A Perth real estate agency has faced a furious backlash from Australians after sharing what many have labelled an 'offensive' and 'tone deaf' social media post. The post, which appeared to boast about a lengthy queue of prospective buyers, has ignited anger amidst the nation's severe housing affordability crisis.
Property Pair's Controversial Post
Perth Property Pair, operated by partners Lisa Caon and Ray D'Costa under the wider umbrella of The Agency, shared a photograph on Saturday showing a long line of people waiting to inspect a $700,000 property in the suburb of Balga, north of Perth. Accompanying the image was a caption that read: 'Market slowing down? Pffff, not a chance! We had the pleasure of meeting 120 people at our home opens today.'
Immediate Public Outcry
The response from the public was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Commenters on the post were quick to criticise the agents for being 'out of touch' with the harsh realities facing many Australians struggling to secure housing.
One commenter wrote: 'And real estate agents wonder why nobody likes them.' Another added: 'I am sure it's a pleasure for them to line up, wondering if they will have a house to live in or not?' The sentiment was echoed by others who found the post insensitive, with one stating: 'I'd be walking straight back if an agent started taking photos of me lining up.'
Further criticism highlighted the perceived callousness of the post. 'The pleasure of meeting 120 stressed out poor people,' one person remarked. Another compared the agents to 'vultures showing a photo of a dead animal.' A succinct comment simply advised: 'Dude, read the room.'
Agents' Attempted Clarification
In response to the growing anger, Ms Caon and Mr D'Costa edited their post the following day in an attempt to clarify their intentions and mitigate the damage. They added a statement saying: 'In response to people that read this as offensive, it is certainly not aimed in that way.'
The agents explained that after seeing fewer people at home opens in December and January, they had assumed the market might be calming down. The large turnout at this particular viewing proved otherwise. They stated: 'There is limited amount of homes for sale across Perth which is why we see so many people at home opens. Yes, this is a good outcome for sellers but not for buyers.'
They insisted the post was not meant as a brag, writing: 'This post is not us bragging - this type of turn out at a home open is not a result driven by us as agents, it is purely the way the current market is.'
Backlash Continues Amid Housing Crisis
However, the added clarification did little to quell the criticism, with many still viewing the original post as profoundly insensitive. The backlash comes against the backdrop of a severe housing crisis gripping Perth and much of Australia. A critical shortage of accommodation continues to fuel skyrocketing prices, placing immense pressure on buyers and renters alike.
Recent data underscores the severity of the situation. According to figures from Realestate.com.au, the median price to buy a house in Perth has reached a five-year high of $1,319,750. This marks a staggering increase from just $800,000 in January 2021. The situation for units is similarly dire, with the median price now sitting at $570,000, compared to $410,000 over the same period.
Agents Defend Their Intentions
In subsequent comments to local media, Ms Caon and Mr D'Costa defended their actions, stating their post was never intended to belittle the struggles of those searching for a home. 'We weren't trying to make fun of the situation... the post was misinterpreted,' the pair told PerthNow.
They reiterated that their goal was to inform the public about the ongoing challenges in the buyer's market. 'It was purely to let the public know the market is still extremely difficult for buyers because of the amount of people who are going through a home,' they explained. The agents expressed their own surprise at the large turnout, saying they had 'thought the market was actually having a bit of a turn and coming down a bit,' but were 'quite shocked' by the queue.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about perception and sensitivity within the real estate industry during a period of national housing stress. The Daily Mail has contacted both Perth Property Pair and The Agency for further comment on the controversy.
