Start here: why this guide exists
Buying a home or an investment should feel clear, not chaotic. At AbodeFinder, we focus on outcomes you can measure.
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Save money
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Save time
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Reduce risk
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Feel confident
We keep it honest with a simple check: Fee ≤ negotiated savings + costs avoided + time value saved. If we cannot show that on paper, you should not hire us.
What a strategy-led buyer’s agency actually does
Strategy first
Before a single inspection, we get your plan straight.
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Define brief, budget, timing and must-haves
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Map trade-offs you are comfortable with
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Select target suburbs and dwelling types that match the plan
This upfront work filters out noise and keeps every step aligned with your goal.
Execution without the noise
Once the plan is set, we move fast and stay tidy.
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Curated shortlists that actually fit
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Early access and private viewings where possible
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Due diligence coordinated with your conveyancer, inspector and lender
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Negotiation run by one accountable lead
The four outcomes of a smart buy
Save money
Price is won with preparation, not luck. We use comparables that truly match the property, read vendor motivation, and set a walk-away number that holds under pressure. Value also moves in the contract.
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Settlement dates you can trade for price or inclusions
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Finance, and building and pest timed to create leverage
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Credits for priced defects, or a clean walk-away
Avoiding hidden problems is often the biggest saving of all.
Save time
Your weekends matter. We cut through the scroll.
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Tight filters remove most listings instantly
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Private viewings and fast call-backs reduce dead time
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One person coordinates the sequence so momentum never dies
Reduce risk
Risk hides in details. We bring them to the surface and price them.
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Title, easements and zoning
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Strata health, sinking fund and insurance
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Building and pest: structure, moisture, termites, drainage, roof condition
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Flood and bushfire exposure where relevant
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Clear plan for auction or private treaty so nothing is rushed
Feel confident
You get a plan you can explain to anyone. Fewer doubts. Cleaner decisions. One point of contact all the way to settlement.
The AbodeFinder ROI calculator: put numbers on value
Negotiated price saving
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Formula: purchase price × achieved discount, or the gap closed between guide and secured price
Costs avoided
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Sum: priced issues found in due diligence that were fixed, credited or avoided
Typical items we price with trades:
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Structural repairs, moisture and termite treatment
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Roof or gutter replacement
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Strata special levies and insurance gaps
Market timing and rent saved
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Market timing: purchase price × monthly growth × months brought forward
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Rent saved: weekly rent × weeks shaved off the search
Time value
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Formula: hours you did not spend × your hourly value
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Count search, calls, inspections, admin, travel and negotiation cycles
Risk expected value
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Formula: probability × cost for each event
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Examples: structural surprise, strata levy, finance fall-over fees, late settlement penalties
Worked example
Scenario: $900,000 target
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Negotiated saving 2.5% → $22,500
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Costs avoided via credits for priced defects → $20,000
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Market timing: 3 months at 0.5% per month → $13,500
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Rent saved: $800 per week × 12 weeks → $9,600
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Time saved: 60 hours × $150 per hour → $9,000
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Risk EV avoided → $5,150
Total benefit ≈ $79,750
If the fee is $15,000, net gain ≈ $64,750 and ROI ≈ 4.3×. Your numbers will differ. We document the actual inputs for every client.
Risk checklist: no surprises after settlement
Title and planning
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Easements, covenants, zoning controls
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Future works nearby and how they affect value or amenity
Strata health
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Minutes for the last 24 months
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Sinking fund balance and forecast
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Insurance coverage and claims history
Building and pest
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Structure, subfloor and roof space
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Moisture and drainage issues
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Termite activity and treatment plans
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Quotes from licensed trades so decisions are based on real prices
Flood and bushfire
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Official mapping and insurer stance
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BAL ratings where relevant and any build or compliance impacts
Off-market does not mean off-duty
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Apply the same checks and pricing discipline
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Treat privacy as an advantage, not a shortcut
Our playbook: from brief to keys
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Discovery call: goals, budget, timing, constraints
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Strategy: suburb and asset selection backed by data and ground truth
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Shortlist: real options with context and trade-offs
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Access: private viewings and early looks where possible
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Due diligence: documents and inspections with quotes attached
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Negotiation: price and terms sequenced to suit your position
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Contract to settlement: dates owned by us, updates owned by one lead
Case snapshot: what “good” looks like
Profile: time-poor professional couple, Inner West Sydney, house up to $1.1m
Outcome highlights:
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Secured at $18,700 under our walk-away number
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$14,200 in credited works after priced building and pest findings
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Search cut by 5 weeks, rent saved $4,000
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52 hours saved across inspections and admin
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Risk items caught: non-compliant deck, minor drainage fix, thin strata sinking fund on an alternate property we ruled out
Result: fee fully covered on paper before settlement, clean settlement, zero post-purchase surprises
Fees in plain English
We offer fixed, percentage and hybrid models so you can choose how you prefer to engage. Scope is clear up front, and outcomes are reported at the end with a short proof sheet:
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Negotiated saving
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Credits or costs avoided
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Hours and weeks saved
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Risk items identified and priced
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Net ROI
Are we the right fit
We are a match if you value structure and proof. We are ideal for:
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Busy professionals who want weekends back
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Buyers facing auction-heavy suburbs
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Interstate purchases that need local checks
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Complex strata or older homes where risk management matters
If you just want company at open homes, we are not the right team.
FAQs
Do I still need building and pest if the property looks new
Yes. Fresh paint can hide moisture or movement. We rely on licensed inspectors and quotes, not guesses.
How many off-market properties will I see
It varies by suburb and price. We focus on fit and speed, not volume.
How do I value my time fairly
Use your hourly rate or a sensible proxy. Include search, travel, calls, admin and negotiation cycles.
What if an issue appears after exchange
We aim to surface issues before commitment. If something emerges, we work with your conveyancer to assess options within your contract.
Can this framework be used by investors and first-home buyers
Yes. The calculator and checklist work for both. Inputs change, the method stays the same.
Call to action
Ready for a plan you can trust
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Book a free strategy call and start your brief today
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Get your ROI estimate with our calculator
We will show the dollars, hours and risks we can remove before you decide. If the value is not clear, you should not hire us.
