The AFR is in meltdown defending its real estate buddies today (Domain being in business with them and all):
Real Estate Institute of NSW president Leanne Pilkington said she was left “horrified and speechless” over an “outrageous” competition run in NSW by fixed-fee agents Purplebricks to pressure vendors to lower their asking prices.
As revealed by The Australian Financial Review, Purplebricks offered $5000 cash prizes to agents who secured the most 5 per cent or more price reductions from their clients as the company tried to clear a growing list of unsold homes amid the slowing housing market.
In some instances agents of Purplebricks, which is not a member of the REINSW, pressured vendors into reducing asking prices by as much as 20 per cent in the space of a week as they competed for the $5000 prize “generously supported” by co-founder Kenny Bruce. In total more than 100 price reductions were secured as part of the “NSW Raffle”.
Earth to Ms Pilkington, prices are falling ever faster:
The sooner you sell the less profits or capital you will lose.