How we choose the top buyer’s agents in Melbourne
Our list highlights some of the most reputable buyer’s agents operating in Melbourne. Each agent included has been assessed using a consistent and transparent set of benchmarks designed to identify experienced professionals with a strong track record in the local market.
To be considered for the list, buyer’s agents must meet the following requirements:
✓ At least 5 years of experience working as a dedicated buyer’s agent
✓ A minimum customer rating of 4.5 stars based on verified reviews
✓ 50 or more confirmed client reviews across trusted platforms
✓ A well-established team that can provide end-to-end buying support
✓ A demonstrated track record of property transactions across Melbourne
Every provider listed on this page met these standards. They are shown in no particular order: this is not a 1-to-10 merit ranking, and a provider’s position in the list does not mean it is better than the others.
What does a buyer’s agent cost in Melbourne?
A percentage deal runs 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price. A fixed fee runs $8,000 to $18,000 for most full-service engagements. Negotiation-only or auction-only work starts around $500 plus GST.
Watch the model, not just the number. On a percentage deal the agent earns more when you pay more, which sits awkwardly against the job of negotiating you a lower price. A fixed fee removes that. Ask which model applies before the first meeting ends, and get the figure in writing.
Cheaper options exist if you only need part of the job. Auction bidding or negotiation on a property you found yourself is quoted separately and costs a fraction of a full search. Our guide to buyer’s agent fees breaks the models down state by state.
When a buyer’s agent is not worth it
Nobody on the first page of Google will tell you this, because they all sell the service. Three situations where the fee is hard to justify.
You already know the suburb and have time to inspect. A buyer’s agent earns their money on access, discipline and negotiation. If you have the weekends free and you know what a fair price looks like on your street, you are paying for something you can do.
The agent takes money from the other side. Some firms accept a commission from developers or sellers on off-the-plan and so-called off-market stock. Ask directly whether they receive any payment from anyone but you, and take a “no” in writing.
The agreement is longer than your search. Buyer’s agent contracts often run up to 180 days and can include exclusivity, meaning you owe a fee even on a property you found yourself. Read the term and the exclusivity clause before signing.
Does it matter which part of Melbourne your buyer’s agent works in?
Yes, more than most buyers expect. A buyer’s agent earns their fee on knowing what a street is worth, which agents to call before a listing goes up, and what a property will actually sell for on the day. That knowledge is local. An agent who buys in one pocket every month is not the same as one who has done two deals there in five years.
Melbourne splits into markets that behave differently. The inner east around Hawthorn and Kew trades on period homes and school zones. The inner north through Brunswick and Northcote turns over terraces and warehouse conversions. Bayside runs on its own auction rhythm. The outer east, the west through Footscray and Werribee, and the Mornington Peninsula are separate markets again, where land size and travel time drive the decision.
Some of the firms on this list work right across greater Melbourne. Others deliberately stay in two or three council areas. Neither is better, but the mismatch costs you: a generalist stretched across the city will lean on the same listing portals you can see yourself.
Ask two questions on the first call. How many properties have you bought in this specific area in the past twelve months, and can you name the last three. A local specialist answers immediately. Anyone else changes the subject.
Which parts of Melbourne each firm says it covers
The list above is not ordered, so the useful question is which of these firms works where you are buying. Below is what each one states about its own coverage on its own website, checked in September 2026. Where a firm does not name areas, we have said so rather than guess. Coverage changes, and most firms will look outside their usual patch for the right client, so confirm it before you sign anything.
- Bayside: Greville Pabst, Cohen Handler, Industry Insider.
- Inner east, Stonnington and Boroondara: Greville Pabst, Cohen Handler, Industry Insider.
- CBD and inner city: Greville Pabst, Cohen Handler.
- Port Phillip, Glen Eira and Yarra: Greville Pabst, Industry Insider.
- Inner north: Greville Pabst, Cohen Handler.
- Eastern and south eastern suburbs: Greville Pabst, Cohen Handler.
- North west and west: Cohen Handler.
- Kingston: Industry Insider.
- Mornington Peninsula: Cohen Handler, Industry Insider.
- Inner and middle ring suburbs generally: Amy Lunardi.
