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Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about MURRAY LEE, our buyer’s agent services and what to expect when working with us.

The precise services, authority, fees and responsibilities of each engagement are set out in the Buyer’s Agency Agreement.

About MURRAY LEE

What does a buyer’s agent do?

A buyer’s agent is engaged to represent the buyer in a property transaction.

Depending on the agreed service, this may include defining the Buyer Brief, searching and shortlisting properties, attending inspections, analysing market evidence, coordinating due diligence, negotiating with the selling agent and bidding at auction.

Under a Buyer’s Agency Agreement, MURRAY LEE acts for the buyer—not the vendor.

Who does the selling agent represent?

The selling agent is appointed by the vendor to market the property, manage the sales process and work towards an outcome acceptable to the vendor.

Under our buyer’s agency services, MURRAY LEE is appointed and paid by the buyer.. Our advice and strategy are guided by your objectives, budget, intended use and agreed risk boundaries.

The selling agent acts for the vendor. When appointed as your buyer’s agent, we act for you.

What makes MURRAY LEE different?

MURRAY LEE combines established selling-agent relationships with senior real estate sales leadership experience.

Co-Founder Michael Murray is a former National Sales Director at McGrath, where he had responsibility across 27 company-owned offices. He also has more than 20 years of experience in real estate sales, leadership and training.

This background gives MURRAY LEE a deeper understanding of how selling agents manage vendors, test the market, assess buyers, create competition and progress transactions.

We apply that experience to help buyers understand the context behind the deal and negotiate with greater clarity and strategy.

What property types and areas do you cover?

MURRAY LEE represents buyers acquiring:

  • residential property;

  • industrial and warehouse property;

  • land; and

  • selected commercial property.

Our primary market is Sydney. We may also assist in other agreed New South Wales markets, depending on the property type, client brief and level of local coverage required.

We confirm the geographic and service scope before accepting an engagement.

Our Services

Can you help if I have already found a property?

Yes.

Our Target Property Negotiation & Auction Bidding service is designed for buyers who have already identified a property and require professional assistance with analysis, pricing strategy, negotiation or auction bidding.

Depending on the engagement, we may assist with reviewing the property and sales process, analysing relevant market evidence, considering the available transaction context, establishing a price framework and representing you in negotiations or at auction.

What is included in Full Search & Acquisition?

Our Full Search & Acquisition service supports buyers from initial strategy and property search through to exchange of contracts.

Depending on the agreed scope, the service may include:

  • developing the Buyer Brief;

  • searching publicly listed, pre-market and selected off-market opportunities;

  • contacting selling agents;

  • shortlisting and inspecting properties;

  • analysing market evidence and relevant transaction information;

  • coordinating independent due diligence;

  • negotiating privately or bidding at auction; and

  • assisting with the transaction through to exchange of contracts.

Do you represent buyers at auction?

Yes.

Auction bidding may form part of either service, subject to the Buyer’s Agency Agreement.

Before the auction, we discuss the available property and campaign information, agree on the bidding strategy and confirm the maximum authorised price.

We represent the buyer within that authority and do not exceed the approved limit without the buyer’s express written instructions.

Do you assist interstate, overseas and Chinese-speaking buyers?

Yes.

Within the agreed service scope, we can assist interstate and overseas buyers with local inspections, photographs and video, property reporting, selling-agent communication, due diligence coordination, negotiation and auction bidding.

Chinese-speaking clients may discuss their family or business requirements, investment objectives, budget and risk boundaries with us in Mandarin or Cantonese.

Those requirements are then carried through the local Sydney search, assessment and acquisition process.

Property Opportunities

Can MURRAY LEE access off-market properties?

Through our selling-agent relationships, we actively monitor publicly listed, pre-market and selected off-market opportunities.

No buyer’s agent can guarantee access to a particular off-market property. Availability depends on the vendor, selling agent, location, timing and the buyer’s requirements.

We assess each opportunity against your Buyer Brief rather than send properties simply to create volume.

Earlier access provides more time and choice—not a reason to rush.

Does off-market mean better value?

Not necessarily.

