Home Airbnb buyers agent Sydney Sydney CBD
Airbnb Buyers Agent Sydney CBD
New South WalesBuy a Sydney CBD Airbnb that earns.
We find, check and secure Sydney CBD homes that can earn as short stays, then set them up for their first guest. Fixed fee, pay monthly if you like.
- Clear fees, set before we startThe whole search and purchase$18,000 fixed up to $1.8MAbove $1.8M a sliding scale: 0.6%, 0.57%, 0.525% and 0.375% on each band. GST included.See the fee
- Pay your wayRetainer from $1,000Pay monthly 3, 12, 24 or 36 monthsPay at settlement, or 3 months interest-free, or over 12, 24 or 36 months. No interest while we search.See the payment plans
- After you buySet up and run for youCourse includedOur Airbnb course is free with every purchase. Full management is optional: $340 a month for the first 3 months.Full management in Sydney CBD
In Sydney CBD we offer
Buying in Sydney CBD
Buying an Airbnb in Sydney CBD
Quick answer
What does it cost to buy in Sydney CBD?
Can you buy an Airbnb in the City of Sydney? Yes, but a non-hosted (whole-home) Airbnb is capped at 180 nights a year under NSW rules, and council is asking for advice on tighter limits. In the 12 months from October 2025, 1-bedroom units sold for a median $807,500 in Surry Hills (132 sales) and $710,000 in Waterloo (107 sales), and 2-bedroom units sold for $1,030,000 in Waterloo and $1,500,000 in Surry Hills. Three-bedroom houses sold for $2,087,500 in Newtown. Most stock is strata, so check the by-laws first: owners corporations can restrict short stays in lots that are not the host’s home.
- 3-bed house, median
- $2,432,500
- 2-bed unit, median
- $1,500,000
- 3-bed house rent
- $1,445 / wk
- Gross yield, 3-bed house
- 3.1%
Before you buy in Sydney CBD
Four checks we make on every Sydney CBD property
- Strata by-laws and minutesMost of the city is apartments. We read the by-laws and recent owners corporation minutes for any existing or proposed restriction on short stays before you exchange.
- Council's pending cap or banThe City of Sydney has asked for advice on a lower day cap (October 2025) and on time-limited or suburb bans in areas such as Millers Point, The Rocks and Darlinghurst (April 2026). Nothing is in force yet. We check the latest council decisions and stress-test your numbers against a tighter cap.
- 180 nights plus a fallbackWhole-home stays are capped at 180 nights a year, and bookings of 21 or more consecutive days do not count toward the cap. We plan the other nights as 21+ night stays or a long-term lease, using median rents such as $795 a week for a 1-bedroom unit in Surry Hills.
- Fire safety and registrationShort-stay homes must meet the NSW fire safety standard, and a seller's registration does not transfer. We check the building can comply and plan your new registration for settlement.
Why buy in Sydney CBD
Why buy in Sydney CBD
- 28 of 30suburbs with house vacancy under 1%A tight long-term rental market: a strong fallback if plans change.
- -6.3% to +8.0%a year, 3-bed house prices over 5 yearsUltimo to Darlinghurst, in the 18 suburbs with 5 or more 3-bed house sales.
- 2.1% to 8.8%gross yield, 3-bed housesThe Rocks to Potts Point (2 sales).
- $279 · 51%typical nightly rate and occupancyAbout $51,493 per short-stay listing over 12 months; 3-bedroom homes $73,153 (IntelliHost).
Sources: Stash Property (last 12 months, to October 2026); IntelliHost Market Data (computed 16 October 2026). Figures from the tables on this page.
Before you make an offer
What could this Sydney CBD home earn?
Found a property you like? Enter its address and see what similar short-stay homes nearby are earning, so you know whether the price stacks up before you offer.
- Yearly gross estimate from homes like it nearby
- Nightly rate and occupancy across the year
- Compared with long-term rent so you see the fallback
What it costs to buy
Sydney CBD prices by suburb and bedrooms
Median sale prices and weekly long-term rents over the last 12 months. Pick a bedroom count, or turn on Compare and add as many as you like.
