The People Behind
Your Negotiation

Buyers Essential isn’t a brand. It’s two people, Ben and Alistair, who personally represent every client, on every deal, start to finish.

Our Story

Most people don’t think about who’s actually on their side when they buy a property. The seller has an agent. That agent works for the seller, gets paid based on the outcome, and runs the process from a position of experience. They do this every week.

The buyer, in most cases, has none of that. They’re navigating valuations, negotiations and an overwhelming search process around a full-time job, a family, and everything else life demands, usually for the first or second time in their life.

Buyers Essential exists to close that gap.

We’re a dedicated buyer’s agency based on the Gold Coast and working across Brisbane. Recently, we’ve extended that into vendor’s advocacy too, so clients who are selling and buying at the same time have one team managing both sides of the transition. No call centre. No junior account managers. Just Ben and Alistair, on every deal, from the first conversation to the day you get the keys.

Trust and transparency aren’t a tagline here. They’re the only way the business works.

The Experts In Your Corner

Ben

Property has always been more than a job for Ben. It’s a passion. After years in sales, the moment he discovered the buyer’s agency industry, something clicked: negotiation, strategy and real estate, all in one place.

But before he could properly advocate for buyers, Ben wanted to understand the industry from the inside. So he became a licensed sales agent first, and that decision changed everything.

From inside a sales agency, Ben watched buyers navigate the biggest financial decision of their lives largely on their own, while sellers had a full team of professional representation working for them. Buyers were under-informed, under-represented, and under pressure, trying to manage valuations, negotiations and inspections around everything else life demands. The imbalance was impossible to ignore.

His first deal as a buyer’s agent is still the one that defines why he does this. A young couple, newly parents, running a growing business that left them almost no time to spare, barely able to step away from work to view homes, let alone negotiate. They had a clear picture of what they wanted and no bandwidth to chase it.

Ben found it: a 6.5-hectare property, the right location, the right layout, secured $400,000 below bank valuation.

“To this day, that deal captures exactly why I do what I do,” Ben says. “When the right person has someone genuinely fighting for them, the result speaks for itself.”

Ben now sits on the buyer’s side of every negotiation, using everything he learned from the inside of a sales agency, what agents are trained to do, what they’re under pressure to deliver, and where that leaves room to negotiate, pointed entirely at getting his clients the best outcome.

Alistair

Alistair bought his first property at 19, a small 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom semi-detached house in Southampton, England, funded by an inheritance from his late grandmother and a loan from “the bank of Mum and Dad.” He rented it to friends to help pay his way through university. He’s bought and sold property ever since.

Over 30 years, that’s meant property across England, Australia and Colombia, through most of the market cycles and conditions each of those markets has been through.

One property, in Bondi, became a hands-on lesson in development. Alistair and his wife, an architect, bought a small ground-floor unit in a block of three, intending to renovate it for the family they had planned. What followed had every twist and turn of a renovation show: building approvals, strata management, navigating council. “We learnt so much about the building process,” Alistair says. The result: a property that returned more than 30% on cost when sold, funding a move interstate to an acreage property the family is now developing as their long-term home.

These days, Alistair also co-manages a small hotel in Colombia with his brother-in-law, in the foothills of the Andes. “A whole new experience,” as he puts it.

After years climbing the corporate ladder in media and marketing, working for a few startups and increasingly at odds with how success was defined. Alistair made the leap. The personal driver was his young family: addressing work-life balance and being a more permanent fixture at home mattered more than driving metrics on someone else’s balance sheet. “The love of property has always been in my life, and I’ve benefited greatly from the opportunities it’s provided me,” he says. “Helping others grasp those same benefits felt natural.”

How We Work Together

The Reedy Creek deal is the clearest example of why this partnership works.

A property in a suburb with a $1.59M median, owned by sellers who, not unreasonably, believed comparable sales justified their position. What followed was two full days of negotiation. Not hours. Days. Morning through to evening, working through every data point, every comparable, every objection. The owners held firm. So did we.

At 7:30 PM on the second night, the contract was signed at $1.53M. Sixty thousand dollars below median, not because the owners didn’t try, but because we were more prepared, more patient, and more persistent.

That’s not a one-off. It’s the model for every deal: both founders present, both with full authority to make a call on the spot. Ben leads the negotiation and understands how the other side operates. Alistair manages the contract terms and brings three decades of market experience across very different markets.

The Reedy Creek deal is the clearest example of why this partnership works.

What We Believe

Bespoke, not departmental. Larger agencies pass clients between departments based on standard scripts. We provide one team, matched to your specific situation, whether that’s a first home, a family move, an investment, or selling and buying at the same time.

