What our Canberra clients say

The reviews are full of glowing praise for the team of Alexander and James from Cohen-Handler. Our experience has found them to be absolutely true. The true value of their work is seen not only in the off-market properties that they took us through or the negotiations that they did on our behalf, or the pragmatic representation in the bidding process, but also in avoiding potentially costly mistakes and eventually finding a house that suits our needs. Their foresight, support and guidance regarding construction and renovation plans is equally valuable. We will surely engage them once again for our next purchase.

Wonderful service and would 100% recommend. The team were a dream from go to woe, and made purchasing my first home easy and simple.

My husband and I are so grateful for the help we received from Cohen Handler with finding our new home. They were patient with us while we narrowed down exactly what we were looking for. We appreciated them going to open homes on our behalf and finding unique properties with character. They went above and beyond to find us an off-market opportunity that ticked all the boxes. Professional, knowledgeable and genuinely committed to getting the right result. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough!

We had an amazing experience with James Meli who was recommended to us by our mortgage broker. As first home buyers and we weren’t comfortable with bidding at auctions and the whole process was just made so much easier when we engaged him. He is extremely knowledgeable and being a builder himself he also helped us inspect the house and gave valuable advice! Thanks James for everything you have done for us :)

We had an outstanding experience with Cohen Handler Buyers Agents and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. From start to finish, Alexander was fantastic to deal with. He was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping us find the right property. His guidance throughout the entire process made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and straightforward. Having James involved with his extensive building knowledge gave us an extra level of confidence when assessing properties. His insights helped us make informed decisions and ensured we fully understood the potential and condition of each home we considered. Thanks to the team’s expertise, we successfully purchased our home, which we have now fully renovated and transformed into exactly what we envisioned. Looking back, we are incredibly grateful for the support, advice, and professionalism we received throughout the journey. The service was truly five-star, and we will absolutely be contacting Alexander, James, and the team again shortly as we begin the process of purchasing our next property. Thank you again for helping us secure such a great home.

I honestly can’t recommend Alexander enough. He has helped not only myself, but close friends of mine, find exactly what they were looking for. What really stood out was how much he genuinely listened. It never felt like we were being pushed into anything — he took the time to understand what each of us wanted and only brought opportunities that actually suited us. His communication, patience, and knowledge made the whole process feel easy and stress-free from start to finish. Buying property can be overwhelming, but having someone you trust in your corner makes all the difference. We’re all so grateful for Alex's help and couldn’t be happier with the outcomes.

Cohen Handler scooped us up like a little baby, patted us on the head and dropped us off at our dream house 2 weeks after initial phone call and under our budget. Main benefits: 1. You'll get the commission back in the great price they get you. 2. Access to offf market properties. I knew every property in our range on All Homes so to get access to these off market ones was amazing. 3. Auction tactics. A man in a suit on the phone has a pretty scary vibe plus tactics used to secure best price. They do this multiple times every Saturday, compared to us who were terrified at auction. 4. Negotiation. They knew the market so well and know where property value was. You dont have to deal with the other agent either/ fall for tricks etc. 5. Communication. CH tailored their communication to suit us. I.e. meeting at a playground with our little kids, meeting late at night after a flight, use of whatsapp etc. 6. Cohen Handler machine. Property reports, solicitor, building info, signing docs. All a well oiled machine. Thank you so much Ieuan, James and Alex. Using your service was the best part of the process. Thanks for taking away all the yucky stuff.

We honestly couldn’t have found our forever home without James Meli and the team at Cohen Handler Canberra 🤍 This journey meant so much to us as we were looking for our forever home and had alot of boxes that we needed ticked before we could fully commit to buying a property. I’ll be the first to admit—I’m very picky and wanted to make sure we were getting real value for money, possibly securing a property with equity (which feels almost impossible in this market). James never once made us feel difficult. James and the team were patient, supportive, and completely in our corner the whole time. No request was to big and James met us with professional and genuine advice about our options. James is a licensed builder and building inspector/assessor. His experience allowed him to recognise a quality built home as soon as he walked in the door. His communication skills are second to none and he has built very strong relationships with many real estate agents in and around the Canberra/Queanbeyan region which allows him access to properties that are coming onto the market before they are even advertised. In our buying journey the moment that changed everything for us was when James secured us a beautiful off-market estate and gave us first pick. That opportunity alone is something we never would have had without him and the team at Cohen Handler Canberra—and it ended up being the one. Finally we have moved into our forever home and look forward to making beautiful memories in it for many years to come. We were a young family with a toddler looking for our forever home in a fierce market, we were time poor and overwhelmed with the process but once meeting James he held our hand through every step of the way and made it alot easier to navigate it all. Every question was answered, every inspection supported, and every decision made with confidence because of him and the team. If you’re thinking about buying, do yourself a favour and have James and the team in your corner. It makes all the difference 🤍

