Buyers advocate for home and investment buyers

Time-poor professionals, interstate or overseas buyers, first home buyers and investors who want an expert on their side.

A fixed engagement fee, a success fee on purchase, or a mix of both. Some advocates also charge a smaller upfront search fee.

• Knowing your local property market well
• Negotiation and calm bidding at auctions
• Clear communication with anxious buyers
• Research and reading contracts and reports

• Licensing differs by state and territory, and acting for buyers without the right licence may be an offence, so check before you take a fee
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Conflicts of interest: check the rules on commissions or referral payments from agents, brokers or developers
• Giving advice on loans, super or investment structures may need a financial services licence, so stick to property and refer clients on
• Income can be uneven because fees often depend on a purchase going ahead
• Check council rules if you run client meetings from home

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your insurance, website, tools and how you set up your home office. These are estimates, so get quotes for insurance and other set-up items first.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many clients you take on and your fees. This is an estimate before costs, and income can be uneven because fees often depend on a purchase going ahead.

Licensing differs by state and territory, so check before you take a fee. Also check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, rules on commissions or referral payments, and whether advice on loans or investments needs a financial services licence.