Homebuying reforms are opportunity for agents, says Avocado boss
The government’s proposed overhaul of the homebuying process should be seen as an opportunity and not a threat, according to Ian Macbeth, Co-Founder of self-employed brokerage, Avocado Property Partner Agents.
He says the reforms, which include mandatory upfront information for sellers, digital logbooks and early reservation agreements, could allow agents to redefine how they work and how they’re paid.
“If sellers are expected to do more preparation before listing, agents can justifiably charge part of their fee at that stage. This reflects the work that goes in from day one and signals genuine commitment from clients,” he said.
Better cash flow
Macbeth believes agents who embrace technology will be the biggest winners.
“Digital reservation tools and transparent workflows can help them move faster, reduce fall-throughs and give clients a clearer, calmer experience.
“Avocado has already seen agents using systems, such as Gazeal, significantly strengthen their pipelines.”
He suggests that faster transactions will also create a financial upside for the industry.
Quicker completions mean better cash flow, less wasted time and healthier businesses.
“These reforms could mark a major cultural shift in how property is sold. By adopting smarter tools and modernising fee structures, agents have the chance to raise standards, improve service and strengthen profitability – proving that what’s good for consumers can also be good for the industry,” he said.
“The theory behind this makes sense to me personally. I feel there should be a much higher level of quality and certainty in agents SSTC pipelines. If we can also see an increased speed in which transactions go through, then it’s a win win. However, it’s a big change and we all know how the implementation of HIPs went.”
