Questions About Buying Property? Start Here.

A buyers agent represents the purchaser rather than the seller. Depending on the service, that can include building a buying strategy, searching the market, shortlisting properties, inspecting and assessing them, coordinating due diligence, negotiating with selling agents, bidding at auction and supporting the buyer through to settlement. The focus is independent advice and representation on your side of the transaction. You can read more on our Full-Service Buyers Agent page.

A selling agent is engaged by the vendor and works to achieve the best outcome for the seller. A buyers agent is engaged by the purchaser and works to protect the buyer's interests. The selling agent's price guidance and marketing is aimed at achieving a sale for the vendor, while a buyers agent provides independent assessment of value, risk and strategy for the buyer.

For many buyers it is, but not for everyone. The value usually comes from saving time, having a clear strategy, independent property assessment, evidence-based negotiation, due diligence coordination and reducing emotional decisions. Buyers who are time-poor, relocating, buying for the first time, or repeatedly missing out tend to benefit most. The best way to know is a quick conversation about your situation.

Ideally before you start actively searching or making offers, so the strategy, brief and buying criteria are clear from the start. That said, Power can also help buyers who have already found a property and need negotiation, auction bidding or due diligence support.

A buyers agent can't guarantee savings. Value can come from avoiding overpaying, stronger negotiation based on comparable sales, better property selection, avoiding unsuitable purchases, identifying risks early and saving significant time. The goal is a better overall property decision, not just a cheaper price.

Yes. If you've already found a property, Power can help with comparable sales analysis, value assessment, negotiation strategy, private treaty offers or auction bidding. This is a more focused engagement than full-service buying.

No. Power works with first home buyers, families, upgraders, investors and relocating buyers across a range of budgets. The right approach depends on your goals and circumstances, not a minimum price point.

No. Power Property Buyers provides buyer-only representation. The selling agent represents the vendor, and Power represents you, the purchaser.

Michael Jennings is the founder and owner of Power Property Buyers. He works directly with buyers across Wollongong and the Illawarra, providing buyer representation from the first strategy conversation through to settlement. You can read more on our About page.

Michael brings more than 10 years of building-industry experience, first-hand property investment experience, buyer representation, property assessment and negotiation, along with local Wollongong and Illawarra market knowledge. This combination shapes how Power assesses properties before recommending them.

A building background adds another perspective on property condition, layout, construction quality, maintenance, renovation quality, future expenditure and value-add potential. It helps look beyond fresh paint and styling. This does not replace licensed building inspections, pest reports, engineering or legal due diligence, which should still be carried out by the appropriate professionals.

Yes. Michael has built his own property portfolio, so he approaches buying decisions with his own money and understands the commercial considerations his investor clients face, including cash flow, holding costs, risk and long-term strategy.

Power intentionally works with a limited number of buyers at any one time so Michael can stay personally involved, understand each brief properly, inspect opportunities and communicate directly. You're not passed between different people.

Yes. Power provides buyer-only representation. The selling agent represents the vendor, and Power represents you, the purchaser, throughout the purchase.

Power Property Buyers is based in the Illawarra and focuses on the Wollongong and Illawarra property markets, with selected broader investment services where appropriate.

Full-service covers strategy, suburb and market research, property search across on-market, pre-market and off-market opportunities, shortlisting, inspections, property assessment, comparable sales analysis, due diligence coordination, negotiation, auction bidding where required, exchange support, final inspection and settlement support. See the Full-Service Buyers Agent page for the full breakdown.

Busy professionals, families and upgraders, first home buyers, property investors, relocating buyers and people who have been searching for months without securing the right property. It suits buyers who want an experienced representative managing the process end to end.

Timing depends on the brief, market conditions, budget, property availability and how flexible the buyer is. Some purchases move quickly, others take longer because the right property takes time to find. Power won't rush a purchase just to complete a transaction.

Yes. As part of the full-service engagement Power inspects and assesses shortlisted properties against the agreed buying strategy, looking at location, layout, condition, comparable sales and potential future costs.

Yes. Power manages communication with selling agents on the buyer's behalf, including enquiries, accessing properties and negotiation, so the buyer isn't dealing directly with the vendor's representative.

Power won't recommend a property simply to complete a transaction. The right outcome matters more than the fastest transaction. If the right property isn't available, the search continues until a property fits the strategy, budget and due diligence requirements.

Yes. Power handles private treaty negotiation and auction bidding where required, using comparable sales and a clear strategy rather than emotion.

For many first home buyers, yes. The value is in education, understanding price and value, building a clear strategy, due diligence, negotiation and confidence through a process that's often unfamiliar. It helps you make decisions with more information rather than relying on the selling agent's guidance.

Power can help shape a property strategy around your budget, preferred locations and lifestyle priorities. Borrowing capacity and affordability should be confirmed with your mortgage broker or financial professional, as Power does not provide financial advice.

Yes. Power uses comparable sales and current market evidence to assess value, rather than relying only on the selling agent's price guide.

Power uses comparable sales and an evidence-based negotiation strategy to help buyers approach price sensibly. Savings can't be guaranteed, but the aim is to avoid emotional, over-inflated offers.

Power coordinates building and pest inspections as part of due diligence. The reports themselves are carried out by licensed, independent professionals.

