What Kind Of People Use Your Service?

Its a mixture. Sometimes it’s locals who are upsizing or downsizing. Mostly I help people who are moving from the cities and want to live in a lifestyle destination like the Byron Shire. Some people are planning their next five to ten-year move. They don’t know the area well or they’re time poor or they need some deep local knowledge before making a major decision like this.

What’s The Main Reason People Hire A Property Buyer’s Agent?

It is different reasons for different people. Probably the main reason is for people who are time poor or not able to be in the area while they’re looking. They need a long term local who knows the area well. Some people find the process of buying property quite difficult and adversarial and they want somebody to handle it for them. Some people want to feel that they are buying with certainty so that they have got experience and knowledge upfront for them. So there are various reasons why people would use a buyer’s agent but that’s the main one; people can buy with certainty when they use someone who knows the area and the process

What Are The Different Types Of Properties You Help People Buy?

We service the whole Northern Rivers area. We have also been south to Yamba and Coffs Harbour more than a few times. I do homes, units, and commercial.

Can You Buy Off-Market?

I do about 20 – 25 percent of my purchases off-market. There are many reasons why a property is off-market. IT varies a bit depending on what the wider market is doing. Some people want privacy and not have too many strangers coming through their house. I also have people who want something specific and since I’ve been doing this for 20 years, I know a lot of properties. I know a lot of owners who I know they may be sellers / they may not, but when I have got something specific, I can go directly to an owner and say are you interested in talking to a potential buyer.

How Does The Process Work?

When you contact me and you’re interested in engaging me, I send you my agreement. I need a $2500 engagement fee before I start. The commission is payable at contract exchange and is between 1-2% pf the purchase price – minus the engagement fee. It can take anything from a few weeks to 6 – 9 months. That is fine. I help you make a decision so it usually does not drift out too far into the future.

Changes Afoot

January 29th, 2026

2026 is looking to be a big year for Byron Property Search. My wife, Susanna Carman, and I will be heading off overseas for an extended trip. Susanna will be conducting research for a PhD at UTS (University Technology Sydney), and the research will be documentary-led. Prior to becoming a property buyer’s agent, I spent many years as a documentary TV producer/director, so it is interesting for me to be returning to this after so long away.

The Future of BPS

I can explain more about the project at the end of this article, but mainly, I want to let you know that this is not the end of BPS, but a new beginning. In this newsletter, I want to introduce you to my new associate, Mark Errichiello and his wife, Michelle, who is also a real estate professional. Mark and Michelle have made a wise choice by moving their family from Melbourne to the Byron Shire.

Mark and Michelle bring a wealth of experience, and together they are an excellent fit for BPS as it expands and grows into the next decade. I will let Mark and Michelle introduce themselves in the article that follows. I am still keen to work with my existing clients while away and will still be contactable online.

What The Future

My overseas trip is not really a holiday. I will be helping my wife, Susanna, with her research by producing an accompanying documentary. As many regular readers would know, I have always been interested in innovative or alternative housing models. The research and the accompanying documentary called What The Future will focus on successful and enduring communities around the world. We leave in a few weeks and will be travelling for just over six months.

My wife Susanna’s work as a Design Leadership Consultant involves helping organisations and businesses resolve complex problems. Before I became a buyer’s agent, I spent 20 years in the film and TV industry. You can learn more about What The Future here. If you are local and want to support the project, you are welcome to attend our Bon Voyage party at Stone and Wood on February 11. You can get tickets here.

So this will be the last BPS newsletter I host for a while, but Mark will be sending you info and news himself while I am away. I am very happy that BPS is in good hands during my absence with Mark and Michelle, and that all my present and future clients will still be well looked after. I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2026.

One Reply to “Changes Afoot”

Laila Bell says:

February 3, 2026 at 8:14 am

All the best Michael! What an exciting new journey you and your beloved will be on! Hopefully the work you guys will be making will be shown to the public when it’s completed. Take care. Laila 😊

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Changes Afoot

The Future of BPS

What The Future

One Reply to “Changes Afoot”

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Real Estate Buyers Agent

BYRON BAY | BALLINA | LISMORE | OCEAN SHORES

Since 1999

$310 mil

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