A buyer's agent works for the purchaser, not the vendor. What they do, how they're paid, and how to check independence.
A buyer's agent is a licensed real estate professional engaged by and acting for the purchaser, rather than the vendor.
In a standard transaction, the real estate agent is engaged by the vendor and owes their duties to the vendor. They must not mislead a buyer, but they are not acting in the buyer's interests. A buyer's agent reverses that.
Search on and off market, shortlist and assess properties, provide comparable sales analysis, negotiate or bid on your behalf, and coordinate due diligence.
Either a fixed fee, a percentage of the purchase price, or a retainer plus success fee. Percentage-based fees create an obvious tension — the agent's fee rises with the price you pay. Fixed-fee arrangements avoid this.
Ask directly: does the agent receive any payment, commission or referral fee from vendors, developers, or any party other than you? Some operators marketed as buyer's agents are effectively distributing stock for developers and are paid by them.
A buyer's agent paid by anyone other than you is not acting for you. Get the fee arrangement in writing, including any third-party payments.
Buyer's agents are licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and subject to the REA's rules and complaints process — a meaningful protection.
They are most valuable where you lack time, local knowledge or negotiating confidence — particularly for out-of-region purchases. They are less obviously worth the fee for an experienced investor buying in their own backyard.
"Off-market access" is a common claim and is worth testing. Ask how many of their last ten purchases were genuinely off-market.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026 · ---
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