LP Advisory recognised as finalists at the Australian Buyer’s Agent Awards 2026
Choosing the right buyers agent Melbourne team can make a significant difference when purchasing property, especially in a market where timing, due diligence and negotiation all matter.
There are plenty of moving parts in a property purchase. The search, the inspections, the due diligence, the agent follow-up, the comparable sales, the negotiation, the contract conditions, the timing, the pressure and often, the emotion.
That is why buyer advocacy is never just about finding a property.
It is about knowing what to pursue, what to avoid, what to pay and how to protect the buyer’s position before a decision is made.
LP Advisory was recently proud to be recognised as finalists at the Australian Buyer’s Agent Awards 2026, an industry event created to recognise professionals representing and empowering property buyers across Australia.
Lou Lihari was named a finalist for Buyer’s Agent of the Year, Residential PPOR, while Alana Prideaux was named a finalist for Administrator of the Year, Residential PPOR.
For us, the recognition is not just about the awards night. It reflects the work that happens every day for our clients, much of which is never seen publicly.
Why this recognition matters to buyers
When someone appoints a buyer’s agent, they are trusting that person or team with one of the largest financial decisions they may ever make.
It is a big responsibility.
A good buyer’s agent should not simply agree with what a client likes. They should be able to assess the property properly, question the risks, understand the local market, read the campaign and provide clear advice on value.
Sometimes that means encouraging a client to move quickly.
Sometimes it means advising them to walk away.
That level of judgement only comes from experience, process and strong market relationships.
Being recognised at the Australian Buyer’s Agent Awards is something we are proud of. More importantly, it reflects what buyers should expect from the people representing them.
Lou Lihari, Buyer’s Agent of the Year finalist
Lou’s recognition as a finalist for Buyer’s Agent of the Year, Residential PPOR reflects the hands-on work he does with clients purchasing homes across Melbourne.
For many of our clients, buying a home is not just a lifestyle decision. It is also a long-term financial decision.
The right property needs to suit the way they live now, while still holding strong resale appeal and long-term value.
That means looking beyond the surface.
Is the floorplan functional?
Is the land component strong for the area?
Is the home overcapitalised?
Is the price supported by recent comparable sales?
Is there future value-add potential?
Is the location likely to remain tightly held?
These are the questions that matter before a buyer commits.
Lou’s background across selling, auctioneering and buyer representation gives our clients a clear advantage. It helps them understand how selling agents operate, how campaigns are structured and where negotiation opportunities may exist.
Alana Prideaux, Administrator of the Year finalist
Alana’s recognition as a finalist for Administrator of the Year, Residential PPOR highlights a different, but equally important, part of the buying process.
A successful purchase does not happen because one person attends an inspection and makes a call.
It relies on structure.
Behind every client search, there is agent communication, property tracking, inspection coordination, research, contract follow-up, due diligence, buyer updates and timing management.
When the process is organised properly, clients can make decisions with more confidence and less stress.
That structure is especially important in a competitive market, where good properties can move quickly and buyers may only have a short window to act.
Alana’s role ensures the process is clear, considered and consistent from the first conversation through to settlement.
What to look for in a buyers agent Melbourne team
Choosing a buyer’s agent should come down to more than who has access to listings.
Access matters, but so does judgement.
A strong buyer’s agent should be able to explain why a property is worth pursuing, where the risk sits and what the buyer should reasonably pay based on recent evidence.
They should also understand how to position a buyer properly when dealing with selling agents.
That might include the timing of an offer, the strength of the terms, the level of competition, vendor motivation, auction strategy or the value of acting before a campaign gains momentum.
In Melbourne, where quality homes can attract strong buyer competition, this advice can materially change the outcome.
The value of a team approach
At LP Advisory, our clients are not relying on one person working in isolation.
Each client is supported by a team, with defined roles across sourcing, assessment, due diligence, negotiation and communication.
That matters because the buying process can move quickly.
One property may need a contract review.
Another may require urgent comparable sales analysis.
Another may need a discreet agent conversation before it is shown to the broader market.
The stronger the process behind the scenes, the better the client experience.
This is especially important when buying in Melbourne. In tightly held suburbs, off-market and pre-market opportunities can form a meaningful part of the search.
Buyer advocacy is about more than access
Access to off-market properties is valuable, but it is only one part of what a buyer’s agent should provide.
The real value often sits in the advice around whether a property is actually worth buying.
Not every off-market property is a good opportunity.
Not every renovated home is good value.
Not every auction campaign should be pursued.
Not every property that “ticks the boxes” is the right long-term asset.
Our role is to help clients see the full picture before they buy.
That includes the upside, the limitations and the risks.
For owner-occupiers, that might mean balancing lifestyle with future resale demand.
For investors, it means looking closely at performance, potential and protection, including location fundamentals, yield, growth prospects, property quality and liquidity.
A proud moment, but the focus remains the same
Being named finalists at the Australian Buyer’s Agent Awards was a proud moment for LP Advisory.
It recognised both the client-facing strategy and the operational structure that sit behind our work.
But our focus remains the same.
We are here to help buyers make better property decisions.
That means sourcing quality opportunities, assessing value properly, managing the due diligence and negotiating with the buyer’s best interests at the centre of the process.
To our clients, referral partners and industry peers, thank you for your continued trust and support.
If you are considering purchasing property in Melbourne and want experienced representation on your side, you can learn more about our buyer advocacy services or speak with the LP Advisory team.
