Yes, the better operators will have trusted professional networks of reputable professionals they can introduce you to. Reliable and qualified building and pest inspectors across Tasmania and local property conveyancers and solicitors. Often introductions to these professionals may be provide priority service and priority and better rates given the tenure of the professional relationship.

Yes, most buyers agent can simply attend an open inspection on your behalf if you are unavailable, don’t live locally, or just want someone independent to cast a critical and experienced eye over a property for you. They will provide photographic and video reporting, and an assessment including important insights, findings, relative data and a current market appraisal. They can be further engaged to facilitate additional research and more thorough due diligence and represent you through the negotiation phase too should you wish.

Here are some questions you could ask prospective agents:

• How many years of experience do you have and what are your qualifications?
• Can you demonstrate excellent local knowledge of my search areas?
• Can you give me some examples and context around some recent purchases in my search areas?
• If you’re looking for a project, do you have renovation/development and feasibility work experience?
• If looking for an investment, what recommendations would you make on locations, target investment yields, opportunity to manufacture equity, supporting infrastructure, expected growth rates?
• How many properties have you purchased in your career and in my target location?
• Are my expectations realistic? Are you confident you can secure me a home matching my brief within my budget? How long do you expect this may take? (Beware of over-promising)
• What’s your search and buying process?
• How do you access unadvertised properties? What percentage of homes do you purchase or off or pre market?
• Will you put in writing that you receive no other commission/income as a result of the properties you recommend?
• Can you provide me with some recent references, reviews or past clients to speak with?
  
  

In addition to doing your background checks and quantifying a buyer’s agents qualifications and results, it’s important you have a good sense of connection with your agent, that you trust in them, and feel confident that they truly understand your requirements and situation. Ultimately this a relationship, so go with who feels like the right fit!

Buying property in Tasmania, particularly as a non-resident can be particularly challenging and risky. Unlike other Australian states, there isn’t much in the way of mandatory disclosures, pricing or regulatory protections. The real estate market operates on a buyer beware basis, where you buy ‘as is, where is’ and the onus is on purchasers to do conduct their own in-depth due diligence. It’s very important to be confident you are receiving dependable advice from third party advisors (building inspectors, solicitors, selling agents etc), and that you are fully informed and aware of all the risks and obligations before entering in to a contract of sale. A buyers agent can be an invaluable asset and ally during this process to independently support and guide you.

The Standard Form Contract for Sale of Real Estate in Tasmania does allow for a cooling off period of 3 business days, however, in competitive environments, most selling agents will provide contracts with this field pre-populated, stating the buyer waives their right to the cooling off period. Ultimately, it is up to the buyer to decide whether they’d like their offer subject to a cooling off period, but its important to consider this as part of the strength and positioning of your overall offer. Consult with your solicitor and buyer’s agent on this in the context of your other conditions and strategy.

It depends. A Buyers’ Agent will need to make contact with the party responsible for marketing the property, which in most cases will be the Real Estate Agent. The Buyers’ Agent will direct all queries, correspondence and negotiations through the vendor’s Selling Agent. The exceptions to this are if the property owner is advertising and selling the property directly themselves without engaging in a licensed Real Estate Agent. In this case, the Buyers’ Agent will make direct contact with the property owner. Often buyers agents will also approach property owners directly too if there clients have indicated they have a genuine interest in their home. This can be done via letters or door-knocking for very particular homes or locations.