Four firms name no Melbourne regions. Empower Wealth says the search area is wherever the client wants to be. Property Home Base says anywhere in Melbourne or rural Victoria. LongView and Keyhole Property Investments describe themselves as Melbourne firms without naming areas. Cate Bakos covers Melbourne along with Geelong and Ballarat, and Elite Buyer Agents lists offices in Melbourne, Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula rather than a coverage area.
One thing to read into the pattern: the inner east, Bayside and Stonnington are heavily covered, so you have real choice there. The west, the north west and the outer growth corridors are thin. If you are buying out that way, ask directly how many purchases the firm has made in your suburb in the last year, and ask for the addresses.
Jump straight to a firm
Looking up one firm in particular? Go straight to its review and contact details.
The 10 best buyer’s agents
in Melbourne, reviewed and compared
Greville Pabst
- 5.0
- Buyers Advocacy & Property Advisory
- Home Buyers, Investors & Developers
- Property Acquisition & Negotiation
Managing Director - Greville Pabst
Greville Pabst holds certified practising valuer status alongside his real estate agent licence, a combination few buyer’s agents carry. He is Executive Chairman of WBP Group and a fellow of both the Australian Property Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. His media work includes The Australian Financial Review and Nine’s The Block Buyer’s Jury.
Expertise
Valuation-First Approach
Unlike standard agents, Greville Pabst’s background as one of Australia’s leading Property Valuation Directors means he understands the true financial fundamentals behind high-value commercial and luxury residential property with $5m+ price points.
Off-Market Intelligence
The ability to identify and secure property that has never been listed on public portals.
Confidentiality
Essential for many of the high-net-worth individuals, business identities, public figures, and celebrities he represents.
Commercial + Residential Fluidity
The ability to pivot between a medical centre, office building investment, and a luxury $10m penthouse with equal expertise.
Greville Pabst is a trusted partner in the acquisition and disposal of multi-million-dollar real estate. He brings 35 years of property experience, strong negotiation skills, and professional accreditation as a Licensed Estate Agent and Property Valuer.
Services
- Luxury Residential
- Investment
- Commercial
Client Experience
Contact Details
Phone: +61 419 326 361
Email: [email protected]
Address: 274 Richardson St, Middle Park VIC 3206
Current Offer:
Consultation
Empower Wealth Advisory
- 4.9
- Property Strategy & Buyers Advocacy
- Property Investors & Owner Occupiers
- Portfolio Planning & Property Acquisition
Buyer’s agency sits inside a wider financial advisory business at Empower Wealth Advisory. The firm helps clients build long-term wealth through residential property investment, pairing the purchase with structured investment advice.
Its approach centres on planning and education: investors are helped to identify property that fits their broader financial goals, and to make informed decisions as a portfolio grows.
Managing Director - Ben Kingsley
Ben Kingsley co-founded Empower Wealth with Bryce Holdaway. Kingsley is a qualified property investment advisor and financial strategist who works with clients building property portfolios. Holdaway’s work sits in property education and media commentary. Together they built the firm around combining investment strategy with buyer representation.
Services:
- Property Investment Strategy
- Buyer’s Agency Services
- Portfolio Planning
- Investment Property Acquisition
- Financial Strategy Advice

Contact Details
Phone: 1300 123 842
Address: Level 9, 88 Laurens St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Current Offer:
Consultation
Cohen Handler
- 4.9
- Buyers Advocacy & Negotiation
- Home Buyers, Investors & Expats
- Auction Bidding & Property Acquisition
Trading since 2009, Cohen Handler has grown into a national team with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.
Services cover buyer’s agency and advocacy, property management, and auction bidding. Clients range from first-home buyers to investors and expats. The firm describes itself as Australia’s largest residential buyer’s agency, and says it had helped clients buy more than $10 billion of property as at 2025.
Managing Director – Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen founded the business in 2009 and still directs it. He started out at Ray White Double Bay, where he ranked in the agency’s top 3% nationally. Under him Cohen Handler added specialist arms: Costi Cohen for commercial, CH Secure for affordable investment stock, and Cohen Farquharson for executive leasing and property management.
