The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

Episodes

Episode 450: Buyers Agents Are Everywhere—But Who’s Actually Good?

Australia’s buyers agency industry has grown rapidly, attracting more consumers and a new wave of professionals looking to build careers in property. But entering the profession and becoming genuinely good at the job are two very different things.

With inconsistent buyers agent industry standards and regulation, questions are growing around experience, accountability, and what consumers should expect from the people representing them.

In this episode, Bryce Holdaway joins Veronica and Chris to unpack how to become a buyers agent in Australia with the skills and experience to deliver genuine value. They look at why getting licensed is only the beginning, and why learning the craft—from due diligence and negotiation to understanding clients and local markets—can take years.

They also examine how borderless property investing has changed and why operating across unfamiliar markets without genuine local expertise can create serious risks. From buying property sight unseen to navigating different legislation and buying processes between states, the conversation highlights why knowing a market properly matters.

Veronica, Chris and Bryce also challenge some of the marketing tactics that have become common across the profession, including promises of securing an off market property and silver-bullet investment strategies. They question whether current buyers agent licensing and oversight go far enough, and what happens when an operator becomes better at attracting clients than actually advising them.

So what actually makes a good buyers agent, and how does the industry rebuild consumer trust? Listen now for a candid look at where the profession is heading, what needs to change, and why the next generation needs to get serious about the craft—not just the marketing.

Episode Highlights

02:04 — Why Did Bryce and Veronica Join Forces Again?

06:43 — Can Regulation Really Fix Buyer’s Agency?

09:14 — Is Marketing Getting Ahead of the Craft?

11:22 — Why You Can’t Fake Local Market Expertise

16:09 — Who Pays When Buyer’s Agents Lack Experience?

19:12 — Could the Budget Be Good for Buyer’s Agency?

24:15 — Stop Copying Others: Find Your Own Differentiation

27:41 — Why More Information Isn’t the Answer

30:19 — Why Good Buyer’s Agents Need to Say No

33:42 — Why Community and Accountability Matter

35:14 — Where Are You: Start, Grow or Scale?

38:12 — The Skills Buyer’s Agents Will Need Next

43:30 — Is “Snake Oil” Damaging Buyer’s Agency?

47:42 — Rebuilding Trust in the Buyer’s Agent Industry

51:36 — What Needs to Change From Here?

About the Guest

Bryce Holdaway is a buyer’s agent, property expert, author, speaker, television presenter and business executive with decades of experience in Australia’s property industry. Originally trained as an accountant in Perth, Bryce discovered an interest in property while working with investment property clients before making the move into buyer’s advocacy and building a career focused on helping Australians make better property decisions.

Over his career, Bryce has built significant experience across property investment, buyer’s advocacy and business growth, including building a business with more than 130 staff and over $25 million in revenue. His experience spans investor-focused and owner-occupier property buying, interstate markets, team development and the systems required to build a sustainable property business.

Bryce has now reunited professionally with Veronica through Buyer’s Agent Mastery, an initiative focused on helping buyer’s agents strengthen their skills, businesses and client outcomes. Their aim is to bring greater leadership and professional standards to a rapidly growing industry while helping the next generation of buyer’s agents learn from the experience of those who have already built long-term careers in the field.

Connect with Bryce

Resources:

Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au

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Chris Bates