We looked at about 50 buyer advocate websites to create this summary of fees.
This is just a rough guide and costs will differ between buyer advocate businesses.
When considering the cost, keep the outcome in perspective. Professional buyer's advocates save you time searching and money at auction or in a negotiation.
It's free to contact a buyer's advocate and have a chat with them about your situation. We highly recommend it from personal experience!
What we found
The fixed fees range from $550 for individual services to $10,000+ for a comprehensive service.
Percentage-based fees typically range from 1% to 3% of the purchase price.
Service-specific fees, like bidding at auctions, are often less expensive than full service. Individually we found examples of rates being about $550 or $995.
Full search and acquisition services have higher fees due to time, effort, expertise and level of service. These might be charges as a fixed amount or a percentage of the property price.
Initial Costs:
Some services have an initial fee, often ranging from a few thousand dollars up to $4,000, which is sometimes deducted from the final success fee.
Negotiable Fees:
Some agencies offer negotiable fees, which can be adjusted based on the service complexity and your preferences.
Inclusive Fees:
Certain services, like full search and acquisition, include retainer fees in their percentage-based charges.
Examples of Percentage-Based Fees:
- 1% of the property price for appraisal and negotiation, auction bidding
- 1.5% - 3% depending on the property type and service
- 1.65% - 2.75% for Full Search and Acquisition service
- 1.1% for Negotiation and Auction Bidding service
- 1.5% to 2% for Full Premium Service
- 0.75% to 1% for Assess and Negotiate
- 1.5% to 2% for Full Search service (inclusive of retainer)
Fee Structures and Models:
- Initial retainer deducted from success fee
- Engagement fee + success fee structure
- Fixed fee, percentage fee, tiered fixed fee options
- Free consultations (offered by some agencies)
Get in contact with buyer advocates and talk to them about your situation.
You'll have a real estate professional on your side to give you an edge and purchase a great property.