Contact Details
Phone: 1300 244 768
Address: 2/454 Toorak Rd, Toorak VIC 3142
Current Offer:
Consultation
Property Home Base
- 5.0
- Buyers Advocacy & Property Search
- Home Buyers & Investors
- Property Acquisition & Negotiation
Flat fees, not commission, are the defining feature at Property Home Base. Founder Julie DeBondt-Barker set the business up as a flat fee alternative to commission-based advocacy, and it later expanded to include seller advocacy.
The firm is based in Melbourne. Its advocates act for buyers and sellers as independent advisers, and the team works without a shopfront, which keeps overheads and fees down.
Managing Director - Julie DeBondt-Barker
Julie DeBondt-Barker sold real estate before switching sides. She found a market full of commission-based advocates, which she saw as a conflict of interest for buyers, and built a flat fee alternative instead. She leads the Property Home Base team.
Services:
- Buyer’s Advocacy
- Consult, Bid and Negotiate Service
- First Home Buyers
- Home Buyers
- Concierge Service
- Seamless Property Advocate Service
- Seller Advocacy
- Aged Care and Retirement Service
- Seamless Vendor Advocacy
- Property investment
- Local Investors
- Strategic Property Investment Service
- Tax Depreciation and Property Valuation
Client Experience
Contact Details
Phone: 1300 882 842
Address: Level 17/31 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Current Offer:
Consultation
LongView
- 4.6
- Buyers Advocacy & Property Investment
- Property Investors & Owner Occupiers
- Property Acquisition & Investment Solutions
LongView is not a buyer’s agency in the usual sense. It is a property advisory and asset management firm, and the purchase is only the first stage of what it does.
Clients are supported across the life of an investment: acquisition strategy, property selection, then asset management and long-term portfolio work. It suits residential investors who want one firm handling both the purchase and what happens afterwards.
Managing Director - Evan Thornley
Evan Thornley co-founded LongView. He is an Australian entrepreneur and investor whose career spans technology, finance and property, and he has founded and led several companies. At LongView he builds the systems and advisory frameworks behind the firm’s integrated investment model.
Services:
- Property Investment Strategy
- Buyer’s Agency Services
- Property Portfolio Advisory
- Property Management
- Investment Property Acquisition
Contact Details
Phone: 1800 931 784
Address: 31 Hardner Rd, Mount Waverley VIC 3149
Current Offer:
Consultation
Cate Bakos Property
- 5.0
Founded in 2014, Cate Bakos Property acts for owner-occupiers and investors buying across Melbourne and selected Victorian markets. The work runs from brief and planning through search, evaluation and negotiation.
Research drives the process. The award record includes National Buyer’s Agent of the Year in 2018, a 2016 Most Client-Focused Property Investment Advisor title for Victoria, and finalist places at the REIV and Telstra Business Woman awards.
Managing Director - Cate Bakos
Cate Bakos has helped more than 2,000 clients with acquisition, strategy and portfolio decisions. Her background covers property sales, mortgage broking and investment advisory, so lending policy and cashflow sit inside her advice. She was REBAA President from 2019 to 2023, now chairs PIPA, co-hosts The Property Trio podcast and has written two property investment books.
Services:
- Qualified property investment advisor
- Expert home finding service
- Property negotiation & auction bidding services
- Regional property purchases in Ballarat, Geelong, and Victoria
Awards & Achievements
♦ 2018 #1 National Buyer’s Agent of the Year
♦ 2013 National Buyer’s Agent of the Year
♦ 2015 High Commendation – Property Advisory
♦ 2016 Most Client-Focused Property Investment Advisor (Victoria)
♦ Telstra Business Woman of the Year – Finalist (2013 & 2019)
♦ REIV Buyers’ Agent of the Year – Finalist (2013)

Contact Details
Phone: 03 7000 6026
Address: 1A/58 Anderson Street, Yarraville VIC 3013
Current Offer:
Consultation
- Buyers Advocacy & Property Search
- Home Buyers & Investors
- Property Acquisition & Negotiation
Elite Buyer Agents
- 5.0
- Buyers Advocacy & Property Search
- Home Buyers & Investors
- Property Acquisition & Negotiation
More than 15 years in the Melbourne market sits behind Elite Buyer Agents, an independent agency acting for owner-occupiers and investors. The firm covers the search, due diligence and negotiation.
