Our approach
Working with us will look something like this but know that it’s not a one size fits all approach. We’ve travelled this path many times before and know all too well that no property purchase is ever the same.
Initial phone call
01
BEFORE WE BEGIN
We’ll talk about your current challenges, what you’re hoping to achieve, and whether we're a good fit.
Making it official
02
This is the last time that we’ll be working separately; everything from here on is a group effort. We’ll send across the paperwork to formalise our agreement and you’ll pay our retainer fee.
You're in? We're in!
03
Let's get to it. Once the official paperwork is done, we’ll schedule a strategy session with our founding partner, Tony Coughran (phone, Skype or live), so you get the expert advice, clarity and strategy you need before we start.
BUYERS AGENCY
A happy dance around your
lounge room is optional, but highly recommended at this point!
REECE KEIL DESIGN - TAWARRI HOUSE - BURLEIGH HEADS
When it's
all systems go
01
The search begins
With a clear vision and strategy we do all the searching, while you keep living your life.
02
First shortlist presented
We’ll send you a detailed report with recommendations on each property that makes it to this first cut.
03
First round of inspections
We’ll organize the inspections and accompany you or we’ll conduct video inspections on your behalf.
04
Second round of shortlists
From your selections we’ll zoom in further (advising you and providing you with the facts every step of the way).
When it's all systems go
05
Second round of inspections
You’ll make your top picks during the second private viewing.
06
Time to talk values
Thorough, independent valuations will be made of your favorites until you choose the winner.
07
Negotiations commence
Enjoy your Buyers Advantage as we negotiate on your behalf.
08
Smooth transition
We’re not ‘done’ until you’ve settled in and feel like a local.
How long does it take?
Wait!
FROM ENGAGEMENT TO CONTRACT SIGNING YOU CAN EXPECT THE PROCESS TO TAKE BETWEEN 4-6 WEEKS
Great question! Some clients will purchase within a week. Some can take up to 9 months - it all comes down to your unique brief.
If you’re looking for a rare breed of property and it’s going to be your forever home (for example - beach side in a tightly held location sub $2 million) there’s a good chance it’s going to take considerably longer to find and secure.
If you’re looking for a good performing investment property where only the numbers need to stack up (for example - a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house sub $500,000 in a capital growth suburb returning a minimum $500 a week) the timeframes will be considerably shorter.
In saying that though, we’ve valued properties and signed contracts within 24 hours of partnering with a client - we’re pretty darn good at what we do, so don’t be surprised if we nail your brief in the first shortlist of opportunities.
JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE CLIENTELE
Nothing makes us prouder than seeing how the value we provide makes a real difference in our clients lives.
Nothing makes us prouder than seeing how the value we provide makes a real in our
clients lives.
JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE CLIENTELE
difference
Ok. Ok.
Let's talk cost.
WE'RE FIERCELY INDEPENDENT WHICH CAN ONLY MEAN THAT WE CHARGE A FEE FOR SERVICE.
Unlike a Seller’s Agent, who is paid to get the best price for the seller (they’re not evil… just doing their job…), a Buyer’s Agent advocates for the needs of the buyer.
Knowing the local market, the real value of a property and the best possible location for you to invest, doesn’t happen after a few walk-throughs (or even a hundred) or even a few years of internet-based property research.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for and independent professional advice when you’re spending your hard earned cash can be the difference between just buying an investment and buying one that actually delivers the results.
For our full service - fees start at $12,000 and range upwards from there.
JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE CLIENTELE
How do the numbers stack up? And can you really afford NOT to work with a professional Buyers Agent?
Fast forward 2 months + this could be you
(and voice of reason when your heart is talking loudly and fear has you paralysed.)
Hey
I'm Tony Coughran
VALUER + MASTER NEGOTIATOR
Lifestyle locations like the Gold Coast have never been in higher demand.
In today's competitive market, it's about getting your foot in the door.
Lifestyle locations like the Gold Coast have never been in higher demand. In today's competitive market, it's about getting
foot in the door.
GET THE BUYERS ADVANTAGE
Q+A
We know how important it is to make an informed decision which is why we’ve pre-prepared this little Q+A for you
Why would I hire a Property Advisor when I can look for and buy property myself?
Why do people hire personal trainers, accountants, lawyers, chefs? Yes, you could do your own taxes, represent yourself, make your own meals and train for a marathon without any support, but our clients know time is their true wealth.
Our clients believe that hiring the right person for the job guarantees a successful outcome. So of course you could do it yourself, but we offer a simpler, saner way to get a dream property (while keeping your pockets lined).
In a word: no. We offer independent, highly specialised advice, and on top of that, we do the bulk of the searching, all the negotiating, and take care of the logistics at every step of the way. While other professional services can probably give you general guidance, we doubt they can give you the facts and insights on the Gold Coast property market to drive your decision-making.
Selling Agents are different to Buyers Agents, even though they work in the same industry. Selling agents are trained differently to buying agents and often don’t know the true value of a property, only predictions based on sales.
One thing to watch out for: many real estate agencies refer to Personal Assistants as ‘Buyers Agents’, but we strongly recommend you choose an independent Buyers Agent who is a Certified Property Valuer. If you’re going to get advice and assistance when purchasing property (which we recommend you do), make sure the source is appropriately qualified, experienced and unbiased.
