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Property Sourcing Agents vs Estate Agents

Know who the agent is working for.

Property Sourcing Agents vs Estate Agents Property Investment & Wealth Building

Updated October 2026 · Fraser Bond

Investing · Agents

Sourcing vs estate agents

Estate agentfor sellers
Buying agentfor buyers
Sourcerfinds deals
Redressrequired
In short: An estate agent acts for the seller and is paid by them. A buying agent or property finder acts for the buyer, usually for a fee. Property "sourcers" find deals for investors, often for a finder's fee. Anyone doing estate agency work in the UK must belong to a redress scheme and comply with money-laundering rules, so check this before paying a fee. Always do your own due diligence on any deal.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays an estate agent?

The seller.

Do sourcers need to be registered?

They must belong to a redress scheme and follow AML rules.

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