Downsizers

Your Journey, Your Trusted Melbourne Buyer’s Advocates

How a buyer’s agent help you as a Downsizers

The journey of purchasing a property, as many Downsizers can attest, is very time-consuming. Prior to engaging a buyer’s agent, a significant portion of our clients share that they have spent over six months attending property opens and participating in unsuccessful auctions. Some of the key areas that help you are:

A buyer’s agent streamlines the buying process

They save you time by presenting only the most suitable properties based on your preferences,

Reduces information overload, stress and burnout

Manage all the property due diligence on your behalf giving you confidence on a sound property to purchase

Manage the auction day and negotiations

The use of a buyer’s agent can condense this process to just a few months.

Why use Elite

We specialise as a Melbourne buyers agent for Downsizers

A buyer’s agent streamlines the buying process by presenting only the most suitable properties based on your preferences, eliminating information overload and saving you time.

We are Melbourne property market specialists
We are reputable, trusted and experienced
We buy properties with capital growth
We predominately buy houses for clients
We use specialised data and research to help make decisions
We are connected to all major real estate partners
We can provide unprecedented off-market property options
We have the testimonials and experience to help you
We use our ‘buy side’ process to help find the right property
We are above all ‘we’re on your side’ leading property purchase strategy

Our process is simple

Elite Buyer Agents are here to help you in the often overwhelming experience of buying your first home.

Need a property?

We will listen in details about your property requirements and goals you are trying to achieve. After learning about your needs, we create a plan/strategy for your property success.

Search for properties

Many properties are publicly advertised for sale, many are not. Approximately 20% of the properties that we purchase are Off Market. Our Buyer Agents have extensive Real Estate Networks to give you access to more properties than those simply advertised on the internet.

Research & value

Once a suitable property has beed identified, we will conduct due diligence and ax extensive report which includes an appraisal of the property’s market value. A property negotiation should never commence without this step being completed thoroughly.

Negotiate & deliver

Our team implements tough negotiation strategies, putting you in the “Box Seat” to secure the property. Whether it’s at Auction, negotiated before Auction or Private Sale, we strive to get you best possible price.

What our clients say

    
 
 
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   Dafna Kronental 
 
 
 
  It was an absolute pleasure working with Kim. She and her team supported me every step of the way in purchasing my ideal home. Kim's expertise and industry relationships were invaluable throughout the process. Her up-to-date understanding of the market, strong negotiation skills, and active involvement from start to finish ultimately saved me significant time and money. I felt supported and informed at every stage. Thank you, Kim!
  
 
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   Kameliya Marinkova 
 
 
 
  We had absolutely the best experience recently using Elite Buyer Agents for our purchase in VIC from interstate. Lisa was very approachable, professional and thorough throughout the whole process. Her advice was very valuable and she was always available to answer all of our questions and we had many of them. Tia was also super prompt and kept us updated the whole time. We believe we managed to secure a quality property thanks to Lisa's extensive knowledge of the market and her real estate experience. We would recommend Elite Buyer Agents 100%. Many thanks!
  
 
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   Harvey Ng 
 
 
 
  I recently engaged Kim to assist with purchasing a property at auction, and the experience was outstanding. Hermarket knowledge, calm strategy, and confident bidding made the entire process smooth and stress‑free. She took the time to understand exactly what I wanted, provided clear guidance throughout, and ultimately secured the property at a price I was very happy with. I couldn’t be more pleased with the result and highly recommend her services to anyone navigating the competitive Melbourne auction scene.
  
 
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   Nicholas Serafini 
 
 
 
  Kim was excellent - it took a couple of months and then she came through with the goods. A house that ticked all our boxes, right before it went online and launched into its campaign. It's a long term house for us, fantastic result. Kim's communication was great, she viewed properties on our behalf when we couldn't make it and helped through the whole process once offer was accepted. Trust the process and enjoy the ride!
  
 
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   E T 
 
 
 
  Very happy with my experience working with Elite Buyer Agents. They were very experienced, responsive and also just great and trustworthy people. I’ve already recommended Elite Buyer Agents to others based on my experience!
  
 
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   Desira H 
 
 
 
  We couldn’t imagine going through this journey without Dave and the EBA team. We were introduced to Dave through a friend he had previously helped secure their property, and now we completely understand why he came so highly recommended. As first-home buyers, his guidance and experience were invaluable. Our journey took about a year because it included a four-month pause due to a government regulation change affecting PR buyers. Dave was incredibly understanding during this time and didn’t impose any additional fees despite the delay. Throughout the process we were also deciding between buying a ready-to-move-in home or an older property for a knockdown rebuild. Dave was patient while we worked through our options and shared insights that we simply wouldn’t have known ourselves, which likely saved us from costly mistakes. He also handled the auction bidding with a clear strategy that only an experienced professional would know. We’re so grateful for his help in securing our first home in Mount Waverley. If we ever buy again in the future, we would absolutely work with Dave again — worth every dollar.
  