It works across residential markets in Melbourne and the surrounding areas, with clients ranging from first-home buyers to experienced purchasers. Established agent relationships and local knowledge underpin the advice it gives on competitive purchases.
Managing Director - David Easterbrook
David Easterbrook is the director and day-to-day operator of Elite Buyer Agents, working with clients himself through selection, negotiation and market analysis. His career covers buying, selling and advocating for purchasers, and he is known for a direct, transparent negotiating style backed by detailed research.
Services:

• Residential Property Acquisition
• Investment Property Advisory
• Negotiation Services
• Auction Bidding Representation
• Property Search Services
Contact Details
Phone: 03 9592 1122
Address: 3/214-216 Bay Street Brighton VIC 3186
Current Offer:
Consultation
Industry Insider Property
- 5.0
- Property Acquisition & Research
- Property Investors
- Investment Property Strategy
Family homes and prestige property in Melbourne’s sought-after suburbs are the focus at Industry Insider Property. The firm acts for owner-occupiers and investors, from acquisition strategy through search, evaluation and negotiation.
Local market insight and negotiation do most of the work here. A large share of new business arrives by client referral, which the firm puts down to its reputation for independent advice.
Managing Director - Andrew Date
Andrew Date founded the firm and has more than 15 years in Melbourne residential property. He works across the inner city, Stonnington, Boroondara, Port Phillip, Bayside, Glen Eira, Yarra, Kingston and the Mornington Peninsula, with a focus on off-market access. He has commented in the Herald Sun and appeared on The Block in 2022.
Services:
- Buyer’s Agent
- Estate Negotiation
- Auction Bidding and Negotiating
- Selling/Vendor Advocate
- Property Management

Contact Details
Phone: 1300 317 911
Address: Level 3/489 Toorak Road, Toorak 3142
Current Offer:
Consultation
Amy Lunardi Property
- 5.0
- Buyers Advocacy & Property Search
- Home Buyers & Investors
- Property Acquisition & Negotiation
Amy Lunardi Property is a founder-led, independent agency working in residential property acquisition for owner-occupiers and investors.
The firm takes clients through the whole purchase: refining the brief, identifying opportunities, due diligence, negotiation and securing the property. Lunardi works with clients directly, assessing properties and negotiating on their behalf.
Managing Director - Amy Lunardi
Amy Lunardi founded the agency and works as its buyer’s agent. She spends time on a client’s goals before starting the search, then handles property assessments and negotiates the purchase. Her focus is buyers who want a clear strategy and experienced representation in a competitive market.
Services:
- Buyer’s Agency Services
- Property Search and Acquisition
- Investment Property Advisory
- Auction Bidding Representation
- Negotiation Services

Contact Details
Phone: 0411 805 500
Address: 9/11 Cremorne St, Cremorne VIC 3121
Current Offer:
Consultation
Keyhole Property Investments
- 4.7
- Investment Property Acquisition
- Property Investors
- Research & Portfolio Growth
Every property advocate at Keyhole Property Investments (KPI) is a former selling agent. That is the firm’s stated edge: people who know how the other side negotiates.
Founded in Melbourne in 2005, KPI covers buyer advocacy, vendor advocacy and property management. It was named REIV Small Residential Agency of the Year in 2022 and again in 2023.
Managing Director - Melissa Opie
Melissa Opie founded KPI in 2005. She is a licensed real estate agent with more than 30 years across sales, property management and both buyer and vendor advocacy, and holds a property portfolio of her own. She won Buyer’s Agent of the Year in 2022, holds REIV leadership roles, and is a published author.
Services
- Buyer Advocacy
- Vendor Advocacy
- Property Management
- Rental Property Search
- Home Buyers Assistance
- Property Investment Advisory
- SMSF Property Buying

Contact Details
Phone: 03 9372 6222
Address: 80 Dorcas St, Southbank VIC 3006
Current Offer:
Consultation
Disclaimer: OurTop10 provides general comparison information only. We do not guarantee service outcomes or suitability for individual circumstances. Users should conduct their own research and consider seeking licensed professional advice. Read our full methodology.
