Information for real estate agents
The Department of Housing is inviting Brisbane real estate agents to participate in a 12 to 18 month Home Access information trial. Participating in the trial and providing the department with feedback will provide agents with the opportunity to influence how access-related information is identified and promoted by the real estate industry in the future.
How agents can participate in the trial
All agents have to do to participate in the trial is to contact the department to get a free copy of the Home Access checklist and promotional materials. Copies of fact sheets developed for the trial are also available.
Participating in the trial involves four simple steps for agents:
- Complete the Home Access checklist. The checklist has three main questions to help you identify properties eligible to be promoted with the text ‘access features’. The checklist also allows you to record additional access information for your customers. This includes measuring the door widths between the main living areas, noting whether the toilet is within the bathroom and if there is a step-free shower.
- Showcase the access features that you have identified in your property photos. This means prospective buyers and tenants can view these features prior to an actual visit, potentially saving you both time by reducing the number of unsuccessful property viewings.
- Promote eligible properties as having ‘access features’ in all your property promotions, including window advertisements, flyers, newspapers and magazine advertising and the internet. You could also promote some of the access features that you have identified. For example, ‘the bathroom has a step-free shower’.
- Let prospective buyers and tenants know that you have access information available by using the desk signage and window stickers provided by the department.
If you decide to participate, the department will support you throughout the trial by adding your agency to the list of participating agents. This list informs prospective customers as to which Brisbane real estate agents may have home access information available.
In addition, the department will place advertisements and editorials in the property sections of Brisbane newspapers, relevant real estate magazines and community publications to explain what it means when a property is advertised as having ‘access features’ and how to contact participating real estate agents.
Potential benefits for agents
Participating in the trial may benefit your business in a variety of ways, including:
- increasing word of mouth promotion as buyers and tenants tell their friends and family how much easier it was to search for a home with the access information that you were able to provide them;
- establishing your agency as having a good understanding of access issues by assisting you to respond to property access queries more easily. The Home Access Checklist can be quickly completed during your property inspection, and then used as a reference when customers enquire about a property’s access features; and
- saving time by reducing the number of unsuccessful property viewings. Customers can be made aware of property access features before viewing and make a more informed decision on which properties to visit.
Already registered in the trial?
If your agency is already participating you may find our fact sheets useful.
Printed versions of these tools are available from the Department of Housing.
Last updated 05 June 2007
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