Why savvy buyers on the Gold Coast and Northern NSW use a buyers agent — and what to look for in one

It's a question worth answering clearly, because the confusion costs buyers money every single day.

A selling agent (the one with the sign out front) is legally obligated to act in the vendor's best interest. Their job is to get the highest possible price for the seller. They are skilled, professional, and well-resourced — and they are not on your side.

A buyers agent is the opposite. They represent you — and only you — throughout the entire purchase process. They search, shortlist, inspect, conduct due diligence, negotiate, and manage every step of the transaction with one clear objective: the best possible property for you, at the best possible price, on the best possible terms.

“I work for the buyer. Never the vendor. That single fact changes every conversation, every negotiation, and every outcome.” — Oscar Lewis, Buyers Agent · Cohen Handler Gold Coast

In a market as competitive as the Gold Coast — where selling agents are polished, experienced, and negotiating multiple deals a week — having your own expert at the table isn't just reassuring. It's a genuine strategic advantage.

This corridor — stretching from the southern suburbs of Brisbane all the way to Coolangatta on the Queensland–New South Wales border, and continuing south through Kingscliff, Pottsville, and Byron Bay — remains one of the most searched property regions in Australia. Strong interstate migration from Sydney and Melbourne, a genuine lifestyle appeal, and a chronic undersupply of quality stock have kept competition fierce across the region.

What makes this market particularly tricky for unrepresented buyers is the volume of off-market and pre-market activity. Properties change hands quietly — between agents and their trusted buyer contacts — before a listing ever appears on Domain or realestate.com.au. Without those relationships, you're only ever seeing part of what's available.

As part of Cohen Handler — Australia's most established buyers agency — About Oscar Lewis brings national-level infrastructure to a deeply local market: over $8 billion in purchases completed, 3,000+ properties secured, and 72% of those acquired off or pre-market.

There's a common misconception that buyers agents are only for high-end purchases or cashed-up investors. The reality is quite different. A buyers agent gives any buyer — at any price point — the same professional representation that sellers have had for decades.

You wouldn't negotiate a commercial contract without a lawyer. Buying property without a buyers agent means being the only unrepresented party in a transaction where the other side is a professional negotiator.

The clients we work with span every stage of the property journey:

The playing field has always been tilted toward the seller. A buyers agent tilts it back.

The Gold Coast stretches from the southern suburbs of Brisbane all the way down to Coolangatta on the Queensland–New South Wales border. It's one of the most geographically diverse property markets in Australia — from hinterland acreage and canal-front homes to high-rise beachside apartments and quiet suburban streets. No two neighbourhoods behave the same way, and local knowledge across the whole region is what separates a good result from a great one.

South of the border, Northern NSW is its own market entirely — with distinct council planning rules, different stamp duty considerations, and a buyer profile that's increasingly sophisticated. The Tweed Coast draws buyers who want the Gold Coast lifestyle with a Northern NSW feel. Byron Bay and Ballina attract a different buyer again.

We work wherever you want to buy across this corridor. And because we operate on both sides of the state border every day, we understand the nuances that a single-state agent simply won't.

If you have a suburb in mind, the answer is almost certainly yes — we know it, we have agent relationships there, and we've helped clients buy in it. If you're still working out where to buy, that's exactly the conversation we start with.

“Oscar worked tirelessly to secure our dream retirement home. He is compassionate, understanding, and patient. His problem-solving and negotiation skills are unsurpassed, and no hurdle in the contractual process is too big for him to overcome. The real estate market can be a tricky minefield to navigate, but it's reassuring to know that Oscar is by your side every step of the way. For him, this isn't just business — he takes your happiness personally.”

“Oscar ensured that the process was seamless and that we purchased the right property in a rapidly changing market. He went the extra mile, always made himself available and provided regular updates throughout. I would strongly recommend him to anyone considering purchasing.”

“We engaged Oscar as our buyers agent to navigate the market with his knowledge and expertise. We are time poor with three kids and work commitments — having him do all of the leg work for us whilst being kept in the loop was ideal. From the first phone consultation to contract exchange — it was all done and dusted in 1 week.”

Tell me what you're looking for. I'll tell you what's possible — and what's quietly available right now.

No obligation. Just a straight conversation about your goals and how I can help you get there.

Book a confidential chat or call Oscar directly on 0435 091 000.