Tim Allen’s pathway into property began with a simple goal rather than a grand investment plan.
At just 18, he was determined to stop renting and create some stability, which led to his first property purchase and ultimately a career spanning finance, investment strategy and buyer advocacy.
His introduction to property came early while working full-time in the hardware industry.
“I had the desire of buying a house so we could live in it and stop renting and moving around,” Tim says.
Unable to borrow enough for an owner-occupied home at the time, he instead secured a $145,000 loan in 2003 and purchased a townhouse investment property in southeast Queensland.
“When you’re 18, you don’t know what you don’t know,” he says.
“With the knowledge I’ve got today, I probably would have bought very differently.”
Discovering the finance side of property
That first purchase sparked a deeper interest in how property builds wealth, but it was a few years later that Tim realised finance was often the real driver behind successful investing.
“I realised property was a game of finance,” he says.
That insight led him into mortgage broking in 2013, where he built a strong understanding of lending strategy, borrowing capacity and portfolio structuring.
Over time, he noticed many clients could secure finance but struggled with the buying process itself.
Rather than simply arranging loans, he began helping clients navigate negotiations, property selection and agent interactions.
“I started advising my clients for free about how to purchase property because I kept losing deals,” he says.
“They’d get approved, look for months, then suddenly they’d bought something and used another broker.”
The natural move into buyer advocacy
During the COVID property boom, Tim’s involvement became more hands-on.
With buyers frequently committing to contracts remotely and spending heavily on repeated building and pest inspections, he began inspecting properties on their behalf.
“I started going out and looking at houses for clients because they were signing multiple contracts and burning money on inspections,” he says.
That informal support evolved into a structured service.
After years assisting buyers alongside his finance work, Tim obtained his buyer’s agent licence in 2023.
“I had someone tell me I made a better buyer’s agent than finance broker and should go and get licensed,” he says. “I did — and I haven’t looked back since.”
Working across Southeast Queensland
Today, Tim operates IPS Buyers Agents across southeast Queensland, working with investors, first-home buyers, upsizers and downsizers.
He has a particular focus on value-add opportunities, often identifying properties where simple improvements or secondary dwellings can significantly improve rental returns.
“I’m good at finding those hidden gems where a bit of paint, carpet or adding a granny flat can really boost income,” he says.
He also enjoys helping first-home buyers establish a strong foundation in the market and assisting downsizers working within tight budgets.
One standout purchase involved securing a coastal unit for downsizers who had previously lost money in the GFC.
“It was about 300 metres from the water and came in under their budget,” he says.
“Helping people get back into the market like that is really rewarding.”
A straightforward, strategy-first approach
Tim has now been involved in more than 100 property transactions.
“I work best with people who want honest advice without all the fluff,” he says.
He says clients often value that straightforward approach, particularly in a market where conflicting information and sales messaging can make decision-making difficult.
Alongside IPS Buyers Agents, Tim continues running his mortgage broking business and is focused on building a more integrated property advisory offering.
“I want to keep growing both businesses and eventually build more of a one-stop shop around property advice,” he says.
This could include partnerships across accounting and financial planning to give clients clearer, coordinated guidance as they build property portfolios.
He has also partnered with buyersagents.com.au to expand visibility and connect with more buyers.
“I’ve already had enquiries through the platform,” he says.
“I think they’re doing an amazing job.”
Buyersagents.com.au is proud to support the professional growth of buyer agent Tim Allen via a platform to connect them with more buyers. Discover more at Buyersagents.com.au.
