The answer is actually very simple; investors need the services of a buying agent in order to get informed, and to receive expert advice in what is an increasingly complicated market.
It is actually no different to the world of wine, art, cars and watches – buyers and investors will always seek the advice of the professionals so they can be guided through the process to ensure they make the right acquisition and crucially at the right price. In fact if anything, buying a property is trickier than any of these, because the world of prime property is such a minefield with so many factors to consider and without solid, expert advice throughout the entire process, an investor could easily make the wrong decision.
A good buying agent will have access to information that is not readily available on the open market and this is what makes his service so invaluable. He will know what else has sold in the area and for what price, he will know what is planned in the area that may impact longterm investment potential, he will be clear about the different kind of investment opportunities in any given post code. Without the advice and guidance of a buying agent, the investor is reliant on the selling agent whose job it is to get the best price for his client, the vendor.
It therefore makes sound commercial and common sense to ensure that the buyer has someone acting solely in his best interests and as such, he will negotiate hard to ensure the correct price is paid.