Monday, 16th March 2026.
The NSW Government has recently announced legislation to mandate price disclosure on real estate advertising. It will require agents to include price guides on all listings, alongside comparable sales data and suburb median prices, as part of wider efforts to crack down on underquoting. The reforms also carry higher consequences, with penalties for underquoting set to increase substantially.
For a market where trust between buyers, sellers and agents is integral, these reforms are a meaningful step forward. Over a decade ago we led the way on publishing price guides as standard, and introduced complimentary building, pest and strata reports for buyers, funded entirely by BresicWhitney. We were the first agency to do so, and are pleased to see the broader industry now moving in this direction.
Buyers deserve clarity and honesty at every stage of the process. As do sellers. Misleading price estimates waste time and erode confidence on both sides. They also carry a broader cost for the industry. As a service-based profession, our collective reputation depends on the trust of the communities we serve. Accountability plays a critical role in ensuring the highest standards are upheld. The longevity of our profession will continue to be shaped by the value we add, particularly in an increasingly digital age.
Many agents and agencies understand this, and if you have participated in the Sydney property market, you will have likely felt it through experience. At BresicWhitney, serving both buyers and sellers is a fundamental truth of our business. The strength of what we do relies on a genuinely customer-centric approach, as does our ability to invest in and retain people who care deeply about their work.
Standardising the publishing of price guides creates a fairer foundation, but the market has its own forces, and these are worth understanding. Inner Sydney remains among the most sought-after markets in the country, with demand that has historically and consistently outpaced supply. Method of sale is also subject to its own nuance. Auctions are designed by their very nature to create competition by bringing interested parties together. That is not a flaw in the system. While auctions are not suitable for every sale or customer, we regularly see both parties reach outcomes they are genuinely satisfied with through the process.
More transparency does not resolve every market complexity, nor does it strive to, but it sets a standard the industry has long needed. It’s part of a wider shift already underway. Method of sale is one example: where auctions used to dominate, we now see an increasing number of properties selling prior to auction, alongside a growing prevalence of off-market or off-portal transactions, which account for around 20 per cent of BresicWhitney sales annually. Another example is representation: the growing role of buyers’ agents in recent years reflects an ecosystem with greater choice and advocacy.
These reforms represent a meaningful move towards greater transparency and consistency in NSW real estate, both of which are necessary to continue delivering a balanced and accessible market. Potential legislation shifts in other states, such as Victoria, may mandate the disclosure of auction reserves, sold property prices, and the standardisation of property reports as funded by sellers. These reflect a wider national conversation that will continue to unfold - relevant for all Australians, whether you’re participating in the market now or in the future.
We have believed for more than twenty years that we owe it to our communities to add genuine value and serve the people within them. We look forward to seeing these reforms take shape in NSW, and continuing to play our part.
