Finding the right buyer's agent shouldn't feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most buyers start with a search engine, open a dozen agency websites, and try to work out which of them actually buys in their suburbs, at their budget, for someone in their situation.
GoMatch is PropertyGo's free matching service for property buyers. You tell us what and where you're buying, and we shortlist up to three buyer's agencies whose profiles fit that brief. This article explains exactly how it works, how the shortlist is chosen, and what GoMatch does not do.
The Traditional Agent Search Problem
1. The Research Rabbit Hole
Agency websites are written to sell. Phrases like "top performer" or "award-winning" are common, and they tell you very little about whether an agency is right for your purchase. Reviews are spread across Google, social media and the agencies' own sites, which makes a fair comparison slow.
2. The Expertise Guessing Game
Australia's property market is diverse. An agency that knows Melbourne's inner suburbs well might rarely buy in the outer growth corridors, and one that focuses on investors might not be the best fit for a first home. The gaps buyers most often find too late are:
- Location: the agency doesn't service the state or area you're buying in
- Property focus: investment work versus owner-occupier purchases
- Services: a full search when you only wanted help at auction, or the reverse
- Price range: an agency used to a very different budget
How GoMatch Works
Step 1: Tell us what you're buying
Three short questions: your goal, the type of property and your budget. Each one is optional, and each helps narrow the shortlist.
Step 2: Tell us where
Choose the state you're buying in and add the suburbs and anything else an agency should know. The state matters most: GoMatch only shortlists agencies that service it.
Step 3: See who matches
Before we ask for your email, you see the agencies that fit your brief on screen, with their Google rating and where they're based. You can go back and change your brief if the list doesn't look right.
Step 4: Confirm your email
Nothing is sent until you click the confirmation link we email you. Only then does your brief go to the agencies on your shortlist.
Step 5: Compare and choose
Talk to as many of the agencies as you like, engage one, or none. Every agency on PropertyGo also has a public profile with its Google reviews and a contact card, so you can call, visit their website or send a message directly.
How the Shortlist Is Chosen
GoMatch compares your brief with the profile of every agency that services your state, in this order:
- Your state, and your area where we know it. An agency that does not service your state is never shortlisted, even if that leaves you with one or two agencies rather than three.
- Fit with what you're buying. The property focus and services an agency lists, such as investment purchases, first homes or auction bidding.
- Relevant experience described on the agency's profile.
- Whether the agency is active on PropertyGo. Between agencies that fit equally well, one that manages its own profile, and so can read your brief straight away, comes first.
- Google review rating and number of reviews break any remaining ties.
If the matching service is slow or unavailable, GoMatch falls back to a simpler ranking of the agencies that service your state, based mainly on their Google reviews, so you are never left without a shortlist.
What GoMatch Does Not Do
We want you to know exactly what a GoMatch shortlist is, and what it is not:
- PropertyGo does not verify licences or track records. Acting for a buyer for a fee is licensed work in every Australian state and territory, so check an agency's licence with your state regulator before you sign anything.
- The reviews are Google reviews. Profiles show each agency's Google rating and reviews. We don't write or edit them.
- No agency can pay to be on your shortlist. Paying PropertyGo for anything changes nothing about who GoMatch picks.
- No response time is promised. Agencies decide for themselves when to get in touch, so if the timing matters, contact them directly from their profiles.
Free for Buyers
GoMatch is completely free for property buyers. There are no hidden costs, subscription fees, or charges. Agencies can pay PropertyGo for a Featured listing, a Spotlight placement or to unlock a buyer's contact details. None of that changes who GoMatch shortlists for you.
Questions to Ask Your Shortlisted Agencies
A shortlist is an introduction, not a recommendation. Before you engage anyone, ask:
- What do you charge, and when? A fixed fee, a percentage of the purchase price, or a separate engagement fee.
- What have you bought recently in my area and price range?
- Can I see your licence number? Then check it with your state regulator.
- Who will I deal with day to day, and how often will I hear from you?
- What happens if I want to end the agreement before you find a property?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is GoMatch free? A: Yes. Requesting a match, seeing your shortlist and talking to the agencies costs you nothing, and you are under no obligation to engage anyone.
Q: How many agencies will I be matched with? A: Up to three that service your state. Where fewer agencies service it, you see fewer rather than one that doesn't.
Q: Can agencies pay to appear in my shortlist? A: No. Paid Featured listings and Spotlight placements change where an agency appears in our listings, and they carry a Featured label there. They have no effect on GoMatch.
Q: Does PropertyGo verify the agencies? A: No. We show each agency's Google reviews, service areas and specialties, but we don't check licences or past results. Check a licence with your state regulator before you sign.
Q: What if none of the agencies suit me? A: You can change your brief and try again, or browse every buyer's agent in the directory and contact any of them directly.
Take the First Step Today
If you're starting your search for a buyer's agent, GoMatch takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