We had an outstanding experience working with Alex Anlezark from Cohen Handler Canberra in purchasing our new home. Alex was professional, personable, and highly organised throughout the entire process. What could have been an incredibly stressful time was made so much easier with his support and guidance. We were under pressure to find a home quickly, right over the Christmas period,and in less than six weeks, Alex had successfully secured a property for us. He sourced suitable homes, attended inspections with us, and provided valuable insights at every step. Alex also negotiated with the realtor on our behalf, handled all the paperwork seamlessly, and connected us with an excellent lawyer who ensured the legal side of things ran smoothly. We truly felt supported during what was an emotional journey, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his dedication and expertise. We highly recommend Alex to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and committed buyer’s agent.

After being constantly outbid time and time again, we decided to commit to a buyers agent… I don’t know how Ieuan and James did it. But, without them we wouldn’t have found the perfect house for a price that we were absolutely stoked to pay. Ieuan and James took on the time consuming stressful part of buying home and wrapped it up in one very comprehensive service. Highly recommend the team at Cohen Handler Canberra.

James and Alex were great to work with and they found me a property straight away. They communicated well with me throughout the whole process and I will definitely be going back to the boys to help me search for my next project!

We recently purchased our wonderful home with the help of our buyer’s agent, James, and I can’t recommend him highly enough. From start to finish, he genuinely cared about helping us find the right property and made the whole process feel easy and stress-free. James’s communication was next level — always keeping us updated, explaining every step clearly, and going above and beyond to make sure everything stayed on track. You could really tell he wanted the best outcome for us, and his professionalism and dedication got the deal over the line smoothly. We’re so grateful for all his hard work and couldn’t be happier with our new home. If you’re looking for someone who actually cares and delivers results, James is the one to call! 🏡👏

If we’d known about the level of service offered by the Canberra Cohen Handler team, we would have engaged them much sooner. We were on a tight deadline and struggling to make progress on our own. They took on a flexible brief and understood that our search wasn’t just about ticking boxes in a particular suburb. Instead, they cast a wide net and presented us with a variety of listed and off-market options. They were patient as we collectively figured out the “vibe” we were looking for, and they worked tirelessly on our behalf. The team was extremely responsive, and their advice on navigating negotiations was invaluable—covering things we wouldn’t have even considered as first-home buyers. In the end, they delivered on their commitment and helped us secure a wonderful home, within budget and in time. Thank you, James, Ieuan, and Alex—we couldn’t have achieved such a great outcome without you!

I was at first skeptical of using a buyers agent, in particular, the fees associated. After losing out at numerous auctions and being gazumped, it was a mix of luck (and my wife) that we came to have our first meeting. I can honestly say that engaging Cohen Handler was the best thing we did and absolutely worth every dollar! Our agents had both real estate and building background, which was an invaluable tool when inspecting properties. Both James and Alex were incredibly responsive, nothing was ever too much trouble amd both were so professional and personable. In a highly competitive market, they found us numerous off market opportunities which ultimately enabled us to secure ahead of competition. When qe arw ready to sell again I would have no hesitation in engaging them again - i cannot recommemd them enough. Thankyou to the CH team for wverything you did.

James and the team in Canberra made the overwhelming process of finding and purchasing a place seamless and enjoyable. I was hesitant at first, but as a single mum of two with a full time job I couldn’t have done it without them. They knew all the estate agents, had access to off market properties, and handled all the negotiations, guiding me through the process. I’d use them again without question. Thanks James!

Even though I have bought and sold homes before, to have experts like this team on my side was an absolute level up. They're lovely and down to earth but also very professional. I would confidently recommend them for any budget. They took the stress and worry out of the whole process saving us lots of time and a lot of money. From beginning to end they make sure your interests are being looked after. They screen all the properties and accompany you to the opens, they listen to all feedback and tailor offerings accordingly. Once we had selected a property, they were so thorough, looking at reports and liaising with the agents, quite literally digging in to everything to make sure the property was as good as it looked. And it has to be said, their negotiation skills are brilliant. If you are unsure if you want to use a buyers agent just go and talk to them. They are generous with their time and advice and they don’t put any pressure on you. I can confidently say they saved me and my family way more than their fee and I would happily work with them again.

