The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most dynamic property markets, covering coastal lifestyle suburbs, high-density investor stock, hinterland acreage, and redevelopment corridors. Because of this diversity, choosing the right buyer’s agent is crucial to navigating the unique opportunities and risks in the area. A great buyer’s agent can be the difference between a good investment and a great one.

To help you navigate this important decision, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 buyer’s agents actively servicing the Gold Coast, each with different strengths and specialisations.

1. IPS Buyer’s Agents

Best overall for: Strategy-led buyers, investors, owner-occupiers & developers

IPS Buyer’s Agents earn the top spot because they don’t treat the Gold Coast as one market. Coastal lifestyle suburbs, high-density investor stock, hinterland acreage, and redevelopment corridors all behave very differently, and IPS actively buys across all of them with a strategy-before-suburb framework. They bring a data-driven, strategy-first approach that goes beyond the typical suburb-only tunnel vision. As locals, they possess an intimate understanding of the region, from its established communities to its emerging hotspots. This deep connection allows them to provide clients with unparalleled insights, ensuring they are not just buying for today, but investing in a prosperous future, as detailed in their guide to the Top 15 Infrastructure Projects Transforming the Gold Coast (2020-2032).

About Tim Allen, Founder:

Tim Allen is a licensed buyer’s agent (Licence #4667876), a Member of REIQ (Membership #162094), and the founder of IPS Buyer’s Agents. With over 21 years in property, his extensive background includes 7+ successful property purchases, 13 years as a finance broker, and deep experience in investment-grade acquisitions. Tim specialises in helping first home buyers with risk-managed and strategy-led buying. Rather than asking “Who’s the best?”, Tim believes the better question is: “Who is best for my strategy, risk profile, and time horizon?” This philosophy underpins everything IPS Buyer’s Agents does.

A Tailored Approach for Every Buyer:

•First Home Buyers: IPS guides first-time buyers through every step of the process, from navigating finance to negotiating a great price, turning the dream of homeownership into a reality.

•Upsizers and Owner-Occupiers: Whether you’re looking for more space or a home that better suits your lifestyle, IPS takes the time to understand your unique requirements and uses their extensive network to find your forever home, ensuring a smooth transition.

•Investors: With a data-driven approach, IPS helps investors identify high-growth suburbs, analyse rental yields, and assess the long-term potential of every property to build a high-performing portfolio.

Fair and Transparent Fees:

IPS Buyer’s Agents believes in adding value, not just cost. They offer a fair and transparent fixed-fee structure, which sets them apart from the industry standard of charging a percentage of the purchase price. This means you know exactly what you’re paying from the start, with no hidden surprises. Their focus is on finding you the right property at the right price, not on maximising their commission.

Feature	IPS Buyer’s Agents	Other Agents (Industry Average)
Fee Structure	Fixed Fee	Percentage of Purchase Price (2-3%)
Transparency	Full transparency from the start	Fees can escalate with purchase price
Alignment of Interest	Focused on finding the right property at the best price	Incentive to encourage a higher purchase price
Value	Clear and predictable cost	Potential for inflated fees

Key Strengths:

•Yield + growth assessment (not just median chasing)

•Detailed due diligence: flood, zoning, future land supply

•Strong pre-market & off-market access

•Integrated finance & property management ecosystem

Particularly Strong For:

•Avoiding unit oversupply traps

•Identifying land-scarce lifestyle suburbs

•Yield + growth investor strategies

•Small development and future-value sites

Ideal for:

•Buyers who want risk management and performance, not just inspections.

2. Cohen Handler

One of Australia’s most recognisable buyer advocacy brands. Strong negotiation skills and access to premium stock, especially in higher-end coastal and waterfront markets.

3. Locate Buyers Agency

Boutique service model with a focus on lifestyle homes and discretion. Well suited to buyers who value hands-on service and targeted negotiation.

