15 questions to ask your buyer’s agent: WA Department of Commerce

Finding a buyer's agent that fits your investment plan is tricky business. They're not all made equal.

If you're currently in the process of choosing a buyer's agent, then here are 15 questions that you should be asking:

1. What are your skills and experience as a buyer’s agent?
   
   
2. What is your fee?
   
   
3. How is your fee determined?
   
   
4. What services are included in your fee?
   
   
5. Are there any additional fees/charges?
   
   
6. Do you need my authority to incur additional fees/charges?
   
   
7. How frequently will you provide me with a list of suitable properties?
   
   
8. How thoroughly do you evaluate properties on the list? What research do you undertake before recommending a property to me?
   
   
9. How does the negotiation process work?
   
   
10. What strategies will you employ to achieve the best possible outcome for me?
    
    
11. Are you a member of a relevant industry body, such as the Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA) or the Real EstateBuyers’ Agents Association of Australia?
    
    
12. Can you provide references from former clients?
    
    
13. Do you have Professional Indemnity insurance?
    
    
14. Do you have a conflict of interest? In other words, are you the selling agent for a property that you think I might be interested in purchasing?
    
    
15. What happens if I locate a property myself or inherit a property during the period of our contract?

Source: Government of Western Australian, Department of Commerce (for more of their tips, see here).

You can also read Property Observer's guide to choosing a buyer's agent here.