One of the quickest ways to gain a competitive edge in the property market is to tap into the experience and insight of people who spend their day-to-day helping buyers find, finance and secure a home. Here’s who you need on your side.


Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you’re ever going to make. If you have put the hard work in to get to the point of purchase, it’s smart to surround yourself with the right team who can help you follow through with meeting your goals effectively and smoothly. 

"Having the right people in your corner will help you make good decisions,” says Wendy Brown, Head of Broker Home Loans at Macquarie’s Banking and Financial Services Group, “and it’ll help the process run more smoothly, too."

When you buy a property, you are dealing with professionals who are all acting for the seller. So, which home loan experts should be in your corner?

The financial adviser or Tax Agent 

It’s important that buying a home makes sense for your financial situation and won’t trigger adverse consequences for your overall savings or tax position. Seeking the advice and services of an appropriately licensed financial adviser or Registered Tax Agent – or both – prior to purchasing a property can help you see and assess the big picture that the property fits into.

A Registered Tax Agent is a particularly worthwhile person to work with if you are buying a property for investment purposes, as there are considerations which can impact your bottom line, such as capital gains tax.

The mortgage broker and home loan specialist

A mortgage broker is a professional who works with banks and lenders to arrange a home loan on your behalf and is required to act in your best interests when suggesting a product for you. You usually don’t pay a mortgage broker a fee, they are paid via commission from banks and lenders.

A good broker will work with you to find a home loan that suits your preferences, financial circumstances and goals. They also have a thorough understanding of loan products, and how to work with banks and lenders to achieve the right result for you efficiently. 

A home loan specialist will also be able to help identify the loan features most suitable for you and your circumstances. For example, investors may find a fixed-rate loan that allows them to 'set and forget' suits best. Owner occupiers may prefer to make extra repayments or allocate savings to an offset or redraw facility, so they pay less interest over the life of their loan.

It's a good idea to speak with a mortgage broker or home loan specialist early in the process to ensure you have realistic expectations of how much you can afford to borrow and what products are most suitable to your circumstances. 

The buyer’s agent

If you lack the time to hunt for a property, you could consider using a buyer’s agent to do some of the leg work. A buyer’s agent, sometimes referred to as a buyer’s advocate, is a professional who works on the buyer’s behalf for a range of services including searching for a property, negotiating the sale price and bidding at auction. It’s important to understand what fees a buyer’s agent will be charging you, and whether you will be charged for their work if they don’t secure you a property. 

Often, buyer’s agents have strong connections with real estate agents and an intimate understanding of the markets in which they operate. This can give buyers an edge over their competition, especially as buyers agents are accustomed to the skills and speed needed to secure a good property. 

Having the right people in your corner will help you make good decisions.

Wendy Brown, Head of Broker Home Loans at Macquarie’s Banking and Financial Services Group

The real estate agent

Of course, real estate agents work for the seller, but they can also give buyers valuable information.

Real estate agents can provide an overview of past sales, which helps identify the price a property may sell for. They will have access to current and historical sales data and a strong understanding of the suburb and its demographics. 

Also, you can ask questions of real estate agents such as why the owner is selling the property, which may give helpful insight – for example, an urgent sale may mean a seller is willing to accept the quickest offer, rather than the highest. 

The building and pest inspectors 

So, you've identified a property that seems just right, but what lies beneath its appealing exterior? Properties are often renovated or refreshed for sale, which can mask some notable defects. 

Though no property will ever be perfect, a building inspector (or structural surveyor) and a pest inspector can provide some assurance that there are no major or sinister issues with the property. 

The reports they produce can also act as useful guides for you, if you choose to go ahead with the purchase. For example, if the inspectors find defects or issues that aren’t a dealbreaker for you, this information can still act as a tool for negotiating the purchase price down. In addition, building reports can be useful for planning future renovation or works to the property, as they often identify areas that can be improved to enhance safety, structural integrity and longevity.

The solicitor or conveyancer

Before signing a contract of sale, it’s wise to engage the services of a solicitor or conveyancer to review it for you and handle the legal aspects of the transaction on your behalf. A solicitor or conveyancer can be a powerful professional to have in your corner, as they will act in your interests to ensure that you understand what you are signing and are not disadvantaged by the terms of the contract. 

Services solicitors or conveyancers provide can include conducting background checks on the property with council and government departments, looking at details such as zoning, land tax and transport proposals that might affect the property.

They can also help you understand your obligations under a mortgage and assist you in claiming any government grants to which you're entitled, plus represent you at the settlement when the property title – or ownership – changes hands. It's rarely necessary for you to be at the settlement yourself.

Putting your needs first 

The professionals helping you with a purchase are not there for the property, they are there for you. As their client, your needs are their priority to meet, and their obligation to fulfil. In what can be an overwhelming process at times, relying on a network of professionals to offer explanations and guidance can provide the clarity and confidence you need to take on the market and reach your goals. 


Key takeaways 

  • Having home loan experts and other professionals in your corner as a buyer can be an advantage, just as it is for sellers.
  • There are tax, legal and financial planning considerations to purchasing a home that professionals are trained to help you manage effectively.
  • Purchasing a home is a rare event for many people, but a regular one for property professionals. Being surrounded by these professionals can help ensure you’ve got all bases covered.

Here to help

To find out more about your home loan options, request a call to speak to a home loan specialist.

New clients

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (Sydney time)

13 62 27

Existing clients

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (Sydney time)

1800 007 722

Help and support

Visit our online Help Centre.

Additional information

Unless stated otherwise, this information has been prepared by Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 237502 and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for you. All applications are subject to Macquarie's standard credit approval criteria.