Submit an inquiry to OurTop10 Buyers Agents
What does a buyer’s agent do?
A buyer’s agent (or buyer’s advocate) is a licensed property professional who represents the buyer throughout the purchasing process. Their job is to help you find the right property and secure it on favourable terms.
Instead of marketing properties like a selling agent, buyer’s agents focus on researching opportunities, assessing value and negotiating purchases on your behalf.
Our research shows 18% of property buyers in Victoria have sought or are seeking property advice from a buyer’s agent in 2026.
Typical buyer’s agent services include:
Work with you to define your property brief, including preferred suburbs, property type and budget
Identify suitable properties in Melbourne suburbs that match your criteria, including homes not publicly advertised
Inspect properties on your behalf if you’re unable to attend open homes
Analyse recent comparable sales data in your chosen area and conduct their own property valuations to help you understand what a property is realistically worth
Conduct due diligence, including reviewing contracts, planning overlays and potential risks
Negotiate with selling agents and submit offers on your behalf
Bid at auction on your behalf if required
Guide you through the process from property search right through to exchange and settlement, and some will even collect the keys on your behalf
Who typically uses a buyer’s agent?
Because buyer’s agents handle much of the research, inspections and negotiation involved in purchasing property, they’re often used by:
Busy professionals who don’t have time to attend inspections or monitor listings
First-home buyers who want guidance through the purchase process
Property investors looking for opportunities with strong rental yields or capital growth potential in Greater Melbourne
Downsizers on the hunt for a property that better suits their lifestyle needs
Interstate or overseas buyers who can’t attend inspections in person
Buyers who want access to off-market properties in Melbourne
Why use a buyer’s agent in Melbourne?
Melbourne’s property market presents a mixed picture for buyers. While dwelling prices are relatively competitive compared with some other capital cities, Victoria has some of the highest property taxes in Australia, which can significantly increase the overall cost of purchasing. According to the PropTrack Home Price Index, the median house price in Melbourne is around $1.005 million, while units sit at roughly $629,000.
Therefore homebuyers in Melbourne would benefit from using a buyer’s agent who understands local pricing trends and negotiation strategies.
Two of the key advantages include:
Buy below the asking price
Buyer’s agents understand local property values and negotiate directly with selling agents or vendors. In some cases, this can help you secure a property 5–10% below the advertised price, depending on market conditions.
Access to off-market opportunities
Buyer’s agents often hear about properties being sold privately before they’re publicly advertised. This can give you the opportunity to secure a property early and avoid competing with a large pool of other buyers once the listing goes live on platforms like Domain Group or REA Group.
Reduced risk when buying
Before the Building & Pest inspection, they can spot potential issues simply because they know the area well or have seen similar problems come up before. For example, they may already know certain streets have a history of flooding, or they could be working on another property nearby where similar issues have recently come up.
How to choose a buyer’s agent in Melbourne
Choosing the right buyer’s agent can make a big difference to your property search. Ideally, you want someone who knows the Melbourne market well, communicates clearly and has a strong professional network.
Before engaging a buyer’s agent, consider asking these questions:
How long have you worked as a buyer’s agent in Melbourne?
Which suburbs or regions do you specialise in?
Do you personally invest in Melbourne property?
What recent purchases have you completed for clients?
What qualifications or licences do you hold in Victoria?
How do you source off-market properties?
Frequently asked questions about Melbourne buyer’s agents
How much does a buyers agent cost in Melbourne?
Buyer’s agents in Melbourne usually charge 2 types of fees.
First is an engagement fee, which typically ranges from $4,000 to $10,000, paid when you begin working together.
The second is a success fee, usually 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price (plus GST), payable once the property is successfully secured. For example, if you buy a $1 million property and your buyer’s agent charges a 2% success fee, the fee would be $20,000, plus GST.
Buyer’s agent fees will vary depending on:
The price range of the property
How competitive the market is
Whether the brief involves owner-occupier or investment property
What licences do buyer’s agents need in Melbourne?
