As the Perth property market has evolved, so too have the ways homebuyers approach their purchases, with a shift in the demographics using professional representation.
“A few years ago, most of the clients engaging buyer’s agents in Western Australia were interstate investors or people relocating to Perth,” Realmark Urban Residential Buyers Advocate Angela McGrath said.
“Today, I’m seeing more owner-occupiers, families, downsizers and busy professionals choosing to engage a buyer’s agent.
“The industry is becoming more mainstream, with buyers recognising the value of having someone in their corner when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.”
Ms McGrath said the tumultuous market had been a contributing factor, making purchasers more apprehensive about managing the process on their own – however, market conditions alone did not tell the whole story.
“Even though Perth’s market has begun to moderate slightly, properties are still selling relatively quickly and buyers often need to act decisively,” she said.
“As awareness increases and more buyers experience the value a buyer’s agent can provide, I think the profession will continue to grow regardless of whether the market is rising, falling or stabilising.
“At the end of the day, buyers still want to buy well regardless of what the market is doing.”
Ms McGrath said the purchasers showing the most interest in professional representation were Perth-based house hunters.
“The fastest-growing segment I’m seeing is local homebuyers looking for support navigating an increasingly complex market,” she said.
“Owner-occupiers and family buyers are often balancing careers, children and other commitments, making it difficult to dedicate the time required to search, inspect, analyse and negotiate on properties.
“We’re also seeing more buyers who have missed out on multiple properties or had a poor experience trying to navigate the process themselves.”
Ms McGrath said buyers currently had more access to data than ever before, but this did not always guarantee easier decision-making – rather, it often created more uncertainty.
She said this was less to do with a lack of buyer confidence and more to do with realising how difficult it was to reach an informed conclusion.
“Buyers aren’t just trying to secure a property anymore – they’re trying to understand value, navigate different sales methods, assess risk and work out what information actually matters when making such a big financial decision,” Ms McGrath said.
“Today’s buyers understand that property choices carry significant financial consequences, and they’re looking to reduce risk wherever possible.
“Rather than simply finding a property, buyers are looking for guidance around the entire purchasing process – from market selection and due diligence through to negotiation and settlement.
“Many are capable of purchasing on their own but they recognise that having an experienced professional alongside them can help avoid mistakes, identify opportunities and negotiate more effectively.”
According to Ms McGrath, one of the reasons buyer’s agents retain their appeal is because real estate is fundamentally people-driven.
“Established buyer’s agents who have strong relationships with selling agents often have a better understanding of what’s coming to market, what a seller is trying to achieve and how to put forward an offer that gives their client the best chance of success,” she said.
“The buyer’s agents who will continue to succeed are those with genuine experience across multiple market cycles, strong local knowledge and a proven ability to help clients make sound decisions in any market environment.”