Rich Harvey

So for me as a buyer's agent, I'm a lot more direct and upfront with the selling agents because we're professionals at our craft and the agent should be a professional at their craft.

So our conversation is very much based around comparable sales and the pros and cons of the property we're talking about versus other ones on the market or that have recently sold.

I've got a great example of a property I bought earlier in the year.

It was an off-market property.

I'd done a letterbox shop in a local area, found a four-bedroom, two-bath, two-car home, and it was a really difficult time, very competitive time in the market.

got an owner to respond to my letterbox drop, went around, had a look.

Now, the owner was pretty upfront, pretty transparent.

I said, look, have you had agents through?

He said, yes, we've had three agents through.

They've quoted me between 2.2 to 2.25.

I said, okay, well, that's a little bit above what my clients are willing to pay in this market, but let me have a chat to them.

I ring the client.

I said, look, I found the best property for you.

We go through, we have a look.

They love it.

And then I ring the owner back after the inspection and I say to them, I've got a genuine buyer for you, but I'm going to be upfront with you.

I know you want 2.2, but their maximum they can afford is 2.15.

And I said, look, if you're going to be selling this property on the open market, you're going to be paying sales commission, you're going to be paying marketing fees.

So that'll save you $50,000.

So I said, my offer of 2.15 is the same as 2.2.