4. Queensland Property Buyers Agent

Strong local footprint and on-the-ground inspections. Works well for buyers who already know the Gold Coast and want representation and negotiation support.

5. Empower Wealth

Known for modelling and long-term portfolio strategy. Not Gold Coast-exclusive, but useful for investors who prioritise structure and sequencing.

6. Property Mavens

Research-heavy approach with strong suburb analytics. Better suited to buyers comfortable relying on macro and statistical insights.

7. Ironfish

Provides an end-to-end investment ecosystem. Best for buyers comfortable with packaged strategies rather than bespoke suburb selection.

8. Right Property Group

Strong educational focus and planning frameworks. Useful for buyers building multi-asset portfolios over time.

9. Streamline Property Buyers

Clear process and buyer education focus. Suitable for Gold Coast buyers wanting guidance through a complex market.

10. Advantage Property Advisory

Smaller advisory with a personalised approach. Best for buyers who already know what they want and need strong negotiation support.

How This List Was Compiled

This list is based on buyer-only representation, fee transparency, strategy alignment, local market knowledge, due diligence standards, and suitability for different buyer types on the Gold Coast. We’ve evaluated each agency’s track record, client feedback, and specialisation to provide you with a comprehensive guide to the top buyer’s agents operating in the region.

How to Choose the Right Buyer’s Agent on the Gold Coast

As Tim Allen, founder of IPS Buyer’s Agents, often says, instead of asking “Who’s the best?”, the better question is: “Who is best for my strategy, risk profile, and time horizon?” This is especially true in a market as diverse as the Gold Coast. It’s about finding an agent who understands why you’re buying and the specific risks and opportunities in this part of SEQ.

The Gold Coast is a game of precision. Coastal lifestyle suburbs, high-density investor stock, hinterland acreage, and redevelopment corridors all behave very differently.

Smart questions to ask any buyer’s agent:

•Are you buyer-only (no selling or hidden conflicts)?

•How do you assess which suburbs benefit from land scarcity?

•Can you show recent, verifiable purchases in my target suburbs?

•Do you factor in yield, vacancy risk, and long-term exit strategy?

•Are you suburb-led or strategy-led?

•Where do apartments make sense (and where they don’t)?

•Do you understand council zoning, height overlays, and future redevelopment risk?

•What’s your approach to exit strategies beyond the holiday-let sugar hit?

Final Perspective (Buyer’s Agent Reality)

The right buyer’s agent should help you buy well once, so you don’t have to fix mistakes later. On the Gold Coast, this means finding an agent who understands which suburbs benefit from land scarcity, where apartments make sense, council zoning and height overlays, and exit strategies beyond the holiday-let sugar hit. The right partner ensures you’re not just buying for today’s yield, but building a portfolio that performs across multiple market cycles.

The Gold Coast can deliver exceptional lifestyle appeal and strong long-term growth, but also real risks: unit oversupply, short-term letting distortions, body corporate blowouts, and hype-driven pricing. The right buyer’s agent navigates these complexities with precision and strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a buyer’s agent?

A: A buyer’s agent is a licensed professional who represents the interests of the buyer in a real estate transaction. They can help you find the right property, negotiate the best price, and navigate the buying process.

Q: Why should I use a buyer’s agent on the Gold Coast?

A: The Gold Coast property market is diverse and competitive. A buyer’s agent provides a competitive edge with access to off-market properties, expert negotiation skills, and in-depth knowledge of the local market, including unit oversupply risks, zoning overlays, and development potential.

Q: How much does a buyer’s agent cost?

A: Fees can vary, but some agents, like IPS Buyer’s Agents, offer a fixed-fee service, so you’ll know the cost upfront, providing clarity and certainty.

Your Journey to Property Success Starts Here

Choosing the right buyer’s agent is the first step towards achieving your property goals. At IPS Buyer’s Agents, we’re committed to providing our clients with the highest level of service, expertise, and support. Contact us today to find out how we can help you unlock the door to your property future on the Gold Coast.