Why do I need a buyers agent if the selling agent seems helpful?
Selling agents are legally obligated to act for the vendor, not you. Their job is to get the highest possible price from you, and they’re prohibited by law from acting in your interests. The comparable sales lists some agents hand out at open inspections are a good example — in our experience, they routinely leave out sales evidence that would weaken the seller’s position. Curtis Associates works exclusively for buyers, with one objective: to find you the right property at the lowest achievable price, with as little stress as possible.
If buyers agents are such a good idea, why do so many people still buy property on their own?
Habit, mostly. Self-represented buying has been the norm in Sydney for decades, and selling agents have had every incentive to keep it that way — it keeps the power on their side. That’s changing. Buyers agents now handle a growing share of property transactions across Australia, and the shift is accelerating as more buyers recognise the imbalance they’ve been operating in.
Why doesn't Curtis Associates claim to "save you money" like other buyers agents do?
Because a saving has to be measured against something — and without that benchmark, the claim is meaningless. While we regularly purchase properties below the seller’s asking price or below what our clients were prepared to pay, the value of a good buyers agent isn’t only about price. We think there’s a more honest way to assess what a buyers agent is worth. We call it The Hindsight Test™ — and we’d encourage you to apply it to any buyers agent you’re considering.
I've bought property before. Why couldn't I get the same result myself?
You might. But consider this: the average Sydney buyer purchases a property roughly once a decade. We do it every day. Beyond the repetition, we bring professional-grade comparable sales databases, penetrating due diligence, and negotiation experience built over hundreds of transactions. The probabilities alone favour a better outcome — and that’s before any of the specifics of your purchase are factored in.
How does Curtis Associates access off-market properties?
Several ways, all built over nearly two decades operating as buyers agents in Sydney. Private sellers who want to avoid a public campaign, developers and operators we maintain active relationships with, and selling agents who contact us before — or instead of — listing publicly. The most consistent source is selling agents themselves. They have monthly targets, and dealing with a known, qualified buyers agent saves them time. More importantly, it comes down to trust. When we’ve dealt with a selling agent professionally and with integrity — regardless of how hard the negotiation was — we tend to be the first call they make with the next off-market opportunity. We receive those calls daily, often before a listing agreement has even been signed.
Does Curtis Associates receive commissions from anyone other than clients?
No. Our independence is the foundation of what we offer you, and accepting commissions from third parties would compromise that.
Do you offer vendor advocacy or property management services?
No, and deliberately so. A buyers agent who also provides vendor advocacy or property management cannot honestly call themselves independent or exclusive. Exclusive means shutting out all other activities — that’s our standard. We won’t risk becoming a jack of all trades.
Your principal isn't a former selling agent. Is that a disadvantage?
Many of our clients choose Curtis Associates precisely for that reason. Former selling agents carry habits and instincts built on the other side of the table. Our principal’s background is in negotiation and law, reflected in well over a billion dollars in property transactions. That perspective is an advantage, not a gap.
Does your principal's legal background mean Curtis Associates provides legal advice?
No. While that expertise informs our due diligence and negotiation approach, we are not permitted to provide legal advice. Where it’s needed, we’re happy to refer you to trusted specialists.
What if I find a property myself during the retainer?
It happens, and we’re glad when it does. The chances are we’ve already looked at the property and ruled it out — in which case we’ll tell you why. If not, let us know immediately so we can get to work on it. Either way, our full fee applies regardless of who finds the property.
Do you limit the number of suburbs you'll search?
No. We’ll help you narrow your focus as part of understanding your brief — and where it’s useful, we’ll take you on a drive through parts of the Sydney property market you may not know well. Past clients have found this enormously useful in sharpening their thinking.
How long does a typical search take?
It depends on the market cycle, your criteria, and the property type. The priority is always finding the right property rather than a fast one — though when the right property appears immediately, we’ve been known to complete a purchase within 16 hours to give our clients the winning edge.
How many properties will you look at on my behalf?
For residential property, we typically appraise between 15 and 50 properties, shortlisting three or four for your inspection. Our principal personally inspects every property before it’s shortlisted. Commercial and industrial searches vary by asset type.
What happens if my budget or preferred suburbs change mid-search?
We’re flexible — property searches evolve and we understand that. If the change is modest, we adapt without renegotiating. A significant shift in either budget or geography several weeks into a retainer may require us to revisit the fee arrangement.
Can I end the agreement if I change my mind?
Yes. You can terminate with seven days’ written notice. The retainer fee paid to that point is non-refundable, and a termination fee applies — the details are in your buyers agency agreement.
What professional memberships and insurance does Curtis Associates hold?
Our principal is an Associate of the Australian Property Institute and a Certified Property Practitioner. Curtis Associates is a full member of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales and holds professional indemnity insurance of $5 million — five times the statutory minimum.
Do you buy properties under $1 million?
No. We specialise in residential, commercial, and development properties above $1 million across Greater Sydney.
Are buyers agents only for wealthy buyers?
Not at all. A property purchase is likely the largest financial transaction most people ever make. Buying without a buyers agent and ending up paying too much, or purchasing the wrong property, can cost far more than any fee. Professional representation isn’t a luxury — it’s risk management.
What should I know before buying a property with a water view?
A few things catch buyers out regularly. First, there is no legal right to a view in NSW — anything in front of the property can potentially be built up, so you need to research council height limits not just for your street but for every street between the property and the water, and check zoning carefully. Second, consider which rooms actually benefit — a view only visible from a top-floor hallway adds little value, while outlooks from living areas, the kitchen, and the master bedroom are what buyers and future buyers will pay for. Third, height doesn’t always help in apartments, as higher floors can sometimes place you above the sight line to the water when seated. And finally, view premiums drop off sharply over the first few kilometres from the water before levelling out — distance matters more than most buyers expect.
How are sustainable property features affecting buyer decisions?
Increasingly, both residential tenants and commercial occupiers are factoring in energy efficiency and sustainability. For investment properties, features like solar panels, efficient heating and cooling, good insulation, and water-saving fittings can improve tenant attraction and retention — and many carry tax depreciation benefits. In the commercial market, green building ratings are now an active requirement for many large tenants. It’s a factor worth considering in your brief, and one we help you evaluate as part of our due diligence process.
