Many Australians have been choosing to downsize lately and looking to relocate to the Northern Beaches, including North Narrabeen, Narrabeen, Elanora Heights, Ingleside, Warriewood, Northern Beaches and Mona Vale.
Whether it’s financial or purely practical, downsizing can make life easier, and being by the beach makes a smaller home more enjoyable because you find yourself close to outdoor activities.
The problem with downsizing is finding the right property to move into. Competition is tight for quality properties, especially if they have sought-after features like lifts, secure parking and spacious balconies. This is why many downsizers work with buyer’s agents.
Here are five ways a buyer’s agent can make downsizing easier:
1. They help you narrow down your search
One of the biggest barriers to downsizing at the moment is finding a suitable property.
A buyer’s agent will listen carefully to what you want and sift through properties to find the ones that suit you.
Simply looking for properties in your price range or with a certain number of bedrooms will only sometimes provide enough scope to meet your needs.
This is where your buyer’s agent comes in. Talk to them about your needs in terms of space and accessibility. Chat about your budget, the number of bedrooms you’re looking for, and the style of home you’re looking for.
Armed with this information, your buyer’s agent will be able to create a shortlist of suitable homes. Not only does this save you the stress of visiting places that aren’t right for you, but buyer’s agents will also have access to properties that are not officially on the market yet, allowing you to get in ahead of the crowd. This is a key advantage in today’s tight market.
2. Buyer’s agents can help you think a little differently
Buyer’s agents can also broaden your scope. There may be properties or even suburbs you have overlooked. If you’re selling your home on the Northern Beaches, they may even be able to find you a place outside of the area, somewhere you didn’t already have on your radar.
You might find that you have ruled out some options without understanding the benefits. A buyer’s agent will think outside the box and has matched dozens of buyers with homes, so don’t be afraid to follow their lead.
3. They can save you money
Some people baulk at the thought of bringing in a buyer’s agent because they don’t want to spend the money. So, do buyer’s agents save you money?
The short answer is, yes, they definitely can.
Your buyer’s agent will do much more than find properties for you. They are involved in every step, right up to negotiating with vendors. The difference between a buyer’s agent and a real estate agent is that the buyer’s agent works solely for you. A real estate agent’s actual client is the vendor, and getting a good price for them is always at the top of their mind.
Your buyer’s agent, on the other hand, is only interested in getting the best price for you.They will negotiate and find ways to make sure you are the preferred buyer.
Again, it can come down to being in the know about properties before they hit the market. Many sellers are happy to achieve a good price quickly. Your buyer’s agent can arrange a pre-inspection before a home goes on the market and if you have a strong offer, you can get lucky and avoid bidding against the competition.
4. They can reduce the stress
The process of downsizing can be a very stressful one. For many downsizers, it has been a long time since they have been in the property market and buying a home is difficult and overwhelming for almost everyone. With a buyer’s agent, there is far less confusion and you’ll have confidence you’re not paying too much.
Your buyer’s agent can also handle the stress of bidding at auction for you. If you’re not familiar with the process, this can be a load off your mind.
5. They can keep things moving
For many downsizers, the decision to leave their family home behind is an emotional one.
The emotions dredged up by leaving a beloved home can impact decisions when hunting for a new home and it can delay the process.
Your buyer’s agent can guide you through those emotions and ensure you make logical decisions that work for your lifestyle and budget. Many families find the process to downsize is made much easier when there is an unbiased third party to help guide the process.
Need a buyer’s agent to help you downsize on the Northern Beaches?
If you are short on time and would like professional help from a specialist buyers agency, visit Sydney Northern Beaches Buyers Agents (SNBBA) or call (02) 9052 4945.