“Back then, everyone understood what a selling agent did, but very few people knew what a buyer’s agent was,” explains Melinda Jennison, President of REBAA. “The association was created to define that role, protect consumers, and establish standards for those of us working solely on behalf of property buyers.” BUILDING A NATIONAL VOICE After its national charter was registered in 2006, REBAA set out four guiding pillars that continue to define its mission today: 1. Creating public awareness of the buyer’s-agent role; 2. Establishing and enforcing professional standards; 3. Advocating for greater regulatory control and consumer protection; and 4. Providing a forum for education, learning, and shared best practice. From the outset, the association sought to differentiate true buyer advocacy—fee-for-service, independent, and client-focused—from so-called “buyers agents” who were effectively selling offthe-plan developments while claiming to represent purchasers. “Consumer protection has always been at the heart of what we do,” Jennison says.“Our goal was to create a professional body that people could trust and that governments could listen to.” PROFESSIONALISM AND MEMBERSHIP Today, REBAA counts just under 140 members across Australia. While the number of buyer’s-agent businesses has grown dramatically—particularly in the last five years—membership growth has been intentionally measured. “Membership isn’t automatic,” Jennison explains. “Applicants must have operated for at least 12 months and meet strict professional and ethical criteria. That ensures consumers can distinguish between experienced, compliant operators and those who may not yet meet the standard.” The process preserves the association’s credibility and keeps the REBAA brand synonymous with quality and trust. A FORUM FOR LEARNING AND CONNECTION REBAA members enjoy access to a members-only online forum, regular EDM updates, bi-monthly educational webinars, and an annual national conference—the only event in Australia dedicated exclusively to buyer’s agents. 157 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 REAL ESTATE BUYERS AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
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