If you’re anything like me and you’re trying to buy a property without losing your mind or blowing your budget, you’ve probably thought about using a buyer’s agent. And, if you’re also like me, you’ve probably worried that you’d spend the money and still end up disappointed.That was exactly where I started.I spoke to Simon Dean at Lock and Key, then compared my notes as I met two other buyers agents. Simon just stood out. He was clear, confident, straight-talking and in a market like this, I figured it was worth backing someone who actually knew what they were doing.My budget was tight. My wish list was long. And yet from the moment I signed on, their service was world-class. The onboarding was seamless. My WhatsApp lit up like New Year’s Eve with updates from the team. Then came a proper briefing with Caitlin, and we were moving.A few inspections later with Belinda and Ingrid, we found the place. Belinda negotiated an unbelievable price — genuinely better than I thought possible. I exchanged on 20 November, just a touch over three weeks from the moment I first sat down with Simon.Ten out of ten service. No hesitation.They have the contacts. They know the neighbourhoods. They know the agents. And because of that, they negotiate from a position of strength that I just didn’t have on my own.I couldn’t have asked for a better experience — or a better outcome.