
- Brief - We start with a detailed conversation about your investment goals, budget, and criteria. Yield target? Location preferences? SMSF or personal name? We nail down the specifics.
- Search - We begin by identifying the right suburb and state which meets your goals. Once we're aligned, we move on to identify suitable properties — on and off market — and present you with a shortlist. Each property comes with a full analysis: rental estimate, yield calculation, comparable sales, and any red flags.
- Purchase - Once you've chosen a property, we handle the negotiation and transaction management through to settlement. You stay informed without getting bogged down in the detail.
Investment buyer's agent fees
Buyer's agent fees vary widely. Some charge a percentage of the purchase price (typically 1.5-3%), which means you pay more for more expensive properties—even if the work is the same.
At Peach, we charge a fixed fee:
- Owner-occupier: $12,000+GST
- Investor: $13,000+GST
- Retainer: $500 (refundable if we don't help you purchase property)
The investor fee is slightly higher because investment purchases require additional analysis — rental appraisals, yield modelling, and (for SMSF) compliance checks.
Are buyer's agent fees tax deductible?
For investment properties, buyer's agent fees may be added to your cost base for capital gains tax purposes. This means you could reduce your CGT when you eventually sell. Talk to your accountant — we're not tax advisers.