Brett Warren , National Director – Metropole Group
If you’ve ever fallen in love with a property only to watch it sell at auction for far more than anticipated, you’re not alone.
Underquoting – where the price guide doesn’t reflect the true selling price – has long frustrated homebuyers and investors alike.
And while recent media coverage has reignited the debate, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) is calling for clearer legislation and practical reforms to restore transparency.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait for policy changes to protect yourself. One of the smartest ways to sidestep the stress and guesswork of underquoting is to engage a professional buyers’ agent.
At Metropole, we’ve seen firsthand how buyers’ agents can level the playing field. We’re not just negotiators – we’re strategic partners who understand market dynamics, seller psychology, and the signs that indicate a property’s true value.
While the advertised price might be a teaser, we dig deeper, using data, experience, and relationships to uncover what a property is really worth – and what it’s likely to sell for.
Buyers’ agents also help you avoid emotional bidding wars. When competition heats up, it’s easy to get swept away and pay more than you intended. We act as your buffer, keeping your goals front and centre while navigating the auction or negotiation process with calm precision.
And in a market where housing affordability is already stretched, every dollar counts. That’s why we advocate for transparency, like the REIV’s recent suggestion of mandatory reserve price disclosure.
But until reforms are in place, having a buyers’ agent in your corner is your best defence.
Whether you’re a first homebuyer trying to get a fair go or an investor looking to make a strategic purchase, don’t go it alone. Underquoting may be a reality, but it doesn’t have to be your reality.
Let’s turn confusion into confidence and make your next property move a smart one.
