What is a buyer brief, and how do you write a good one?
What is a buyer brief and how do you write one?
A buyer brief is a short written summary of what you want to buy, where, at what price, and how soon you can act. It exists so an owner or an agent can decide in ten seconds whether their home suits you.
- A good brief fits in one paragraph and answers suburb, size, budget and timing.
- Non-negotiables are more useful than a long wish list.
- Your contact details stay private on MatchMyHome. Only the requirement is published.
What goes in a buyer brief?
- Suburbs: name them. Three to eight real suburbs beats "inner west".
- Property type and size: house or apartment, bedrooms, bathrooms, parking.
- Budget range: a floor and a ceiling. A single number reads as a bluff.
- Timeframe: ready now, three months, or watching for the right one.
- Finance position: pre-approved, deposit ready, cash, or still arranging.
- Two or three non-negotiables: the things that end the conversation, such as no main road or must be pet friendly.
What should you leave out?
Leave out the long list of nice to haves, the story about your last failed auction, and anything that narrows you so far that nothing qualifies. A brief is a filter, not an autobiography.
A template you can copy
Looking in Marrickville, Dulwich Hill or Earlwood. Freestanding house, three bedrooms, one plus bathrooms, off street parking. Budget 1.6 to 1.85 million. Pre-approved, deposit ready, can settle in 60 days. Not interested in main roads or anything needing a full structural rebuild.
That paragraph does more than a saved search, because it can be forwarded to an owner who has not listed yet.
Who sees your brief?
On MatchMyHome your brief is published without your name, email or phone number. Owners and agents see the requirement and the suburb, and they can ask for an introduction. You decide whether to accept. Nothing is sold and nothing is passed on automatically.
What should you do next?
Write the paragraph, then publish it free and look at what other buyers in your suburbs are asking for. If your brief looks identical to fifty others, tighten the non-negotiables.
Common questions
Does publishing a buyer brief cost anything?
No. Publishing a brief on MatchMyHome is free for buyers and always will be.
Will agents spam me if I publish a brief?
They cannot see your contact details. An introduction only happens if you accept it.
How specific should my budget be?
Give a real range you can fund. Padding the ceiling wastes your time and inviting offers below your floor wastes everyone else's.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11.