1. Real Estate Agents Represent the Seller—Not You
The biggest mistake first home buyers make is assuming the real estate agent is on their side. Veronica and Meighan make it clear: agents are legally and professionally obligated to serve the seller's interests. Their job is to secure the highest price and most favourable terms for the vendor—not to help you get a bargain or steer you toward the right property. That's why expecting transparency or impartial advice from the selling agent can set you up for disappointment.

What can buyers do? Recognise this fundamental truth and adjust your expectations accordingly. If you treat the agent as a salesperson rather than a trusted adviser, you'll be better prepared to filter their information and protect your interests.

2. Ask Smart Questions—and Fact-Check Everything
It's not enough to take property brochures or verbal information at face value. Meighan introduces a vital rule of thumb: treat everything the agent tells you as a rumour until independently verified. This includes marketing claims like land size, aspect (north-facing or not), renovations, or whether a property has approvals and compliance certificates.

Veronica shares jaw-dropping examples of misrepresentation, including properties where illegal building work was marketed as compliant or land sizes were overstated. The scary part? These weren't necessarily deliberate lies—sometimes even agents don't know the full truth. That's why due diligence is your job as a buyer. The episode hammers home that you need to verify approvals, check sewer diagrams, confirm legal use of additions, and scrutinise any agent claims before committing.

3. Learn to Decode "Agent Speak"
Real estate agents are trained in the art of persuasion. Their language is carefully crafted to address objections and steer buyers toward making offers. This technique, known as "puffery," can mask genuine issues or limitations in a property.
For example, agents might say "you can always install air con" in a hot, poorly ventilated room or "they won't be little forever" when justifying separated bedrooms for young children. Veronica and Meighan explain how agents use scripts and emotional appeals to reframe flaws as manageable or even desirable. Buyers need to be alert to these tactics and focus on whether a home genuinely suits their lifestyle, not just how it's pitched.

4. Understand Their Selling Process—Don't Assume Anything
Every real estate agent, property owner, and sale method is different. One of the most important lessons in the episode is that buyers must understand how each agent runs their sales process. That includes how offers are handled, how auctions are run, and how communication is managed.
Veronica and Meighan stress that assuming all agents work the same way can leave you blind to important opportunities—or vulnerable to pressure. This knowledge helps you plan when to make an offer, how to negotiate strategically, and what signals to look for. Without it, you risk missing out on your dream property simply because you didn't understand the playing field.

5. Don't Let the Sales Process Deter You From a Good Property
Many buyers let emotion or confusion about the sales process influence whether they pursue a property. Some walk away just because an agent was rude or because the property is going to auction. Others back out when competition heats up, mistakenly believing they've already lost.
Veronica and Meighan call this a classic case of "cutting off your nose to spite your face." Just because the process feels uncomfortable doesn't mean the property isn't right for you. If you've done your due diligence and know the property suits your needs and budget, don't let fear of auction or negotiating turn you away. In fact, less competition at the right moment (the "Steven Bradbury moment," as they call it) could actually work in your favour.

Bonus Insight: Why Buyer's Agents Aren't Always the Easy Fix
Engaging a buyer's agent might sound like the perfect solution to avoiding sales agents altogether—but the episode gives a reality check. Not all buyer's agents are created equal. Some lack the depth of experience or knowledge needed to protect buyers properly, and the wrong one could cost you even more than you save.

Veronica and Meighan recommend that if you are going to hire a buyer's agent, you must know how to choose a good one. Episode 32 of the podcast dives deep into this, and their online course arms you with the skills to evaluate any professional you're thinking of engaging.

Why This Episode Matters for First Home Buyers
Buying your first home is often the biggest financial decision you'll ever make—and most of your information will come from people who don't work for you. Understanding how to deal with real estate agents when buying a house empowers you to protect your budget, your time, and your future. With insider stories, practical scripts, and cautionary tales, Episode 121 is a must-listen for any buyer who wants to play smart in a sales-heavy environment.

👉 Ready to get started? Check out THE First Home Buyer Course.