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Victoria Implements New Rules Requiring Property Reserve Price Disclosure

Source: Victoria to force agents to publish property reserve prices in crackdown on underquoting (2025-11-20)

Victoria to enforce mandatory publication of property reserve prices, strengthening transparency in real estate transactions Victoria is taking a significant step to combat underquoting in the property market by mandating that real estate agents publish reserve prices for properties. This new regulation aims to enhance transparency, protect buyers, and ensure fairer market practices. Under the updated guidelines, agents must now disclose the reserve price—a minimum price acceptable to the seller—before auctions, providing buyers with clearer expectations and reducing the likelihood of misleading estimates. This move aligns with broader efforts across Australia to improve market integrity and consumer confidence in real estate transactions. In addition to the reserve price requirement, recent developments in Victoria’s property market include the introduction of stricter penalties for non-compliance, increased oversight by regulatory bodies, and the adoption of advanced data analytics to monitor underquoting trends. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to create a more transparent and equitable housing market, especially as property prices continue to rise amid ongoing demand. Recent facts that complement this initiative include: 1. The Victorian government has allocated over AUD 10 million to fund enforcement and compliance activities related to property advertising standards. 2. A new digital platform will be launched to allow buyers to access real-time data on property reserve prices and previous auction outcomes. 3. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued guidelines urging agents nationwide to adopt similar transparency practices. 4. Market analysts report that transparency measures like reserve price disclosures can reduce auction price gaps by up to 15%. 5. Consumer advocacy groups have praised the move, citing increased buyer confidence and reduced underquoting incidents as key benefits. This regulatory shift is expected to influence not only Victorian real estate practices but also set a precedent for other Australian states. By requiring the publication of reserve prices, authorities aim to curb underquoting—an issue that has historically led to inflated buyer expectations and market distortions. Industry experts believe that these reforms will foster a more competitive and fair environment, ultimately benefiting both buyers and sellers. As the property market evolves, ongoing monitoring and adaptive policies will be crucial to ensure these measures achieve their intended outcomes, promoting transparency, fairness, and trust in Australia’s housing sector.

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