The Property Couch 568 | Buyer’s Agents Behaving Badly? The Good, The Bad, and The Dangerous – Chat with Melinda Jennison
Oct 16, 2025
Melinda Jennison, President of REBAA and a passionate buyers' agent, sheds light on the pros and cons of the burgeoning buyer's agent market. She discusses alarming red flags to watch for when hiring an agent, such as upfront fees and ghosting practices. Melinda highlights licensing loopholes that allow unqualified agents to operate across states. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of due diligence and the differentiation between genuine buyer's agents and misleading spruikers. Tune in for essential tips to safeguard your property investments!
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Surge Of New Buyer's Agents
- There are now thousands of buyer's agents in Australia, many entering rapidly over the past five years.
- Rapid churn means some operate briefly, harming consumers before exiting the market.
Licensing Loophole Creates Risks
- Queensland's fast licensing pathways let people become fully licensed quickly and then operate interstate via mutual recognition.
- That creates ethical and competence gaps because new licensees often lack local market knowledge.
Verify Local Licensing First
- Ask to see the buyer's agent's local licence for the state where you're buying before you sign anything.
- Verify they understand local contracts and laws because mutual recognition doesn't cover every situation.