Sure, you could wait for the bank to do a valuation and then possibly pull out on finance (assuming you made sure you signed a contract subject to finance in the first place). But you’d be putting yourself in a precarious situation. After wasting weeks of negotiating, on top of months of searching, you’d have to start all over again. Wouldn’t you rather know what a property is worth before you start negotiating? With this kind of information you’re negotiating from a (very) powerful position.
Valuation isn’t an exact science. Generally Bank Valuers speak in ranges, so a property could be worth $1.2million to $1.25million; that’s a $50,000 variance! The truth is: Bank Valuers aren’t paid very well these days so they don’t spend very long valuing the property. In fact, Bank Valuers are forced to value 8-10 properties a day to make ends meet – not a lot of time for thorough research before reaching a conclusion! If the contract price falls within the range of the valuation they’ll sign off – a 5% variance is considered acceptable. This means you could spend $50k more than what you possibly should have if you knew what the property was worth before you started negotiations. That’s much more than our fee costs and you just had to do all of the work.
Remember: Bank valuations protect the bank. They do not protect you when it comes to buying property.
We have no doubt you’re an excellent negotiator in your field of expertise. And while some negotiation skills are transferable across contexts; the real strength of having a well-established Buyers Agent negotiate on your behalf is the insider-information that’s virtually impossible to access outside of this industry.
While you're here, let's get straight about what we do
don't
We don’t pile you into some conference room in the suburbs and present some elaborate too good to be true investment strategy to you, then pass you off to our "trusted financial advisor" and then our in house mortgage broker. (These low life’s are called property spruikers and their only goal is turn your hard earn savings over into their own bank account)
We don’t accept kick backs, marketing fees or commissions from builders, developers or selling agents - we’re fiercely independent which is why we get paid directly by our clients.
We don’t give tax advice - if you’re buying an investment property in the hope of reducing your tax make sure you’ve had a lengthy discussion with your accountant about how it will benefit or affect your unique circumstances before you engage with us.
We don’t buy developer stock or units off the plan and we certainly don't buy in ‘upcoming’ estates in the middle of no where.
We don’t give you financial advice - we’re PROPERTY experts remember
While you're here, let's get straight about what we do
1,000+
18,245
$950
HAPPY CLIENTS
LIVING THE DREAM
properties
valued
IN PROPERTY
TRANSACTED
1 4
properties purchased off market
in
mil +
Bottom line: We don’t believe in doing anything unless it’s done properly
Securing your dream property starts with you, so we don't make assumptions; we simply ask the right questions.
WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU FACING?
No time? Can’t find the right property? Agent’s not calling back? Everything on Real Estate.com.au sold when you call up to find out more? Keep missing out when negotiating on that dream property you’ve found? Been searching for ever and losing heart?
WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?
Are you wanting to purchase a home, holiday pad, investment property or a commercial space, a house, a duplex, a unit, a townhouse, a retail or commercial space. Tell us where you are up to in your purchasing story and what you are hoping to achieve by using our services.
WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM HOME OR IDEAL INVESTMENT LOOK LIKE?
Are you looking for waterfront or beachfront? Must it have a pool? How many bedrooms and bathrooms will your family need? Is it fully renovated and ready to move into or are you looking to add your own touches to an original home?
WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
Where are the kids going to go to school or how far do you want to travel to work each day. What’s important for you to have close by to enjoy in your down time? If you’re an investor, what suburbs have you already considered?
BASED ON YOUR FINANCE
PRE-APPROVAL WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?
Also which lender will you be working with for this purchase?
DO YOU OWN PROPERTY ALREADY?
HAVE YOU PURCHASED IN QLD BEFORE?
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO OUR SITE?
Apart from google, [a friend or professional referring you,] what made you think of using a Buyers Agent and getting professional advice?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING?
WHAT ABOUT THE GOLD COAST APPEALS TO YOU?
SEND
To take the pain and guesswork out of buying property on the Gold Coast, let us work for you. Fill in your details below and if you have time tell us more about your property story. Fill in as much or as little as you like, hit send and we’ll be in contact before we send you a no-obligation, delightfully jargon-free quote and information pack.
Tell us your story
WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU FACING?
WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?
WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM HOME OR IDEAL INVESTMENT LOOK LIKE?
WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
BASED ON YOUR FINANCE
PRE-APPROVAL WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?
DO YOU OWN PROPERTY ALREADY?
HAVE YOU PURCHASED IN QLD BEFORE?
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO OUR SITE?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING?
WHAT ABOUT THE GOLD COAST APPEALS TO YOU?
SEND
To take the pain and guesswork out of buying property on the Gold Coast, let us work for you. Fill in your details below and if you have time tell us more about your property story. Fill in as much or as little as you like, hit send and we’ll be in contact before we send you a no-obligation, delightfully jargon-free quote and information pack.
Tell us your story
WE WILL REVIEW YOUR SITUATION AND BE IN TOUCH A-SAP
Until then, rest easy... Because help is on the way (keep an eye on your inbox). And if you need us in a hurry, pick up the phone and dial [07] 5577 4400.
Thanks for reaching out
We're all about good
advice + keeping it simple
We're all about good advice + keeping it
Partner with the most trusted
Gold Coast Buyers Agents
The Gold Coast's most trusted
property advisors
Together our team has 75+ years of combined expertise and experience - if what you seek is the most qualified market perspective on the Gold Coast, you're in the right place...
We're Tony
+ Eva Coughran
We've simplified the real estate process creating a smart, accessible and personal service that works whether you’re relocating, investing or just looking to make YOUR next move in property.
