All Your Questions Answered - Buying, Living and Investing in Cairns and Townsville, Tropical North Queensland 

Buying a property is likely to be one of the biggest purchases you will ever make, and appointing the right buyers agent for the job is critical to a successful outcome. Make sure you get this first step right, by using this buyers agent checklist.

An exclusive buyers agent acts on behalf of buyers to purchase real property.

A number of barriers either stop many prospective home or investment property buyers in their tracks, or prevent them from ever getting started. Many of the barriers can be removed by appointing an exclusive buyers agent.

A real estate ‘buyers agent’, also described as a 'buyers advocate' or 'buyers broker', is an agent who acts on behalf of a buyer to purchase real estate. But it's usage and representation vary widely. As a buyer, you need to understand exactly who is really working on your behalf.

NQ Buyers Agent provides you with a comprehensive background mapping of the area or region you’re considering buying into. It’s designed to give you clear, visual insight into location risks, hidden advantages, and long-term suitability. Whether you’re local, relocating, or investing remotely, this is the groundwork that underpins smart, confident property decisions.

Our Body Corporate review and analysis is a comprehensive, expert-led deep dive into the management and financial health of the Body Corporate associated with the property you are considering. This is designed to uncover potential risks, obligations, and opportunities that could impact your ownership experience and investment security.

We offer a structured, research-based approach to help you make confident, high-value property decisions. Approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the psychology behind property buying—balancing logic, emotion, and risk—and is tailored to your individual goals and preferences.

Our Property Shortlist service is a rigorous, research-driven scan of all available properties within your target area. Using your personalised brief, we systematically eliminate unsuitable options and provide a clear, focused shortlist of the most viable properties—saving you time, reducing overwhelm, and keeping your search on track.

Our secure Client Portal is your personalised command centre throughout the buying journey. It provides real-time access to your property shortlist, research documents, reports, videos, timelines, and communications—all in one central, easy-to-use platform.

Our Due Diligence service is a deep, methodical investigation into any property you're considering—designed to uncover hidden risks, confirm value, and ensure you're buying with full knowledge and confidence. We go beyond the basics to protect you from costly surprises and missed red flags.

Mould is a common concern in Cairns due to the region’s warm, humid tropical climate. While it can affect most homes, especially older or poorly ventilated properties, understanding the causes and signs helps buyers identify risks and maintain healthy living environments.

Cyclone resilience is a key factor for Cairns homes, combining building code compliance with quality construction and ongoing maintenance. Buyers should understand both structural standards and practical risk factors to make informed decisions.

Termites are a serious but manageable concern in Cairns due to the warm, humid climate and abundance of timber homes. Regular inspections, preventative treatments, and good property maintenance are key. Buyers should not be deterred by termite history alone — but should verify that active management is in place.

Home insurance premiums in Cairns are among the highest in Australia due to the region’s exposure to cyclones, flooding, and storm damage. However, premiums vary significantly depending on property location, build quality, and resilience features. Buyers can often reduce costs by choosing homes with risk-mitigating features or opting for higher excess policies.

Stormwater management is critical in Cairns due to the region’s intense seasonal rainfall and tropical downpours. Poor drainage can lead to flash flooding, pooling under homes, mould, and structural damage — even if the home itself is not in a mapped flood zone. Understanding the property's drainage setup is essential for long-term habitability and maintenance.

Cairns’ tropical climate fosters a variety of pests that can impact homes, including termites, mosquitoes, ants, and rodents. Understanding common local pests and proactive management strategies is crucial for maintaining property condition and comfort.