3-bedroom house in Surry Hills · turn on Compare to add more bedroom counts
3 bedrooms
- Sales, 12 months
- 48
- Long-term rent
- $1,445 / wk
- Rent a year
- $75,140
- Gross yield
- 3.1%
- Price growth, 5 yrs
- +3.5% a yr
See every bedroom count in one table
| Houses | Units | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedrooms | Median price | Sales | Rent / week | Median price | Sales | Rent / week |
| 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | $3,250,000 | 3 | $1,872 | — | — | — |
| 4 | $3,350,000 | 23 | $1,700 | — | — | — |
| 3 | $2,432,500 | 48 | $1,445 | $2,100,000 | 7 | $1,550 |
| 2 | $1,830,000 | 28 | $1,100 | $1,500,000 | 69 | $1,100 |
| 1 | — | — | — | $807,500 | 132 | $795 |
* Fewer than 5 sales, so treat the median as a rough guide. Source: Stash Property, publicly available listing data, 12 months from 1 October 2025. Figures in AUD.
Area profile
Who lives here, and how the market is moving
The figures a buyer should check before choosing a suburb. The Market card follows the Houses / Units and bedroom buttons above; People and Housing cover the whole suburb.
Market · 3-bed houses
- Median price
- $2,432,500
- Sales, 12 months
- 48
- Price growth, 12 months
- -9.5%
- Price growth, 5 years
- +3.5% a yr
- Days on market
- 23 days
- Leases, 12 months
- 101
- Days to lease
- 22 days
- Rental vacancy, all houses
- 0.3%
- Houses for sale, all sizes (Sep 2026)
- 28
People · whole suburb
- Population
- 15,828+0.9% over 5 years
- Aged 65 and over
- 10%
- Median household income
- $2,308 / week
- Advantage ranking
- 99th percentileof Australian suburbs (SEIFA)
- Distance to Sydney
- 1.9 km
Housing · whole suburb
- Owner occupied
- 32%
- Rented
- 67%
- Social housing
- 9.1%
- New homes approved, 12 months
- 52 houses · 3 units
- Median rent, 2021 Census
- $550 / week
- Rental vacancy under 1% means a strong long-term rental fallback if you ever stop short-stay letting.
- A low owner-occupier share and lots of new approvals can mean more competing rentals. Check both.
- Days on market shows how quickly you could sell. Fewer days means an easier exit.
ABS Census 2021, ABS Estimated Resident Population, ABS Building Approvals (last 12 months, SA2) and ABS SEIFA 2021, via Stash Property
The number an Airbnb has to beat
Long-term rent is your fallback
A 3-bedroom house in Sydney CBD rents for $44,200 to $166,400 a year long term, depending on the suburb. A short stay makes sense when it clears that comfortably after cleaning, platform and management costs, which is why we test both before you buy.
Follows the Houses / Units and bedroom buttons above. With several bedroom counts picked, each suburb shows the sales-weighted average of those sizes. Your suburb is shown first, then the 4 highest gross yields.