 
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   James Hamilton 
 
 
 
  Very happy with the level of service and expertise. David had a way of presenting and explaining the information and his thoughts on potential properties that allowed us to move quickly and hassle free from the outset. We would highly recommend Elite Buyer Agents!
  
 
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   Sarah Sun 
 
 
 
  We had a great experience with David and Vicky on our first investment property in VIC. I was referred to this company by a friend, who said they had received a lot of positive feedback across Australia. Vicky was very supportive and professional, and she provided great off-market opportunities. She did a great job and helped us find a very good property within a very short period of time. We look forward to working with them again.
  
 
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   Warren Power-Jones 
 
 
 
  David was excellent. No BS, just expert judgement and guidance which helped us select and close on our investment quickly.
  
 
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   Kate Henson 
 
 
 
  Lisa O'Connor is my fairy godmother. Whilst I was overseas, she gave me all the information I needed to make informed decisions, provided reassurance that everything was covered off and, most importantly, made sure I had peace of mind when I didn't have the time or energy to do any of the necessary work myself. If I had been in the country, I doubt I would have considered engaging Lisa as my agent. However, that would have been a mistake as I would definitely have missed out. It's not just the assistance with the process, it's Lisa's inside knowledge and contacts. Well worth it. Thanks!

Factors to Consider When You Are a Downsizer

Buyer Advocates vs. Real Estate Agents

Do I really need a buyer advocate?

Not everyone does — but for downsizers, the stakes are high. You’re likely selling your largest asset and buying your next home at the same time. A buyer advocate removes the guesswork, handles negotiations on your behalf, and gives you access to off-market properties you won’t find on realestate.com.au. If you find auctions stressful or simply don’t have the time to search properly, engaging an advocate pays for itself.

How much does a buyer advocate cost?

Fees vary depending on the service and property price. At Elite Buyer Agents, we charge either a flat fee or a percentage-based fee — typically between 1.1% and 2.2% including GST. A portion is paid upfront as an engagement fee, with the balance due 14 days after a contract of sale is signed. We’ll always outline costs clearly before you commit.

Can I trust a real estate agent's price guide?

Treat it as a starting point, not a reliable figure. Underquoting is common in Melbourne, and properties routinely sell above their advertised guide — sometimes significantly. Our team assesses true market value independently, so you know exactly what a property is worth before you make a move.

How do I know if a buyer advocate is truly independent?

Ask them directly whether they receive any referral fees or commissions from developers, vendors, or third parties. A genuinely independent advocate works solely for you. At Elite Buyer Agents, we are 100% buyer-side — we have no financial relationship with selling agents or developers.

Timing & Finance

Should I buy first or sell first?

There’s no universal right answer — it depends on your financial position and risk tolerance. Selling first gives you certainty on your budget and eliminates the risk of holding two properties, but it can mean you’re under pressure to buy quickly. Buying first means you won’t be rushed into the wrong home, but you’ll need bridging finance or a long settlement if your property hasn’t sold. We help you map out both scenarios before you commit to either.

What is a simultaneous settlement?

It’s where both your sale and purchase contracts are structured to settle on the same day. Done well, it means you move once and avoid the cost and disruption of temporary accommodation. It requires careful coordination between your conveyancer, both agents, and the banks — which is exactly the kind of complexity we manage for our clients.

How does bridging finance work?

Bridging finance is a short-term loan that covers the gap between buying your new property and receiving the proceeds from your sale. It allows you to hold two properties temporarily, but interest rates are higher than a standard mortgage and it can be costly if your home takes longer to sell than expected. Speak to a mortgage broker before assuming this is the right path for your situation.

Can I put my sale proceeds into super?

Yes — if you’re eligible, the Australian Government’s Downsizer Contribution scheme allows you to contribute up to $300,000 per person (or $600,000 per couple) from the sale of your family home into superannuation. You must be 55 or older and

Strata & Property Types

What do strata or owners corporation fees cover?

Strata fees (also called owners corporation fees in Victoria) typically cover building insurance, maintenance of common areas, shared amenities such as lifts, gardens, pools, and gyms, and a sinking fund for future capital works. The amount varies significantly between buildings — always review the owners corporation certificate and financials before purchasing.

Can strata rules restrict or ban my pet?

Yes. Owners corporation rules (bylaws) can limit pet sizes, breeds, or prohibit pets entirely. Some buildings are genuinely pet-friendly; others are not. If keeping a pet matters to you, this is a non-negotiable due diligence item — we check this as part of our standard property assessment.

What is a special levy?

A special levy is an additional, unplanned fee charged to all owners in a strata building to fund major repairs or urgent works — such as cladding rectification, lift replacement, or structural repairs. These can run into thousands of dollars and aren’t always foreseeable. Reviewing the building’s maintenance history and sinking fund balance before you buy is essential. This is part of the due diligence we conduct on your behalf.

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Meet our team

Specialists in the Melbourne Property Market, Elite Buyer Agents are the leading Buyers Agent in Melbourne (otherwise known as Buyers Advocate) and have fostered trusting and professional relationships across multiple locations in Australia.