Power can help you understand where these considerations fit into the buying process. Eligibility and thresholds change over time, so confirm current requirements with Revenue NSW, Housing Australia, your mortgage broker or an appropriate professional. Power does not provide financial or legal advice.

Yes. Auction bidding and strategy can be part of the service, so you don't have to negotiate emotionally in a high-pressure environment.

That's common for first home buyers. Power helps structure the approach, the offer and the negotiation so you understand what's happening at each step. See the First Home Buyers page for more.

An investment buyers agent helps define the investment strategy, researches locations and markets, searches for suitable properties, assesses the asset, coordinates due diligence and negotiates the purchase. The focus is evidence-based selection rather than speculation.

Power looks at location fundamentals, property type, comparable sales, condition, tenant appeal, maintenance, future resale demand, value-add potential and risk. The aim is to understand the full asset, not one headline metric.

No. Yield is only one consideration. A high yield doesn't automatically make a property a strong investment. Property quality, location, growth potential, maintenance, resale appeal and risk all matter.

Yes. Michael's building background helps assess renovation potential, layout improvements and whether proposed works are commercially sensible. This doesn't guarantee profits, but it adds another perspective before you commit.

Power's core focus is Wollongong and the Illawarra. Selected broader investment services may be available where the strategy, service and local research support it. This is discussed during the strategy call.

No. Power provides property acquisition and buyer representation. Borrowing, tax, cash flow and financial suitability should be confirmed with your mortgage broker, accountant, financial adviser or tax professional.

Power may access pre-market and off-market opportunities through local relationships, but off-market access is never guaranteed. Off-market status also doesn't automatically mean better value, the property still needs to be assessed properly.

Yes, depending on the service. Power can help with comparable sales, value assessment and negotiation for a property you've already identified.

An off-market property is one that isn't publicly advertised on the major property portals. It may be available through agent relationships or direct vendor engagement.

Off-market means not publicly advertised at all. Pre-market means a property is being prepared to launch publicly but isn't yet listed. Both can create early access, but neither guarantees a better property.

Local relationships can create access to opportunities that may not yet appear on major portals. However, off-market access is never guaranteed and depends on what's genuinely available at the time.

No. Off-market status doesn't automatically mean a better price, a better property or a better investment. The property still needs to be assessed properly against your strategy and the market.

No. The best property for you may be on-market, pre-market or off-market. Power focuses on finding the right property based on evidence, not on chasing a particular listing status.

Fees depend on the service, location, buying brief and level of representation required. Pricing is discussed clearly during the initial strategy call so you understand the inclusions and fees before any engagement.

The fee structure is explained during the strategy call based on the service that suits your situation. Power doesn't publish invented pricing.

Yes. The initial strategy call is a free, no-obligation conversation about your goals, budget, locations, timeframe and whether Power is the right fit.

Engagement terms, including when fees are payable, are explained clearly before you sign anything. [Confirm exact engagement structure with Power Property Buyers during the strategy call.]

Yes. Third-party professional services such as building and pest inspections, strata reports, conveyancing or legal work are separate and charged by those providers.

First there's a strategy conversation to understand your brief, then Power explains the service, the inclusions, the fees and the engagement terms. You only proceed if it's the right fit for both sides.

Yes, where appropriate. If you've already found a property, Power can help with negotiation, auction bidding or due diligence as a more focused engagement.

Power focuses on Wollongong and the Illawarra, including Wollongong, North Wollongong, Thirroul, Austinmer, Bulli, Woonona, Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, Figtree, Mount Pleasant, Shellharbour, Shell Cove, Oak Flats and Kiama, along with wider Illawarra and South Coast markets where relevant.

Yes. Power provides local representation for Sydney buyers relocating to the Illawarra, including inspections, agent communication, suburb guidance and buying support on the ground.

Yes. Power can act as your local representative, inspecting properties and managing the process when you can't be there in person.

Yes. Power has local knowledge of the Northern Illawarra, including Thirroul, Austinmer, Bulli and Woonona, and how property, streets and demand vary across these suburbs.

Yes. Shellharbour, Shell Cove, Oak Flats and Kiama are part of Power's service area, along with the wider Illawarra and South Coast.

Yes. While our home market is Wollongong and the Illawarra, we source and secure investment property across all states in Australia, matching the right area and the right property to the right client. The strategy, due diligence and negotiation principles remain the same wherever we buy.

You'll have a no-obligation conversation about your goals, budget, preferred locations, property type, timeframe, current challenges and which service might suit. It's about understanding your situation, not a sales pitch.

Power builds a buyer brief and strategy, then moves into search, shortlisting, assessment, due diligence, negotiation and settlement support, keeping you informed at each stage.

It's flexible. Some buyers want regular involvement, others prefer Power to manage most of the process. The level of involvement is agreed upfront and adjusted as you go.

You do. Power provides advice, assessment and representation, but the buyer makes the ultimate purchase decision.

Once an offer is accepted, the process moves through exchange, any remaining due diligence, the final inspection and settlement. Your solicitor or conveyancer handles the legal side, with Power supporting coordination where relevant.

Yes. Power supports the buyer through to settlement, including final inspection and handover coordination, so the process stays on track.

Yes. Power coordinates with your finance and legal professionals so everyone is aligned throughout the purchase.