| Suburb | Vacancyall houses | Rent a year3-bed | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surry Hills | 0.3% | $75,140$1,445/wk | 3.1% |
| Potts Point | 0.0% | $166,400$3,200/wk | 8.8% |
| Ultimo | 0.2% | $62,400$1,200/wk | 3.6% |
| Pyrmont | 0.2% | $72,800$1,400/wk | 3.5% |
| Zetland | 0.1% | $78,000$1,500/wk | 3.5% |
See all 30 suburbs25 more
| Beaconsfield | 1.2% | $66,300$1,275/wk | 3.4% |
| Chippendale | 0.2% | $62,400$1,200/wk | 3.4% |
| Waterloo | 0.0% | $59,800$1,150/wk | 3.2% |
| Rosebery | 0.6% | $67,600$1,300/wk | 3.2% |
| Redfern | 0.5% | $67,600$1,300/wk | 3.1% |
| Forest Lodge | 0.5% | $66,300$1,275/wk | 3.1% |
| Newtown | 0.5% | $65,000$1,250/wk | 3.1% |
| Alexandria | 0.7% | $72,800$1,400/wk | 3.1% |
| Camperdown | 0.4% | $67,600$1,300/wk | 3.1% |
| St Peters | 0.8% | $56,264$1,082/wk | 3.1% |
| Millers Point | 0.2% | $80,600$1,550/wk | 3.0% |
| Erskineville | 0.3% | $65,000$1,250/wk | 3.0% |
| Darlington | 0.5% | $62,400$1,200/wk | 2.7% |
| Glebe | 0.6% | $66,560$1,280/wk | 2.7% |
| Darlinghurst | 0.2% | $76,960$1,480/wk | 2.6% |
| Paddington | 1.3% | $91,000$1,750/wk | 2.5% |
| Elizabeth Bay | 0.1% | $131,300$2,525/wk | 2.5% |
| Woolloomooloo | 0.2% | $74,100$1,425/wk | 2.4% |
| Dawes Point | 0.0% | $156,000$3,000/wk | 2.4% |
| The Rocks | 0.2% | $101,400$1,950/wk | 2.1% |
| Barangaroo | 0.0% | — | — |
| Eveleigh | 0.0% | — | — |
| Haymarket | 0.0% | — | — |
| Rushcutters Bay | 0.0% | $44,200$850/wk | — |
| Sydney | 0.0% | $76,700$1,475/wk | — |
Rules that change what you should buy
Sydney CBD short-stay rules for buyers
Taken from the same verified rules as our Sydney CBD management page, checked against official sources on 10 October 2026. We build the approval strategy into the purchase.
Open a question for the detail and the official source
The current state, council and property checks, with official sources. Tap a topic to open it.
01Owner checksOwnership, finance, insurance and authority to operate
- Confirm ownership, finance, insurance and authority to operate the property as short-term accommodation.
02Do I need a New South Wales Airbnb registration or listing number?YES
Every hosted and non-hosted residential STRA property must be registered on the NSW Planning Portal before it is advertised.
The PID-STRA registration number must be displayed on the listing and the registration must be renewed annually.
- Initial registration fee: $65
- Annual renewal fee: $25
- Registration applies to both hosted and non-hosted residential STRA
- Approved traditional tourist accommodation categories are dealt with separately
Official sources: Official government source
03Is there a New South Wales short-stay levy or tax?NO
No current New South Wales tax or levy specifically imposed on ordinary Airbnb or short-stay bookings has been identified.
Official sources: Official government source
04Are there different rules for hosted and unhosted Airbnbs?YES
HOSTED AIRBNB
Hosted STRA can operate for up to 365 days, subject to registration, fire-safety, planning and property requirements.
UNHOSTED AIRBNB
Non-hosted STRA day limits depend on the location. The ordinary limit is 180 days in Greater Sydney, Ballina and specified mapped areas, 60 days in most of Byron Shire, and up to 365 days outside prescribed areas or within an applicable mapped exception.
Bookings of 21 or more consecutive days to the same person or group are not counted toward the applicable non-hosted annual cap.
Any council-specific approval or operating requirement belongs under the council-level section.
Official sources: Host obligations in short-term rental accommodation
05Is there a minimum stay or annual night cap?YES
NEW SOUTH WALES LEVEL
YES — LOCATION AND HOSTING STATUS DEPENDENT
- Hosted STRA: no annual day cap below 365 days
- Non-hosted STRA: 180-day cap in Greater Sydney, Ballina and specified mapped areas
- Most of Byron Shire: 60-day cap, subject to mapped 365-day precincts
- Other NSW areas: up to 365 days under the exempt pathway
- Bookings of 21 or more consecutive days are excluded from cap counting
- No universal NSW minimum number of nights per booking
CITY OF SYDNEY LEVEL
NO
No published City of Sydney rule has been identified that imposes a universal Airbnb-specific minimum stay or annual booking-night cap on ordinary private residential properties. Property-specific approvals can still impose conditions.
Any minimum rental periods applying to council-owned accommodation, staff housing, campsites or other authority-provided accommodation are service conditions. They are not private Airbnb restrictions.
