Anyone looking to buy a home will know the frustration of finding what looks like the perfect property, only to discover there’s no price listed. Instead, buyers are met with the familiar words: contact agent.
It’s a practice that’s become increasingly common but one that’s set to change in NSW from November 17, 2026.
In a video discussing the changes, mortgage broker Tom Hawley explains why some agents prefer buyers to make contact rather than simply browse a price guide: “A lot of the time the agents are wanting you to get in touch rather than just have a look at the guide so they can actually speak to buyers and understand what their motives are, what they’re looking for, so they can actually build a relationship with you and see if they can help you to find properties.”
While withholding a price might encourage buyers to make contact with an agent, it can make the property search considerably more difficult. For those scrolling through endless listings within a specific budget, not knowing whether a home is within their price range can be a significant barrier.
Buyers I spoke to described it as one of their biggest frustrations when searching for a home.
What do the new NSW property price guide laws mean for buyers?
From November 17, 2026, new residential property sale advertisements in NSW will be required to include a price guide. Agents will no longer be able to hide the price behind ‘contact agent’ or ‘expressions of interest’ labels.
Price guides will also be restricted to a maximum range of 10 per cent, meaning agents won’t be able to use excessively wide price brackets.
Agents or corporations who fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to $110,000 or three times the agent’s commission, whichever is higher.
Could the new property price guide laws extend beyond NSW?
While the changes currently apply only to NSW properties, some industry figures would like to see the rules adopted nationally.
Simon Pintado, director and auctioneer at Buxton Bentleigh, has never been a fan of the ‘contact agent’ approach.
“I’ve never listed a property as ‘contact agent’, and I never will. Buying a home is usually one of the biggest financial decisions someone will make in their life, and they deserve the information to make it an informed one,” he told Home Beautiful.
“For too long, agents have been the gatekeepers of information. That doesn’t work anymore. Buyers expect transparency, and they’re right to. Buyers are the ones who benefit. Should this roll out nationally? Absolutely, why not? Name another asset you’d buy that doesn’t come with a price.”
For NSW buyers, the days of wondering whether a property is within their budget are about to be over.
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