One of the greatest misconceptions in property is assuming the estate agent is on your side. The truth is clear: estate agents are paid by the vendor, with commissions ranging from 1.5–2.5% of the sale price (REIA 2025 Commission Structures Report). In premium markets like Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, where houses often sell for $2–3 million, that equates to $40,000–$75,000 — a powerful incentive to push the price higher.
By contrast, a Buyer’s Agent represents you. Their role is to secure the right property, at the right price, on the best terms possible.
A Tale of Two Clients
- James, an expat in Singapore, assumed the Melbourne estate agent showing him homes was “his agent.” In reality, that agent’s loyalty lay with the vendor. James nearly overpaid on a $1.1m townhouse until a Buyer’s Agent inspected on his behalf and negotiated a saving of $80,000. (Domain Melbourne Market Report, July 2025 shows clearance rates at 70%, highlighting the competition James was up against.)
- Helen, a downsizer in Bondi, believed the agent selling her chosen unit was supporting her interests. When it came to the contract, she realised the agent’s job was to maximise the vendor’s return. Her Buyer’s Agent later guided her to a strata unit in Randwick with lift access and healthcare nearby, avoiding a costly mistake and future mobility challenges.
Why This Distinction Matters for Rightsizers
Estate agents chase prestige listings, turnover, and vendor satisfaction. Rightsizers, on the other hand, often need something different:
- Age-friendly features: single-level living, lifts, wide doorways, safe parking.
- Proximity to services: healthcare, transport, family networks.
- Equity preservation: protecting the value of decades in the family home.
A Buyer’s Agent screens properties against these criteria — something a selling agent will never do.
Myth-Busting for Buyers 🔎
- Myth: “Estate agents must give me fair advice.”
Reality: They’re legally obliged to act in the seller’s best interests. You are not their client. - Myth: “Buyer’s Agents just add another layer of cost.”
Reality: While Buyer’s Agents typically charge 1.5–2%, their savings in negotiation often outweigh the fee. For example, on a $2m North Shore house, a 5% saving ($100,000) dwarfs the average fee (~$30,000–$40,000).
Regional Specificity
This dynamic plays out across different buyer groups:
- Rightsizers in the North Shore: navigating prestige markets where competition is fierce and auction pressure is high.
- Expats in Melbourne’s Bayside: struggling to trust selling agents while purchasing remotely.
- Downsizers in the Central Coast: seeking lifestyle villas where selling agents focus more on promoting retirement village alternatives.
In each case, the estate agent’s job is to serve the seller — not the buyer.
Why Choose The Rightsizer? 🏆
Unlike generic Buyer’s Agents, The Rightsizer focuses on:
- Specialist downsizer support — understanding the emotional and logistical challenges of letting go of the family home.
- Equity-first approach — ensuring decades of property wealth aren’t wasted on rushed or ill-suited purchases.
- Networks in rightsizer-preferred suburbs — from Mosman and Roseville to Randwick and Terrigal, we know where rightsizers want to live and maintain relationships with local estate agents who often call us first.
Call to Action 📞
If you’re relying solely on the selling agent for advice, you’re effectively entering negotiations unrepresented. Take control of your property journey:
- Rightsizers: Book a strategy call to discuss equity preservation and lifestyle transition.
- Expats: Schedule a virtual consultation to have eyes and ears on the ground.
- First-home buyers: Download our free Auction Survival Guide.
- 👉 Contact The Rightsizer today and ensure the next agent you meet is on your side.
