Most people searching for help buying or selling a property end up confused between a property advisor and a buyers advocate. The two services are often conflated but they are fundamentally different. Here is an honest breakdown so you can decide which one you actually need.
What Is a Buyers Advocate?
A buyers advocate (also called a buyers agent) is a licensed agent who searches for a property on your behalf. Their full service typically includes briefing, property search, shortlisting, due diligence, negotiation and purchase management. They charge either a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price — typically $15,000-$25,000+ or 1.5-3% of the purchase price.
What Is a Property Advisor?
A property advisor is an independent expert who helps you make better property decisions. Unlike a buyers advocate, a property advisor does not search for the property — you find it yourself. Instead they provide independent analysis, negotiation strategy and professional support to help you buy or sell with confidence. Collings Property Advisory charges a fixed fee of $4,500 + GST.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Collings Property Advisor | Buyers Advocate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who searches for the property? | You | The advocate |
| Independent analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Negotiation support | Yes | Yes |
| Fixed fee | $4,500 + GST | $15,000-$25,000+ or 1.5-3% |
| Works for buyers | Yes | Yes |
| Works for sellers | Yes | Rarely |
| Off-market access | Via Collings portal | Via advocate network |
Which One Do You Need?
If you need someone to search for a property on your behalf — especially across a wide geography or a specialist brief — a buyers advocate is worth considering. If you have already found the property, or you simply need expert analysis and negotiation support, a Collings Property Advisor at $4,500 + GST is the smarter, far more cost-effective choice.
FAQs
Can a property advisor do everything a buyers advocate does?
No. A property advisor does not conduct a property search on your behalf. But if you have already found the property, you are paying $10,000-$20,000 extra for a search service you do not need.
Is a Collings Property Advisor licensed?
Yes. Collings holds the appropriate real estate licences to provide property advice and negotiation services in Victoria and NSW.
When is a buyers advocate worth the extra cost?
If you are time-poor, investing remotely, or buying in a specialist market (commercial, development sites, prestige) where sourcing access matters, a full buyers advocate can be worthwhile. For most buyers who find their own property, a property advisor delivers the same key outcome — a better price — at a fraction of the cost.
Get Started Today
If you have found a property and need expert advice and negotiation support, a Collings Property Advisor is the smarter choice. Fixed fee. Independent. Expert. Enquire now at collings.com.au/portal or call us today. $4,500 + GST all-inclusive.
Find your next property with Collings
Track suburbs, get matched to on-market and off-market listings, and manage your whole property search in one place. Access the Collings property portal.
