Representation Matters: A Case for Buyers and Sellers Alike

In real estate, both buyers and sellers have the opportunity to be represented by professionals during a transaction, yet it’s often the sellers who are better represented. However, in this particular case, the roles were reversed. The sellers, choosing to self-represent, ultimately felt unsupported and frustrated by the process. As buyer’s agents, we were there to protect and guide our clients, ensuring they had the professional expertise needed to navigate the complexities of the purchase. This case highlights how, when one party is unrepresented, they can be left feeling overwhelmed, a situation many buyers face when they don’t have the support of a professional agent.

The sellers initially reached out to us after seeing a post we made on a real estate Facebook community page, seeking properties that suited our client’s brief. They decided to self-represent after expressing dissatisfaction with their sales agents. While this may have appeared to be a cost-saving decision, it soon became evident that the sellers were unprepared for the complexities of the process. Their emotional attachment to the property exacerbated communication challenges, which complicated negotiations. Without professional representation, they quickly became frustrated and isolated as the transaction progressed.

Our role was to shield our clients from these challenges and ensure their best interests were always protected. During our due diligence process, we uncovered several significant issues with the property, including the fact that the entire building and plumbing were not council approved. This discovery essentially meant that we were negotiating for what could have been a $2 million pool as this was the only approval issued. These are the types of issues that, without professional oversight, buyers can easily miss, leading to potentially costly consequences down the line.

By identifying these problems early, we worked closely with our clients’ conveyancers to ensure they were well-informed and able to make sound decisions. Our diligence provided our clients with the time and clarity to understand what they were purchasing and how to address the issues. Throughout the transaction, we adhered to the conveyancer’s advice and processes, ensuring our clients’ best interests were always safeguarded. While some might expect high-level communication between buyer’s agents and sellers, this is typically managed through legal professionals to maintain transparency and uphold contract conditions. Our priority is always the buyer, and our communication is structured around ensuring their needs are met.

Despite the fact my clients have now purchased the property after being fully informed, the sellers have expressed their frustration through multiple reviews. These reviews are disappointing and do not reflect the quality of work we provided to our clients, the buyers. It’s important to note that these sellers were not our clients and did not use our services. Their frustration largely stemmed from the issues uncovered during the transaction, rather than from any shortcomings on our part. We do not receive any payment from sellers, and our responsibility is solely to the buyer, ensuring that they are protected throughout the process.

Our clients, who were both working full-time and traveling overseas during this transaction, were under significant stress. However, because of the support we consistently provided, and the thorough due diligence conducted, they felt confident knowing we were available to them at any time of day or night to alleviate their concerns. With our guidance, they understood the full scope of what they were purchasing and had time to navigate the complexities of the property’s issues.

This case underscores the importance of having professional representation in real estate transactions. Both buyers and sellers benefit from the expertise, experience, and guidance that professionals provide. When one party is unrepresented, as the sellers were in this case, the process can become overwhelming, leading to frustration. For our clients, having a dedicated buyer’s agent meant they were well-prepared, protected, and confident in their decision, no matter the challenges that arose along the way.