Official sources: Official government source
06Do I need City of Sydney approval or a DA?NO
USUALLY NO DA — eligible residential STRA can use the NSW Housing SEPP exempt pathway if every standard, registration requirement and applicable day limit is met. DA/consent review is required outside that pathway. Fee is statutory/proposal-specific. Approval is never assured.
City of Sydney checks:
- Check — Hosted or unhosted treatment: The NSW Code of Conduct and STRA fire-safety standard apply to hosted and non-hosted residential STRA.
- No — Guest limit: No general statewide STRA guest cap.
- No — Parking plan or condition: No statewide STRA parking quota.
- Check — Noise management: Mandatory Code of Conduct applies.
- No — Property or management plan: No statewide management-plan requirement for every exempt STRA.
- No — Neighbour notification or contact: No statewide rule requiring direct neighbour contact details for every STRA.
- No — Waste plan: No statewide STRA waste-management plan.
- Check — Fire or evacuation requirements: Statewide STRA fire standard: evacuation plan/information, interconnected smoke alarms and required fire equipment; registration confirms compliance.
General noise, nuisance, parking, building, fire, strata, title, lease and insurance requirements still apply even when there is no blanket authority approval.
Official sources: Official government source
07Is there a Sydney CBD Airbnb development-application fee?NO
There is no standard Sydney CBD Airbnb development-application fee applying to every owner.
VARIABLE — where a DA is required, the statutory NSW fee is calculated under Schedule 4 of the EP&A Regulation and invoiced through the portal; exact fee depends on application type/cost.
If an individual property requires a development application, solely the fee applying to that specific application should be shown.
Official sources: Official government source
08Do I need a Sydney CBD registration or permit number?NO
City of Sydney does not have a published Airbnb-specific registration or permit-number scheme separate from any state or territory requirement and from a property-specific development approval.
Official sources: Host obligations in short-term rental accommodation
09Does Sydney CBD charge an Airbnb registration or renewal fee?NO
No published Sydney CBD Airbnb-specific registration, listing, annual renewal, inspection or operating-permit fee has been identified. General authority fees unrelated to Airbnb must not be displayed as short-stay fees.
Official sources: Official government source
10Is there a Sydney CBD short-stay levy or tax?NO
No City of Sydney tax or levy specifically charged on Airbnb or short-stay bookings has been identified.
This is separate from the state or territory levy answer under number 03.
Official sources: Host obligations in short-term rental accommodation
What a Sydney CBD short stay needs before it takes guests
What a Sydney CBD short stay needs before it takes guests
- 1
Use Council of the City of Sydney's property and planning services to confirm zoning and approval history
View the council resource - 2
Retain written council advice relied upon for the exact address
View the council resource
Areas we buy in
Areas we buy in across Sydney CBD
Sydney CBD31 areas
Alexandria, Barangaroo, Beaconsfield, Camperdown (part), Chippendale, Darlinghurst, Darlington, Dawes Point (part), Elizabeth Bay, Erskineville, Eveleigh, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Haymarket, Millers Point, Moore Park, Newtown (part), Paddington (part), Potts Point, Pyrmont, Redfern, Rosebery (part), Rushcutters Bay, St Peters (part), Surry Hills, Sydney, The Rocks, Ultimo, Waterloo, Woolloomooloo, Zetland.
Buy through us and WTP can manage the home from settlement day: listing, pricing, guests, cleaners and any local contact the council requires. Airbnb management in Sydney CBD →
How we buy
From brief to first booking
- 1Brief
Budget, suburbs, bedrooms, and how much you will use it yourself.
- 2Shortlist
On-market and off-market homes, each with a short-stay revenue check.
- 3Rules check
Planning, council approval category, by-laws, pool and fire compliance.
- 4Negotiate
Price, conditions and settlement terms, with approval risk built in.
- 5Launch
Setup, listing and pricing so it can take bookings soon after settlement.
The price
Airbnb buyers agent fees, worked out for your purchase
Pick your price range or type your budget. You see the fee, the retainer and every way to pay, straight away. All prices include GST.
