Question 1

What does NOVAQ Realty actually do as a buyers agent?

Accepted Answer

We act exclusively for buyers — never vendors. Our engagement covers the full buyer-side process: clarifying your brief (budget, location, property type, timeframe), market research and suburb selection, sourcing on-market and off-market opportunities, independent property assessment with comparable sales, strategy and negotiation with selling agents, written offers and counter-offers, auction bidding up to an agreed cap, coordination of due diligence (building & pest, strata, flood, planning), and liaison with your broker and conveyancer through to unconditional contract and settlement. We then provide general buyer-side support post-settlement until keys are handed over.

Question 2

What's NOT included in the buyers agency engagement?

Accepted Answer

We do not provide legal advice, conveyancing or contract drafting (your solicitor handles that). We do not provide financial, taxation or investment advice. We do not provide loan broking under this engagement (broking is a separately scoped service). We do not produce independent valuations or engineering reports — we can refer trusted third parties. We also do not offer property management services post-settlement, renovation/design or cost-estimating services as part of buyers agency. We give no warranties as to capital growth, rental yield or future performance — no agent legitimately can.

Question 3

What is a Form 6 and why does NOVAQ need one?

Accepted Answer

Under the Property Occupations Act 2014 (Qld), a buyers agent can only be paid for services after a written appointment in the approved Form 6 is signed by both parties. The Form 6 specifies our services, any limits, the commission/fee structure and payment due dates. Our engagement letter sits alongside the Form 6 — if there's any inconsistency, the Form 6 prevails. NOVAQ Realty operates under Licence No. 4915106.

Question 4

Is the appointment exclusive? Can I use another buyers agent at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our appointment is exclusive for the term. During the engagement you cannot appoint another buyers agent or purchase a property we have introduced to you except through us. If you appoint another agent before the engagement ends, you may be liable for double commission or damages. If you (or a related entity) buy a property we introduced within 12 months after termination, our agreed fee remains payable.

Question 5

Do you accept commissions or kickbacks from selling agents, developers or builders?

Accepted Answer

No. We act exclusively for buyers in this engagement and we do not accept vendor-paid commissions. We disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest. This is core to how we operate — we cannot independently negotiate against a party that's paying us.

Question 6

How are NOVAQ's fees structured?

Accepted Answer

Buyers agency fees are scoped per client and depend on factors such as your budget, the property profile, the complexity of the brief, the structure being used (own name, trust, company or SMSF) and the geography. Fees are agreed in writing in the engagement letter and Form 6 before any work begins. We deliberately do not publish a single flat number on the website because charging the same for a $400k regional purchase as a $1.5M metro acquisition isn't fair to either client. Your fee is discussed transparently on the initial strategy call.

Question 7

When are fees paid? Is there a deposit?

Accepted Answer

Payment is split into milestones. A non-refundable retainer is due on signing the engagement letter and Form 6. The balance is payable when the contract goes unconditional. The exact split is confirmed in your engagement letter.

Question 8

Is GST included in the fee?

Accepted Answer

No — GST is added in addition to the agreed fee, in line with Australian tax requirements.

Question 9

Are buyers agency fees tax deductible in Australia?

Accepted Answer

For investment property, buyers agency fees are generally treated as a capital cost (added to your cost base for CGT purposes) rather than an outright deduction in the year incurred. For owner-occupied purchases they are not deductible. This is general information only — speak to a registered tax agent about your circumstances.

Question 10

Are fees refundable if I don't end up buying?

Accepted Answer

The retainer paid on signing is non-refundable — it covers the strategy work, suburb research, shortlisting and inspections we begin immediately. The balance fee is only payable when a contract goes unconditional, so if no purchase occurs you do not pay the balance. If you elect not to proceed after the initial term and don't extend, the engagement ends within 7 days of that period. Termination doesn't affect rights or fees accrued before termination.

Question 11

Who pays for building & pest, strata reports and other third-party costs?

