Parents are shifting how they support first home buyer children, increasingly paying for buyers’ agents rather than handing over cash or going guarantor on loans, according to the Real Estate Buyers Agent Association of Australia (REBAA).
REBAA President Melinda Jennison said there had been a steady rise in first home buyers whose parents are choosing to fund professional representation.
“It’s a shift that reflects a broader move toward more strategic forms of intergenerational support in a market where competition, complexity and price pressure remain high,” Ms Jennison said.
“Parents are looking for ways to help without taking on the exposure that comes with going guarantor or providing large cash gifts.
“For many, covering a buyers’ agent’s fee feels like a practical, upfront investment that gives their children expert guidance from the very start.”
Ms Jennison said the shift is particularly noticeable among fathers supporting their daughters.
“They want their daughters to have someone in their corner – someone who can negotiate hard, spot red flags, and ensure they’re not overpaying, especially in hot markets,” she said.
Parents are also increasingly aware of the practical advantages that buyers’ agents can deliver for first home buyers, she said.
“Professional negotiators often achieve stronger outcomes, including lower purchase prices, better contract terms, as well as access to properties that never reach public advertising or listing portals,” she said.
“The savings achieved through skilled negotiation can, in many cases, offset the cost of the buyers’ agent fee.”
Ms Jennison said access to off-market and pre-market opportunities via buyers’ agents had also become a major drawcard for parents who feel their children are being outpaced by more experienced homebuyers and investors.
“With stock levels tight and with the First Home Guarantee supercharging demand, buyers’ agents are unlocking opportunities that first home buyers simply wouldn’t have access to on their own,” she said.
“Parents also want their children to avoid costly mistakes, such as rushing into unsuitable or poor performing properties because of the demand and supply imbalance in many markets.
“They see professional support as one way to protect them from making emotional decisions – especially at auction.”
Ms Jennison said the shift signals a broader change in how parents are thinking about helping the next generation into home ownership.
“Instead of stepping in with cash or loan guarantees, parents are choosing to invest in expertise that helps their children buy well from day one,” she said.
“It’s a more sustainable, lower-risk way to support first home buyers in challenging markets around the nation.”
ENDS
For more information or to organise an interview with Ms Jennison please contact:
Bricks & Mortar Media | media@bricksandmortarmedia.com.au | 0405 801 979