What do you expect to pay for the property?
Your fee: $18,600 0.98% of the price, GST included. If you buy for more or less, it’s worked out again on the price you actually pay.
No interest while we search, and the first 3 months are interest-free. After you buy, interest is charged on what’s still owing, nothing more. Pay it off at any time and the interest stops: you just pay what’s left of the fee.
Included
- Your own buyers agent · One person who knows your brief from start to finish.
- Strategy session and 20-year plan · Where this property fits in your bigger plan.
- Airbnb data software · Real occupancy and nightly-rate data for every area we test.
- Unlimited reviews and negotiations · As many properties as it takes to get the right one.
- Off-market and pre-market access · Where available.
- Airbnb course access · Learn how the business works, free.
Good to know
- The retainer comes off your fee, never on top of it.
- Pay the balance at settlement, or spread it with a monthly payment plan.
- Airbnb course access is included with every purchase.
- All fees include GST.
The fee scale and retainer
Each rate applies to the part of the price inside its band, not the whole price. All amounts include GST.
Download the brochure (PDF). After you buy, full management is optional: $340 a month for the first 3 months, then a share of what the home earns. How do buyers agent fees compare? See buyers agent fees in Australia.
Pay monthly: see how the payment plans work3 to 36 months
Payment plans
Pay your Airbnb buyers agent fee monthly, not all at once
A buyers agent fee usually falls due at settlement, right when the deposit, stamp duty, furniture and setup costs land. We let you spread it. You start with a retainer from $1,000, which comes off your fee, then choose how to pay the rest.
- Pay at settlement
Nothing more until you buy. The balance is paid at settlement, with nothing added.
- 3 months, interest-free
Split the balance into three monthly payments, with no interest at any point.
- 12, 24 or 36 months
Smaller monthly payments. No interest while we search, and the first 3 months are interest-free. After you buy, 0.5% a month applies to what is still owing.
- Pay it off early, any time
Clear the balance whenever you like and the interest stops. You pay what is left of the fee, nothing more.
- Worked out on the price you pay
Payments start on your estimated price. When you buy, the fee is worked out again on the actual price, and anything paid over is refunded.
- More cash to set the home up
Spreading the fee keeps more of your cash for the deposit, furniture and setup, so the home can start taking bookings sooner.
Illustrative example: on a $1.5M Airbnb purchase our fee is $18,000, GST included. After a $1,500 retainer you could pay the $16,500 balance at settlement, as $5,500 a month for 3 months with no interest, or from $687.50 a month on the 24-month plan. Use the Airbnb buyers agent fee calculator to see every option for your price.
Why us: what our Airbnb buyers agent checks before you offer
- Areas where guests want to stay
Occupancy, nightly rates, seasons and demand checked with Airbnb data before we look at a single house.
- Rules checked first
Council short-term rental rules and strata by-laws checked so you never buy a home you can’t let.
- Income modelled
Expected bookings, rates and costs worked out for each property before you offer.
- A long-term rental fallback
We check normal rent and vacancy too, so the property still works if plans change.
- Search, inspect, negotiate
On-market and off-market properties, unlimited reviews and negotiation on your behalf.
- Set up after settlement
Course access is included, and we can set up and manage the home for you.
Free tools: quick answers before you call
Free tools
Quick answers before you call
- What could a property earn?Check any address before you buy: a free Airbnb income estimate from real listings near it. About 1 minute.Estimate a property
- What would I pay you?See the buyers agent fee for your budget, all figures including GST.Work out my fee
- Bought and renovating?Our Renovation tier is $200 a month of setup advice until you’re about 2 weeks from going live.See the Renovation tier
Short-stay market data
The Sydney CBD Airbnb market in numbers
What short stays within 4 km of Sydney CBD earned over the last 12 months. Pick your bedroom count, or several to see them side by side.
How many bedrooms? Pick one or more
All 1,000 Sydney CBD listings, every size: $279 a night · 51% occupancy · $141 per available night · $51,493 per listing a year · booked 38 days ahead (median).