Accepted Answer

You do. These are independent third parties (inspectors, valuers, surveyors, conveyancers). If we engage them on your behalf, you reimburse the cost on invoice or advance the funds. We do not mark up third-party costs.

Question 12

How long is a typical engagement from sign-up to keys?

Accepted Answer

The initial term of our appointment is 6 months from the date of the engagement letter. If no property is purchased in that period, we may extend by mutual agreement for a further 3 months. In practice, most engagements run 8–16 weeks from signing to settlement, depending on finance timing, suburb selection and how quickly the right property surfaces.

Question 13

Can I cancel the engagement? What's the notice period?

Accepted Answer

Either party may terminate by giving 30 days' written notice (or a shorter period if mutually agreed), consistent with the Form 6. Termination doesn't affect rights or fees accrued before termination. The retainer paid on signing remains non-refundable as it covers work already done.

Question 14

What happens if you can't find me a property in the agreed term?

Accepted Answer

If no suitable property is identified within the 6-month initial term, we can extend by 3 months by mutual agreement. If you choose not to extend, the engagement ends within 7 days. The non-refundable retainer covers research and strategy work; the balance success fee is not payable because no contract went unconditional.

Question 15

Why does the 12-month tail clause exist after termination?

Accepted Answer

If you (or a related party) buy a property we specifically introduced within 12 months of termination, our agreed fee is still payable. This stops a small minority of clients from terminating and then transacting privately on a property we sourced. It only applies to properties we actually presented.

Question 16

What do you need from me during the engagement?

Accepted Answer

Accurate information about your goals, budget and ability to transact. Maintaining loan pre-approval where finance is required. Prompt instructions to your solicitor/conveyancer. Attending inspections where we ask, and responding to opportunities within the agreed timeframe. You also agree not to instruct us to engage in misleading conduct, to notify us of any changes to your details or criteria, and to obtain independent legal, financial, tax and credit advice on the purchase.

Question 17

Is what NOVAQ provides financial advice?

Accepted Answer

No. NOVAQ Realty does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence as defined in s913B of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and is not authorised to provide financial product advice. Any market data or commentary we provide is general information only. Always seek independent financial, tax and legal advice before acting.

Question 18

How do you handle my personal information?

Accepted Answer

We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) where it applies to us. We collect only information reasonably necessary to perform the services, give notice of collection, and apply reasonable security measures. Our Privacy Policy is on the website.

Question 19

What happens if there's a dispute?

Accepted Answer

We try to resolve disputes in writing first. Failing that, we refer the matter to mediation in Brisbane, Queensland. The engagement is governed by Queensland law.

Question 20

What makes NOVAQ different from other buyers agents in Australia?

Accepted Answer

We were founded by Chartered Accountants — so the conversation starts with your goal, your borrowing capacity and the right ownership structure (own name, trust, company, SMSF), not a hot suburb. We screen the entire country with a 50+ filter framework rather than defaulting to the agent's home turf. And we run a periodic portfolio review loop after settlement, not a one-off transaction.

Question 21

Who is NOVAQ best suited for?

Accepted Answer

Investors, first home buyers, rentvestors and SMSF buyers who want a structured, goal-based process — not a hot tip. We work best with clients willing to engage in the strategy conversation first and who treat property as one tool inside a broader financial plan.

Question 22

Who is NOVAQ not suited for?

Accepted Answer

Short-term speculators chasing the next 12-month hotspot, or anyone wanting us to recommend off-the-plan units, small townhouses or housing-commission suburbs we wouldn't buy ourselves. If an engagement requires us to compromise the methodology, we politely decline.

Question 23

Why won't you buy off-the-plan, small townhouses or housing-commission suburbs?

Accepted Answer

Each carries structural issues for most investors: weak land-to-asset ratio, settlement valuation gaps, concentrated supply risk, narrow buyer pools and tenant concentration. We explain the reasoning case by case — there are exceptions, but they're rare.

Services,process,feesandengagement.

Services & scope

Fees, payments & refunds

Engagement term & cancellation

Your obligations as a client

How NOVAQ is different

Ready for a goal-based property strategy?