A property may be offered off-market for privacy, timing, convenience or to test buyer interest before a public campaign.

It may still be priced strongly or attract competition from other buyers.

Off-market describes how the opportunity is introduced. It does not automatically mean that the property is more suitable, less risky or better priced.

Every opportunity still needs to be assessed on its own merits.

Property Analysis and Negotiation

How do you assess a property and its price?

We consider the evidence relevant to the property and market, which may include comparable sales, property condition, location, market conditions, available campaign feedback and the buyer’s intended use or investment objectives.

We then provide a buying framework, including a recommended price position and an agreed walk-away boundary where appropriate.

This is market analysis and buying advice. It is not a formal valuation, which should be prepared by a suitably qualified independent valuer.

What transaction background do you consider?

For each property you seriously consider, we seek relevant information about the vendor, sales campaign, selling-agent approach, market response and buyer interest, where reasonably available.

We consider that information alongside the property evidence and comparable sales when developing the buying and negotiation strategy.

The amount and reliability of information available will vary between transactions.

Our value lies not only in accessing information, but in interpreting it from the buyer’s perspective.

What does strategic negotiation involve?

We combine the property analysis, available transaction context and your objectives to establish a clear price and negotiation framework.

Depending on the transaction, we may advise on the timing and structure of the offer, price positioning, relevant terms, pre-auction negotiation or auction bidding.

The strategy is tailored to the particular property and sales process rather than following a standard formula.

What happens if you believe I should not buy the property?

We will explain our concerns clearly.

We may recommend that you pause or walk away where:

  • the property does not meet the agreed Buyer Brief;

  • material risks cannot be reasonably managed;

  • important matters remain unresolved;

  • the price no longer has a defensible basis; or

  • the terms are materially unfavourable to the buyer.

Our role is not to push a client towards the next available transaction.

Our objective is to help you buy the right property, at a defensible price and on appropriate terms.

Fees, Engagement and Compliance

How are your fees structured, and when does the service end?

MURRAY LEE offers two principal service structures:

Target Property Negotiation & Auction Bidding is generally charged as a fixed service fee.

Full Search & Acquisition is generally charged on a percentage-based fee structure.

Both services conclude at exchange of contracts.

The exact service scope, fee, GST treatment, payment terms and any exclusions are confirmed in the Buyer’s Agency Agreement before the engagement begins.

Why do I need to sign a Buyer’s Agency Agreement?

The Buyer’s Agency Agreement formally appoints MURRAY LEE to act for you and records the terms of the engagement.

It confirms matters including:

  • the agreed service;

  • the property brief or target-property scope;

  • our authority to communicate, negotiate or bid;

  • fees and payment terms;

  • the responsibilities of both parties; and

  • the completion point at exchange of contracts.

We explain the service scope and agreement before it is signed.

What is an AML/CTF Check?

An AML/CTF Check is a customer identification and verification process completed as part of our client onboarding.

The information required will depend on whether the client is an individual, company, trust, SMSF or another type of entity.

We will guide you through the required process using a separate secure verification method.

Please do not send passports, driver licences or other identity documents through the general website form, WhatsApp or WeChat.

The AML/CTF Check is a standard compliance requirement and does not imply any personal suspicion or allegation.

Do you provide legal, tax, finance, planning or valuation advice?

No.

MURRAY LEE provides buyer’s agency and transaction coordination services. We do not replace independent legal, finance, tax, valuation, building, planning, environmental or other specialist advice.

Where a matter requires specialist review, we can help identify the relevant professional area and coordinate the process within the agreed service scope.

The independent advice remains the responsibility of the appropriately qualified professional.

Contacting MURRAY LEE

How do I get started?

You can add MURRAY LEE on WhatsApp or WeChat, or complete the enquiry form on our Contact page.

If you are still searching, it is helpful to provide a brief outline of your preferred property type, target areas, budget, intended use and expected timeframe.

If you have already identified a property, please send us the address, listing link or Information Memorandum, together with any relevant timing information.

We will contact you to discuss your requirements, explain the available service options and determine whether we are the right fit for your purchase.

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