Buyer’s agents operating in Victoria must meet certain licensing requirements set by the Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Typically this includes:
Real estate licence or registration
Buyer’s agents generally operate under a licensed estate agency or hold their own real estate licence.
Relevant training or qualifications
In Victoria, the minimum qualification for someone working as a buyer’s agent is typically the Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (CPP41419). Buyer’s agents who operate their own agency or run an independent business generally need to hold the Diploma of Property (Agency Management) (CPP51122).
Professional compliance requirements
Buyer’s agents must comply with regulatory standards, which may include background checks and maintaining appropriate insurance coverage.
Are buyer’s agents members of any professional organisations?
Many buyer’s agents across Australia are members of the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA).
While membership isn’t mandatory, REBAA members must adhere to a professional code of conduct designed to promote transparency and ethical behaviour when representing buyers.
What’s the difference between a buyer’s agent and a real estate agent?
The key difference comes down to who they represent.
A real estate agent works on behalf of the property seller, with the goal of achieving the highest possible sale price.
A buyer’s agent works exclusively for the buyer, to help them identify suitable properties, negotiate the purchase price and navigate the buying process.
How do buyer’s agents in Melbourne find off-market properties?
Buyer’s agents in Melbourne get access to off-market properties mainly through their networks and industry relationships. Because they work in the market every day, they often hear about properties before they’re publicly listed.
Relationships with selling agents
Buyer’s agents frequently work with real estate agents across Melbourne, who often share property listings with them before they’re publicly advertised.
Pre-market opportunities
Some properties are quietly shown to selected buyers before appearing online. Buyer’s agents are often invited to view these early listings.
Direct vendor outreach
Some agents contact homeowners in targeted suburbs through letterbox campaigns, phone calls or direct approaches to identify potential sellers.
Developer relationships
Buyer’s agents can also gain early access to new apartment or townhouse projects through relationships with property developers.
Melbourne property market update: September 2026
Melbourne’s downturn continues, with dwelling values falling 1.1% over the past month and 3.9% over the quarter; the second-steepest quarterly decline of any capital city after Sydney. Values are down 4.7% year-on-year and now sit 6.8% below their March 2022 record. Affordability and serviceability constraints, three cash rate hikes this year, cost-of-living pressures and weak consumer sentiment have all curbed buyer demand, while the Federal Budget’s negative gearing changes have pulled investors back from established stock. Melbourne does retain the highest gross rental yield of the major capitals at 4.0%.
Property type | Median price | Monthly growth | Median weekly rents |
Dwellings | $786,718 | -1.1% | $600 |
Houses | $920,432 | -1.4% | $600 |
Units | $629,054 | -0.5% | $600 |
Source: Cotality Home Value Index, September 2026. Note: A dwelling includes both houses and units/apartments, so it’s measuring the combined residential property market rather than just detached houses.
Top 10 regions in Melbourne and regional Victoria for capital growth
Greater Melbourne | Median value & annual growth | Regional VIC | Median value & annual growth |
Sunbury | $725,708 (+2.7%) | Latrobe Valley | $522,268 (+13.6%) |
Brimbank | $712,104 (+1.5%) | Grampians | $395,119 (+12.5%) |
Maribyrnong | $673,786 (+1.1%) | Glenelg – Southern Grampians | $457,001 (+11.2%) |
Casey – South | $786,781 (+0.7%) | Mildura | $548,121 (+9.0%) |
Melton – Bacchus Marsh | $658,943 (0.0%) | Loddon – Elmore | $445,385 (+8.8%) |
Keilor | $1,016,243 (-0.5%) | Ballarat | $636,899 (+8.8%) |
Tullamarine – Broadmeadows | $708,296 (-0.8%) | Wellington | $478,665 (+7.5%) |
Wyndham | $685,275 (-0.9%) | Bendigo | $653,650 (+7.3%) |
Melbourne City | $509,747 (-0.9%) | Shepparton | $552,351 (+7.1%) |
Casey – North | $828,562 (-0.9%) | Maryborough – Pyrenees | $409,354 (+6.9%) |
Source: Cotality Home Value Index, September 2026.
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