Cohen handler in Manuka were fantastic to deal with… James Alex and Ieuan made finding our first home such a stress free experience and there knowledge in the industry came in so useful as we really didn’t no much about certain things and they were brilliant and explaining it back to us, they listened to all our requests and made everything as straight forward as possible and found us our perfect home that ticket all our boxes and all still within our budget, couldn’t recommend the lads enough, will definitely be using them for our investment property in a few years, cheers lads

My partner and I engaged James and Ieuan from Cohen Handler Canberra in mid August to assist us in buying our first home. We’re now a week into September and have already exchanged contracts on a pre market sale in our desired area and for a great price. The expert advice and access to pre market properties is an absolute game changer. Thank you James and Ieuan, we are very happy customers.

Jimmy, Alex, and Ieuan were fantastic buyer’s agents. They really listened to exactly what we were looking for and provided us with so many great options to help us find our dream home. Their knowledge of the industry and the Canberra market is unmatched, and I couldn’t recommend them more highly to any other first-home buyers out there.

TL; DR: Buying a house from overseas or interstate? Stress-free and seamless thanks to Alexander and James! Their expert guidance, market insight, and post-purchase support made the impossible feel easy. We trusted them so much, we bought sight unseen. It was the best decision we made. When my husband and I decided to buy a home while living overseas, we weren’t even sure it was possible. But after hearing a colleague’s success story, we reached out to a few buyer’s agents in Canberra, and choosing Alexander and James was hands down the best decision we made. From the very first conversation, they made everything feel easy. They took the time to understand our needs; what was essential for our family and what would be a bonus, and then narrowed down the market to properties that were the best fit for us. Their insights into the Canberra property scene (Alexander) and building quality (James) were a powerful combo. They handled everything: inspections, detailed reviews of building reports, and honest assessments of each property. We trusted them so much that we bought our home without seeing it in person, and didn’t visit until a month after settlement! In fact, when we were on the fence about two properties we wanted, my husband and I trusted Alexander's 'one the ground' perspective and went with the one he thought was a better choice. And it definitely was. They negotiated a great price (more than covering their fee), saved us from dragging our children to endless weekend inspections, and helped us buy much sooner than expected. Even after the purchase, James coordinated trades to install new flooring, paint the house, and upgrade the heating. All we had to do was move in and unpack. If you’re on the fence, give them a call. We couldn’t be happier with our home or the experience. Alexander and James are the dream team you want on your side.

Alexander from Cohen Handler is the best — and only — buyer’s agent I’ll ever use. His professionalism, market knowledge, and attention to detail are unmatched. He made the entire process seamless and stress-free from start to finish. I always felt informed, supported, and in expert hands. An absolute pleasure to deal with — can’t recommend him highly enough!

If you're looking to utilise the services of a buyer's agent for the first time, this review will help you decide if this service is right for you. My Wife and I engaged Cohen and Handler as we had been discussing purchasing a property in Canberra for some time. However, our knowledge of the local property market was lacking. This is where a Buyer's agent shines. I searched various businesses based in Canberra but kept coming back to Cohen Handler because of their reviews across multiple websites (Google/Reddit/Facebook). Initially, we gave the Cohen Handler team a 6-month timeline. Cohen Handler delivered in just 47 days, including settlement (30 days). That is a feat that we could never have accomplished on our own. The level of professionalism and expertise helped us secure the perfect property. The price of the full service was very reasonable. In fact, of the initial budget of $900,000, we spent well under that, which means the cost of Cohen Handler was covered four times over.  So if you're serious about purchasing a property, I recommend reaching out to the team at Cohen Handler.

I have worked in customer service for over 40years and I believe in credit where credit is due. We can not speak highly enough of Alex & James from Cohen & Handler. Their professionalism and attention to detail is second to none. Our whole experience with them finding our forever home was a pleasure and seamless process. We would not hesitate to recommend them to any future buyers looking for their future home, you are in good hands. Denise & Colin

Jimmy and Alex made my buying experience incredibly smooth. I had a very broad criteria and a somewhat tight budget. The guys worked tirelessly to find the property I wanted, with their expertise being invaluable. Highly recommend

Working with Cohen Handler Canberra was a seamless and supportive experience. Alexander, James, and the team were incredibly professional, patient, and responsive. They really took the time to understand what I was looking for and guided me with clarity and care. Navigating the property market can be overwhelming, but their expertise made all the difference. From identifying the right properties to walking alongside me through every stage of the purchase, they were consistently reliable, reassuring, and highly knowledgeable. I’m grateful for their help and would gladly recommend them to anyone looking to buy.