No hidden agenda. No developer deals to sell in particular properties or suburbs. No kickbacks from the brokers, conveyancers or finance companies we refer you to. If we recommend someone, it’s because they’re good at their job, not because of what we get out of it.

A different way of thinking about fees. Our fee structure is built to ensure we deliver value, not just activity.

Relentless, whoever we’re up against. Owner-direct sales and agent-run campaigns need different approaches, sometimes patience and foresight, sometimes speed and simplicity. Either way, we’re consistent and relentless in getting the best possible outcome for our client.

The Track Record

$40K

Average Savings

3 Weeks

Average to Exchange

25%

Referral Rate

100%

Personal Representation

Some clients move from first conversation to settlement in as little as 28 days. Around a quarter of our purchases are found in under two weeks, for clients who need to move fast.

A quarter of our clients refer someone they know after settlement. That’s the number we’re proudest of, because it means the support didn’t stop the day the contract was signed.

Client Results

Every Deal Tells A Story. Here Are 7 Of Them.

“They are beyond professional, attentive to the challenge of
not just finding us a house but a HOME.” – Victoria & Troy.

Victoria & Troy

$60,000 below median

Property

Reedy Creek, Gold Coast

Property Detail

4-bedroom, fully renovated, 820sqm

Savings

$60,000

Ben and Alistair came in with complete knowledge of the property, every comparable, every recent sale. Two full days of negotiation, morning through evening. By 7:30 PM on day two, the contract was signed at $1.53M.

$60,000 below the median price.

Daniella

Highland Park, 9-day Exchange, 21-day Settlement 

Property

Highland Park

Property Detail

6-bedroom house

Days to Exchange

Days to Settlement

Method

Off-Market

Savings

$50-150K

Our client needed to find a house and move in under four weeks. Never hit the public market. Off-market sourced, viewed, and contract exchanged in 9 days. Settled in 21.

Savings of $50-150K compared to what it would’ve cost if publicly listed.

Tanya

Morayfield, $50-100k Savings

Property

Moreyfield, Brisbane

Property Detail

2-bedroom investment

Days to Exchange

Savings

$50-100K

Based 4 hours from Brisbane, frustrated by her ability to find suitable properties. Off-market sourced, viewed and contract exchanged in 15 days.

Property purchased $50-100K below market value in a growth corridor. Got the investment without the stress of doing it alone from a distance.

What Clients Say

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Christina Gonzalez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a mortgage broker, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Ben and Alistair, and I genuinely cannot speak highly enough of the service they provide.

They are incredibly dedicated, hardworking, and truly care about getting the best outcome for their clients. Whether someone is buying their first home, upgrading, or building their investment portfolio, Ben and Alistair bring so much knowledge, strategy, and care to the process.

What really stands out to me is the way they take the time to understand each client’s goals, not just for the immediate purchase, but for the bigger picture too. Their investment strategies and guidance help clients make confident, well-informed decisions, which is so important in today’s market.

They work extremely hard behind the scenes to find the right opportunities, negotiate strongly, and make the whole buying journey feel clear and supported. Time and time again, I see clients thrilled with not only the properties they secure, but the experience they have along the way.

Working alongside Ben and Alistair makes the process seamless for clients from the very early stages of thinking about buying, all the way through to settlement. They are the kind of Buyers Agents I am always proud to have involved in my clients’ property journey. I would highly recommend Ben and Alistair to anyone looking for knowledgeable, strategic, hardworking, and trustworthy buyers agents!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nikita White 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My partner and I recently purchased our dream home with the help of Buyers Essential, and we honestly couldn’t be happier with the experience.
From the very beginning, Alistair and Ben were an incredible team to work with. Alistair was kind, honest, professional, and genuinely down-to-earth. We always felt that he had our best interests at heart and appreciated his straightforward advice on every property we considered. Getting his call every week for updates always put a smile on our faces.
One of the things we valued most was how involved they allowed us to be throughout the process. We could send through properties we found ourselves, ask questions or simply leave things in their capable hands.
Having someone coordinate inspections, communicate with agents, and provide honest feedback took so much of the stress out of buying a property. Their knowledge, organisation, and guidance gave us confidence in every decision we made.
Even though we came to Buyers Essential with pre-approval already in place, we ran into unexpected issues when our original lending contact left and our application was left without anyone actively managing it. Rather than letting us struggle through the process alone, Alistair and Ben stepped in and connected us with an excellent mortgage broker who got everything back on track. They also introduced us to a fantastic conveyancing team. Every person they recommended was knowledgeable, approachable, and happy to answer our many questions along the way.
What really stood out was the network of trusted professionals they have built around them. Buyers Essential truly felt like a one-stop shop for anyone looking to purchase property. Having access to experienced brokers, conveyancers, and other industry professionals made the entire journey far less stressful and much easier to navigate.
Thanks to their hard work, expertise, and support, we were able to secure the perfect home within our budget. The entire process felt smooth, transparent, and genuinely enjoyable.
Whether you’re buying your first property or have purchased before, I would highly recommend Buyers Essential. We will absolutely be using them again for our next purchase and would not hesitate to recommend them to family and friends.
10/10 service – thank you, Alistair and Ben, for helping us secure our dream home!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Victoria Newton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were very optimistic about a Buyers Agent and why should we have to pay for buying a house. Well Ben totally changed these thoughts, he is beyond professional, attentive to the challenge of not just finding us a house but a HOME! He listens to understand and not to respond which is a fantastic attribute to have as a Buyers Agent. Thank you for making our Gold Coast purchase better than we thought  it could be after 4 months of looking. You are determined and focussed and run a very professional and committed business and you should be so proud!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Craig McCallum 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ben was an absolute pleasure to work with. This was our first transaction together, and I can confidently say it won’t be our last.