Source: IntelliHost Market Data, 1,000 short-stay listings within 4 km of Sydney CBD, computed 16 October 2026. Market estimates, not booking records. Figures in AUD.
Each month against the 12-month averagefollows your pick
See every bedroom count in one table
| Size | Revenue, 12 months | Nightly rate | Occupancy | Per available night | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 bedrooms | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| 8 bedrooms | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| 7 bedrooms | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| 6 bedrooms | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| 5 bedrooms | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| 4 bedrooms | $100,460 | $615 | 44% | $269 | 20 |
| 3 bedrooms | $73,153 | $438 | 46% | $202 | 99 |
| 2 bedrooms | $62,674 | $326 | 53% | $172 | 297 |
| 1 bedroom | $36,305 | $200 | 50% | $100 | 408 |
| Studio | $30,959 | $155 | 55% | $85 | 167 |
Grey rows: fewer than 10 listings, so no figures are reported.
Asking rate by day of the week
Forward asking rates across all Sydney CBD listings (not split by bedroom count).
Who books in Sydney CBD3 guest groups
City-break visitors
Solo travellers and couples visiting Sydney for a few days who want to walk to the sights, food and public transport.
- A central spot within a short walk of the city, food and transport
- Clear check-in instructions and a responsive host
- A clean place with comfortable beds and the basics
Often missing: Self check-in, Wifi, Hot water, Essentials
Families and multi-generation groups
Families with children or several generations together staying four to seven days who want space and their own bedrooms.
- Several bedrooms and bathrooms
- A washer and dryer in the unit
- A complete kitchen
Often missing: Dishwasher, Dryer, Bed linens, Washer
Couples on a relaxing weekend
Couples and solo travellers on a short break who want a calm, beautifully styled place and a personal welcome.
- A stylish space with character
- A very comfortable bed and quality linen
- A spa, pool or a lovely bathroom
Often missing: Wine glasses, Shower gel, Hot water kettle, Shampoo
From guest reviews in the IntelliHost market report.
See the full Sydney CBD Airbnb market report: month by month, by bedroom count and who books →
What our clients say on Google
4.9 from 40 reviews★★★★★
I’ve bought two properties through Scott and both have been excellent buys. He found great value in strong locations, and the growth has been solid. Because of the results from those first two, I’m now in a position to buy another two investment properties and I’ll definitely be using Scott again.
Dean Erickson · Google review · 2025
★★★★★
Scott has been awesome throughout my journey. We bought our first investment property with Scott’s help and professional guidance. Would recommend him to any new buyers looking to kick start their investment portfolio.
Jessica Wills · Google review · 2023
★★★★★
Thanks for helping me Scott. You made buying in another state easy and I wouldn’t had the time to do it myself
Derek Farmer · Google review · 2022
Areas we service
Also buying near Sydney CBD
Sources used for this page
Sources used for this page
- Official government source
- Host obligations in short-term rental accommodation
- www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au
- www.service.nsw.gov.au
- legislation.nsw.gov.au
- www.planning.nsw.gov.au
- www.nsw.gov.au
- www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
- meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
- www.olg.nsw.gov.au
- www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
- www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
- www.abs.gov.au
- www.abs.gov.au
- news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
- Stash Property (suburb sales, rents and profiles)
Last reviewed 28 October 2026 (suburb data); rules checked 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and interpretations can change. Confirm the exact property with the relevant authority before advertising or accepting bookings.
Common questions
Buying an Airbnb in Sydney CBD: questions buyers ask
Can I run an Airbnb in the City of Sydney?
Yes, if the property is on the NSW short-term rental register and meets the fire safety standard. A whole-home (non-hosted) Airbnb is capped at 180 nights in each registration year because the City of Sydney is in Greater Sydney, and strata by-laws can restrict non-hosted stays. Council has also asked for advice on tighter limits, so we check its latest decisions before you buy.
Which City of Sydney suburbs have the most sales?
