Choosing a Korean-speaking real estate agent in Australia

Start with the state

Australian property law, contract practice and agent licensing are run state by state. Cooling-off rules, contract conditions and the form used to appoint an agent all differ, so the first step is an agent who knows the rules of the state where the property is. When you look for a Korean real estate agent, narrow it to a city — Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne — rather than “Australia”.

C&K Realty is a Korean-speaking agency in Brisbane covering parts of South East Queensland — Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Redland and Moreton Bay.

Be clear about the service you need

• Selling agent advertises the property and acts for the vendor.
• Buyer’s agent is appointed by the buyer to act for the buyer — finding, checking and negotiating. Ask whether they are also paid by the seller or developer.
• Property manager acts for the landlord — tenant selection, inspections and running the tenancy.

Two Korean-speaking agents can be on opposite sides of the same deal. If you are buying, remember that the selling agent at the open home is working for the vendor.

Check the licence yourself

Real estate agency, buyer’s agency and property management all require a state or territory licence or registration. Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading publishes a public register; NSW Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs Victoria also offer public licence checks. C&K Realty’s Queensland corporation licence number is 4736294.

Get it in writing before you start

In Queensland, a residential agent — including a buyer’s agent — is appointed on the approved Form 6, which sets out the service, the term and all fees. Other states have their own written agency agreements. Do not start on a verbal explanation alone — confirm in writing:

• Who they act for including whether they are paid by anyone else in the same transaction
• How the fee works fixed or percentage, the total including GST, and when it is payable
• Who does the work who personally inspects and negotiates

Check how far the Korean goes

Ask whether only the first meeting is in Korean, or whether contract conditions, building and pest reports and negotiation updates are explained in Korean too. If you are buying from interstate or overseas, ask how the process runs remotely — see Buying Queensland property from interstate or overseas.