Throughout the negotiation process, Ben provided clear, factual, and transparent communication, which helped make the transaction smooth, efficient, and stress-free for everyone involved. His professionalism and collaborative approach ensured that all parties remained informed and aligned every step of the way.

Having worked on the sales side himself, Ben has a strong understanding of what is important to both buyers and sellers. This unique perspective allows him to navigate transactions effectively and help achieve positive outcomes while maintaining strong relationships between all parties.

I would highly recommend Ben to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and results-driven buyers agent.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Tristan Leek 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As first home buyers, we had a very specific and strict set of criteria when searching for our home, and Ben made the entire process feel so much less overwhelming. From the beginning, Ben was knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping us find the right property.

A special mention also goes to Ofer, who attended inspections with us and helped identify any potential red flags we may not have noticed ourselves. Having that extra level of experience and guidance during inspections gave us so much confidence throughout the process.

Together, along with Al, they made an incredible team. Communication was excellent, they always made time for our questions, and they handled the entire process seamlessly from start to finish. 5 stars!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Stephen Callway 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Buyers Essential delivered an exceptional level of service. Their market knowledge, professionalism, and attention to detail were first class, and they made the entire buying process seamless from start to finish.

They were proactive, strategic, and genuinely focused on achieving the best outcome for us. We felt supported at every stage and had complete confidence in their advice, due diligence, and negotiation approach.

Highly recommend Buyers Essential to anyone wanting a trusted, high-quality buyer’s agent experience.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Janine J 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience with Ben and Alistair from Buyers Essential. When your brief is basically “buy us a house, townhouse or apartment!” you need calm, capable people — and that’s exactly what we got.
From day one, they made everything feel manageable. They took the time to really understand what we wanted, clearly explained each step of the process, and guided us without ever making us feel pressured. Ben’s market knowledge, negotiation skills and attention to detail were outstanding — and we’re absolutely thrilled with the property we secured.
What really impressed us was their commitment. Ben was available whenever we needed him — even on Christmas Eve — juggling negotiations across multiple properties, and we always felt like their top priority. He walked us through the negotiation strategy step by step, gave us smart, considered advice, and made sure we were always in the driver’s seat.
Most of all, they’re just genuinely good people — no ego, no hype, just honest advice, strong advocacy… and we even had some fun along the way.
If you’re buying an investment property, you want them in your corner. We’d work with them again in a heartbeat.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nick De Wit 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ben and Alistair at Buyers Essential were outstanding throughout our entire property purchase journey. They guided us through the process, attended open homes with us and on our behalf, and provided clear, practical advice on property defects, easements, overlays, values and overall condition so we always knew exactly what we were buying. Their knowledge, attention to detail, and genuine commitment gave us complete confidence at each stage.   We also made some great mates through the process. I would absolutely recommend Ben and Alistair to anyone looking to buy or sell property.
Thanks guys 🙏🏻🙏🏻🍾
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   jo ellis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We engaged buyers essential with criteria that seemed monumental. We were looking for a 'unicorn'. With passion and enthusiasm, Ben accepted the challenge.  Always available, good communication and detailed property presentations throughout the process.  Highly reccomend.  They go above and beyond.
We are now happy owners of our 🦄
Thanks Ben and team !
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Melissa Mellifont 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely loved our experience with Ben. He was clear, prompt and went above and beyond to ensure we had the info we needed. So happy to be settled and highly recommend him