Why Is Real Estate Full of Lies?!
If you're living in Sydney, it’s almost inevitable: you will, at some point, come face-to-face with the real estate industry—whether as a renter, landlord, buyer, or seller.
And sadly (yes, I say “sadly” with intention), while I’m deeply passionate about helping people find the right property, I also hear far too many painful stories from buyers who’ve been burned before they come to me.
Let’s talk about the most classic lies I hear repeatedly from frustrated buyers:
“The price guide was $1.8m” … and then it sold at auction for $2.7m.
“If your budget is $2m, you should definitely be at the auction!” … it passed in at $2.3m.
“The strata levies are going down next year” … with no evidence whatsoever.
“We buy 90% of our properties off-market” … usually just means Buyer's Agents overpaying to get the deal done.
How to Cut Through the Crap (Quickly)
Ignore price guides. Instead, look at actual sales of comparable properties nearby.
Don’t ask for the price guide— ask: “At what price is the vendor a seller?”
Strata truth? It's in the AGM minutes. Read the strata report—don't rely on agents’ claims.
Work with a buyer's agent who works for you to help you find the perfect property—on-market, off-market, or pre-market. Just be cautious of the “we buy 90% off-market” crowd; that often means paying too much, too fast.
A Quick Reality Check
Yes, there are amazing agents out there—professionals who tell the truth and work hard to get great results for their clients. But the painful stories are far too common. And that’s the problem.
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions you’ll ever make. It deserves transparency and integrity—not manipulation or spin.
As I recently heard the judge say in the Erin Patterson trial:
“This is a court of law, not a court of morals.”
Real estate may be governed by law, but that doesn’t guarantee people will morally do right by you—especially if you’re not paying them to represent your interests.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just watching from the sidelines, stay smart, stay skeptical, and never be afraid to ask the hard questions.