Navigating the process of buying a home can be incredibly stressful, but working with James and Alexander made us feel completely supported and secure every step of the way. They consistently went above and beyond to ensure we were taken care of, and their guidance and expertise were invaluable. They were also genuinely enjoyable to work with. We truly believe that without their dedication and support, we wouldn't be living in the amazing home we have today. We wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking for exceptional buyers agents in Canberra.

After moving to the ACT from Victoria, we quickly realised just how different Canberra's property market is. That’s when we reached out to Cohen Handler, specifically Alexander and James, for their help. Alexander's deep knowledge of the local market, real estate agents, and buying processes made the whole experience so much easier—from finding the perfect home to reaching settlement. The Cohen Handler team in Canberra truly knows how to navigate the region’s unique property landscape. They gave us valuable advice, from recommending areas that suited us to suggesting the best property types, saving us time, effort, and even money. James gave us great insight about the building we ended up buying, which gave us confidence in our decision. We also really appreciated Alexander's upfront and honest approach—he didn’t shy away from pointing out potential drawbacks of certain properties, helping us make smarter choices. Thanks to their professionalism, knowledge, and honesty, buying our new home was way easier than we ever expected!

We had a very specific brief and a tight budget for the area we wanted to buy in, and Jimmy and Alex delivered. From day one, they listened carefully to what we were after and worked tirelessly to find us the right property — something we honestly didn’t think was possible in the location that we achieved in our budget. Without their strong network and deep relationships within the Canberra real estate scene, we simply wouldn’t have secured the home we did — let alone at the price we paid. In my opinion, we purchased well below market value, which is a testament to their experience, strategy and negotiation skills. The whole process was smooth, professional, and stress-free. We’re grateful to both Jimmy and Alex and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking to buy in Canberra.

I cannot overstate how much an investment into a buyer's agent like Cohen Handler Canberra has really paid off for us. First time using one, Alex and James have been a great team in supporting us the entire process. Helping us narrow down what we want and need - Alex would send us lots of great options using his real estate agent experience, and they would come to inspections to help guide us every step of the way. They handled the negotiations on our behalf. James' ex-builder knowledge came in very helpful in inspecting the house and preparing it for us after settlement. Full service was definitely full service.

We engaged Alexander Anlezark from Cohen Handler Canberra to find an investment property, and he surpassed our expectations. Leveraging his extensive network, he presented us with exclusive off-market opportunities while also being highly knowledgeable about all advertised properties. He meticulously analyzed each option, providing detailed reports and well-researched insights. Both Alexander and James Meli worked tirelessly on our behalf, ultimately helping us secure the perfect property. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and highly recommend Cohen Handler Buyers Agents.

I would highly recommend Alexander and James for finding your new home. They were able to secure us our dream home off market for an excellent price, well below what we expected to pay, and wrapped up the deal in 5 days. They were both incredibly responsive, professional and helpful and I couldn't be happier with their service. I would definitely engage them again for a future purchase.

Alex and James from Cohen Handler made the task of looking for our new home while in another state very stress free. Their access to the wide network of real estate agents and James being a builder/inspector gave us piece of mind that the house we purchased was the right one for us. We really appreciated their honest feedback and willingness to view properties in our behalf taking videos and providing their thoughts. We found a great house thanks to the work they did for us.

It is my first time engaging a buyer's agent, and I highly recommend Alex and James! They are friendly, efficient, and insightful. They recommended a beautiful house which suited my needs, and negotiated a great price!

I bought my first property with them, highly recommend!! Alex & James are a good team and makes sure you will find a place you're looking for. Being a first home buyer the process is overwhelming but they were patient and helpful on the process and stayed on top of things. They made my journey smooth and comfortable, I would definitely go with them again when I buy another property 😊

If you're like me, when contemplating whether to engage a buyers agent - such as James Meli and Alexander Anlezark - you wonder whether they will really 'earn their fee'. My experience with James and Alexander was optimal. They communicated regularly, worked promptly in response to my requests and queries, and yes, they saved me their fee many times over on my purchase. Not only did they find a property (and location) I would never have identified myself, but they turned around reports and advice in two days, then bid and negotiated an excellent price. Along the way I appreciated their expert and insightful advice on various properties, and their professional manner. I couldn't be happier with the result, and they will be my first call the next time I'm purchasing property in Canberra & Queanbeyan. If my experience is anything to go by, you will thank yourself for choosing to engage James and Alexander.