In real estate, Buyer's Agents, also known as Buyer's Advocates, are licensed and regulated professionals who work exclusively for the buyer. Just like a Selling Agent works on behalf of the seller. They can add a lot of value to a buyer by conducting extensive research, identifying suitable properties, conducting thorough due diligence and negotiating the best deal possible for their clients.

A Buyer’s Agent can assist in many aspects of buying a property:

If you are time poor, hiring a buyer's agent can save you time by researching and inspecting properties on your behalf.

Assist in defining the search criteria, to ensure you find the right property.

Shortlisting properties that match your search criteria.

Able to get access to more properties, by accessing off market properties. Most buyer’s agents have strong and long lasting networks to allow them to get access to properties that on the market.

They will assess the value of the property based on their market knowledge not what the agent has said the property is worth.

Liaise with third-party professionals like building and pest inspectors and conveyancers to ensure thorough due diligence of the selected property is conducted.

Deal with selling agents on your behalf.

Negotiate for the property on your behalf, which can include bidding at auction which many buyers find extremely nerve-wracking.

At Justin Valentine Buyers Agent we predominantly help people to buy properties in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. This includes:

- Manningham: Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Nunawading, Donvale, Park Orchards, Ringwood North, Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Wonga Park and Warrandyte.

- Whitehorse: Box Hill, Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Surrey Hills, Vermont South.

- Boroondara: Ashburton, Balwyn, Balwyn North, Camberwell, Canterbury, Deepdene, Glen Iris, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew and Kew East.

- Monash: Ashwood, Burwood, Chadstone, Clayton, Glen Waverley, Hughesdale, Huntingdale, Mount Waverley, Mulgrave and Notting Hill.

By focusing on these suburbs we are able to have an intimate knowledge of these markets (and therefore able to offer the best advice) and gain access to more off-market properties through our relationships with real estate agents in these areas.

However we are able and willing to provide advice and help people buy property in any market throughout Australia, and happy to work with anyone to fulfil their property goals.

An off-market property is a property not publicly available for sale. This means that these properties are not advertised on public property listings or showcased to the general public. While the seller may have an agent and a price range, they may choose not to promote their property publicly. Through relationships with these agents buyers agents are able to get access to them for their clients.

If you're planning your first move to Melbourne, returning after an extended time abroad, or looking to invest in the Australian property market. We are able to do all the 'on the ground' work to view and assess properties that you simply cannot get to. We would work closely with you to select the best property for your needs, and ensure a smooth settlement process. We also offer after-sales support, from working with leasing agent's to find you the perfect tenant, to coordinating with a moving company, we're here to help you settle in comfortably.

Investing in real estate is a great way of making money and done well can set-up you and your family's financial future. However selecting your first investment property can be daunting. To make a well-informed choice, you should take into account several key factors.

• Understanding your budget is key, property investment should be considered as a long-term strategy, so make sure you can cope with any fluctuations that may affect your ability to hold the property (i.e. changes in personal circumstances, interest rates etc.).

• Assess the location, and pay close attention to the area's prospects for growth. 80% of the growth in a property is done from choosing the right location!

• Assess the property's condition, including any necessary repairs or improvements. Ensure thorough due diligence is conducted at the beginning, to avoid unwanted surprises later-on is critical.

• Consider the type of property that suits your investment goals, whether it's a single-family residence, multi-family dwelling, or commercial property.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the real estate market and its fluctuations. Nobody has a crystal ball, but a fundamental understanding of the Australian real estate market, the better your chances of making successful real estate investments are.

• And remember if it gets too hard, we are just a phone call away to help.