A broker. Maybe a solicitor their cousin recommended. That's it.
Then they wonder why the process feels reactive - chasing documents, missing deadlines, finding out about a tax implication •after• settlement.
Property is a team sport. Here's who's actually on the field, and what each one is there to do:
• The broker - structures the loan around your life, not just the lender's checklist. Negotiates with the bank, manages the application, and (under best-interest duty) recommends what's right for you - not what pays the most.
• The accountant - tells you what the loan, the property and the ownership structure mean for tax, cash flow and your bigger financial picture. Critical if you're self-employed, buying as an investor, or holding property in a trust or SMSF.
• The solicitor or conveyancer - reviews the contract before you sign, flags risks in the s.149 certificate, handles the exchange, and gets you to settlement without nasty surprises. The cheapest one is rarely the best one.
• The buyer's agent - optional, but powerful for time-poor buyers or anyone chasing a specific suburb or property type. They source, shortlist, inspect and negotiate so you're not making emotional decisions at a Saturday auction.
The pattern we see again and again: clients who assemble this team before they find the property move faster, negotiate harder, and avoid the expensive mistakes. Clients who build it on the fly tend to settle for what's available rather than what's right.
The takeaway: Don't wait until you've found "the one" to build your team. The team is what helps you recognise "the one" - and walk away from the four that weren't.
My Mortgage Concierge is licensed under ACL 392736 Sattout Accounting Services Pty Ltd. General information only - seek personal advice before acting.
