The rise of the buying agent

If sellers have agents, why can’t buyers?

Paying for someone to do the legwork for you, taking on greedy estate agents and fending off other buyers, was previously something only the rich could afford.

But lower fees and new commission structures have brought buying agents within reach of the whole market, giving many the chance to have their own personal Phil and Kirstie from Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location.

A buying agent’s role is to find suitable property based on their brief, ensuring finance is in place and that you’re ready to buy quickly and efficiently. The agent then conducts a search and shortlists properties. Chosen properties will be thoroughly researched to reveal any deficiencies that could affect the price. The buying agent will negotiate the sale, deal with all the administrative and legal aspects and ensure your move is a happy one.

But why pay for something you can do yourself? “Our competition is actually people doing it by themselves for free so fundamentally we have to add value,” says Darren Grant, founder of Agents4Buyers.