Articles and guides
Practical, honest guidance for Australian property buyers. Written by the Solva team.
Choosing an agent
How to choose a buyer's agent in Australia
What to check, what to ask, and how to compare buyer's agents so you hire someone who genuinely works for you.
Read guide (13 min)Fees and costs
Buyer's agent fees explained: fixed vs percentage vs hybrid
The three fee models, what they cost, when each one wins, and how to negotiate a fair deal.
Read guide (11 min)Investing
Interstate property buying: a complete guide for Sydney to Brisbane investors
How Australian investors buy property in another state with confidence: market comparisons, remote due diligence, stamp duty by state and settlement logistics.
Read guide (16 min)Buying
The expat returner’s guide to buying property in Australia
How returning Australian expats buy property from offshore: FIRB rules, lender attitudes, deposit and currency planning, timing the return and avoiding tax pitfalls.
Read guide (12 min)Buying process
Investment property due diligence: what a buyer's agent does for you
The financial, physical, legal and market checks that protect you before you sign, and how a buyer's agent runs each one.
Read guide (13 min)For buyers
First home buyers: when does a buyer's agent make sense?
A balanced look at when a buyer's agent earns their fee for a first home buyer, and when you are better off going it alone.
Read guide (10 min)Buying basics
Buyer's agent vs real estate agent: who works for whom?
A selling agent works for the seller. A buyer's agent works for you. Here is what that difference means in practice.
Read guide (9 min)Buying process
Off-market property: how buyer's agents find what is not listed
How buyer's agents access property that never appears on a portal, and how to tell a genuine off-market opportunity from a quiet one.
Read guide (11 min)Buying process
Negotiating a property purchase: how buyer's agents add value
The principles, tactics and emotional discipline behind a strong property negotiation, and how a buyer's agent runs it on your behalf.
Read guide (12 min)For buyers
Buyer's agent red flags: how to spot a bad one
The clearest warning signs that a buyer's agent will cost you money, and a checklist of questions to weed out the bad ones.
Read guide (11 min)