In the 12 months from October 2025 the busiest markets by sales were Surry Hills (338), Waterloo (310), Zetland (272), Darlinghurst (271) and Rosebery (258). More sales give a more reliable median. The right suburb depends on your budget, the building’s by-laws and how you plan to use the nights outside the 180-night cap.
How much does an Airbnb earn in the City of Sydney?
It depends on the property, the season and the NSW 180-night cap on whole-home stays. Council has also asked for advice on a lower cap, so we test the numbers against that too. Before you buy, WTP models the specific property with current short-stay and long-term rent data, so you see both the Airbnb case and the fallback case. We don’t publish a single earnings figure because it would not fit every property.
Does a buyer’s agent need a licence to buy for me in the City of Sydney?
Licensing rules for buyer’s agents differ from state to state. Before you sign, WTP confirms in writing who acts for you in the state you are buying in, and where a locally licensed agent is needed we work with one on the ground.
How much does an Airbnb buyer’s agent cost in Sydney CBD?
Our Airbnb buyer’s agent fee is $18,000 fixed for purchases up to $1.8M, then a sliding scale above that, GST included. The exact fee and retainer for your price are on the fee calculator on this page, and we confirm them in writing before you engage us.
More questions5 more
What if I lease it long term instead?
The city has a deep rental market. In the 12 months from October 2025, 1-bedroom units leased for a median $795 a week in Surry Hills and $800 a week in Waterloo, and 2-bedroom units for $1,100 a week in both. Unit vacancy was 1.1% in Surry Hills and 2.4% in Waterloo.
Can I pay the Airbnb buyer’s agent fee in instalments?
Yes. The fee can be paid in 3 interest-free monthly instalments, or spread over 12, 24 or 36 months. No interest runs while we search, and you can pay it off at any time.
I live outside Sydney. Can you still buy a Sydney CBD Airbnb for me?
Yes. Most of our clients buy interstate. Every property is inspected before an offer by a locally licensed agent or a qualified inspector, and you get the inspection report and photos before you decide. We handle the research, shortlisting and checks from wherever you are.
Can WTP manage the Airbnb after I buy?
Yes, and it is optional. Management is $340 a month for the first 3 months, then 12.5% of net booking income falling to 3% as income grows, GST included. Our Airbnb setup and optimisation course is free with a purchase.
Is an Airbnb buyer’s agent worth it in Sydney CBD?
The 180-night cap on whole-home stays and strata by-laws that can ban non-hosted stays make the wrong unit expensive to fix. The fallback matters too: 1-bedroom units leased for a median $795 a week in Surry Hills and $800 in Waterloo, and 2-bedroom units for $1,100 a week. We test each property against both the Airbnb case and the long-term rent case before you offer.
Which Sydney CBD suburbs do you search?
We search the City of Sydney area, including Surry Hills, Waterloo, Zetland, Darlinghurst, Rosebery, Pyrmont and Potts Point. The right suburb depends on your budget, the building’s by-laws and how you plan to use the nights outside the 180-night cap.
Do I need to register my Airbnb in NSW?
Yes. Short-term rental properties must be on the NSW STRA Register before they are advertised. Registration costs $65 and renewal is $25 a year, both non-refundable. The home must meet the fire safety standard and the host must follow the Code of Conduct.
Is there a short-stay levy in Sydney CBD?
No levy or tax on short-stay bookings is mentioned on the NSW Planning or NSW Fair Trading short-term rental pages, and the solely listed fees are the registration and renewal fees. We recheck this before you buy.
Do 21-night stays count toward the 180-night cap?
No. Bookings of 21 consecutive days or more are excluded from the non-hosted day limit. Many Sydney CBD owners plan the nights beyond the cap as 21+ night stays or a long-term lease, so we model both before you offer.
Can my strata ban Airbnb in a Sydney CBD apartment?
It depends on the building. An owners corporation can adopt a by-law restricting short-term rental, but solely in lots that are not the host’s principal place of residence. We read the by-laws and recent minutes before you exchange.
Find a Sydney CBD home that can earn before you buy it
Talk to us about your budget, the Sydney CBD suburbs you’re open to and the kind of short-stay home you want. We’ll tell you where the numbers work.