A Brisbane real estate agent has exposed some shocking behaviour during open home inspections, shedding light on the frustrations and disrespect that can arise in today’s competitive property market.
Incidents range from tampering with personal spaces to outright vandalism, leaving homeowners and agents grappling with the fallout.
Mitch Wakeham, of Harcourts Connections, called out the disgusting” behaviour of a woman who came to inspect a renovated acreage home at Forestdale, then proceeded to “p*ss on the lounge”.
The luxury cream sofa, valued at approximately $10,000, was left irreparably damaged. The six-bedroom, three-bathroom home, listed at offers over $1.7 million, was attracting strong interest from buyers, with seven groups attending the open home that day.
Such instances highlight the increasing pressure and tensions among buyers in a fiercely competitive housing market.
“The lack of respect buyers are showing to agents and sellers lately is abhorrent,” Mr Wakeham said, adding that his team has been instructed to take firm action to ensure inspections remain professional and safe. “Agents need to stand up for themselves and remove disruptive individuals if necessary.”
In addition to extreme buyer behaviour, Mr Wakeham pointed to other challenges faced during inspections.
These include neighbours attempting to sabotage open homes by blasting loud music, rival agents sending individuals to point out non-existent flaws in properties, and even invasive acts like installing hidden cameras in bathrooms.
On one occasion, a group of young men drove by an open home and harassed a female agent welcoming attendees.
As property prices continue to soar, particularly in Brisbane, frustrations among buyers are becoming more evident.
The city’s median property price reached $863,000 in December, a significant rise that has further priced out many prospective homeowners. In Forestdale, the typical house price hit $1.535 million — a 28% increase from the previous year.
“Buyers are extremely picky now,” Mr Wakeham explained.
“With the cost of housing so high, people want perfection for what they’re spending each month on their mortgage. But the reality is that the perfect home either doesn’t exist or is beyond most buyers’ budgets.”
Adding to the complexity, Mr Wakeham noted that some buyers are now reluctant to disclose their budgets, with a growing number walking out of auctions before their final bids are confirmed.
“It’s strange behaviour, but it’s reflective of the challenging market conditions we’re in,” he said.
Despite the difficulties, Mr Wakeham remains committed to ensuring inspections are a safe and respectful environment for all parties involved, urging buyers to consider the impact of their actions on sellers and agents alike.
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