Australian parents are quietly rewriting the rules of the “Bank of Mum and Dad”, swapping risky loan guarantees and big cash gifts for something more strategic: professional help on the ground.
Instead of signing on to their children’s mortgages or handing over large lump sums, more families are paying buyers’ agents to guide first-home buyers through a brutal, highly competitive property landscape.
Real Estate Buyers Agent Association of Australia (REBAA) president Melinda Jennison said there has been a steady rise in first-home buyers arriving with expert advocates funded by their parents, The Courier Mail reported.
“It’s a shift that reflects a broader move toward more strategic forms of intergenerational support in a market where competition, complexity and price pressure remain high,” Jennison said.
New Wisr data shows Aussies entering 2026 more confident but still battling cost-of-living pressures and complex money decisions, driving demand for expert guidance.
With stock levels tight and demand still elevated, parents are increasingly wary of the financial exposure that comes with going guarantor or transferring large sums upfront.
“Parents are looking for ways to help without taking on the exposure that comes with going guarantor or providing large cash gifts. For many, covering a buyers’ agent’s fee feels like a practical, upfront investment that gives their children expert guidance from the very start,” Jennison said.
She said the trend marks a broader reset in how families think about homeownership support.
“Instead of stepping in with cash or loan guarantees, parents are choosing to invest in expertise that helps their children buy well from day one,” Jennison said.
The shift is particularly visible among fathers helping daughters into the market, who want someone experienced “in their corner” at inspections and auctions. They are seeking professionals who can “negotiate hard, spot red flags, and ensure they’re not overpaying, especially in hot markets,” Jennison said.
Beyond bidding tactics, buyers’ agents are unlocking off-market and pre-market listings that may never appear on the major portals. According to Jennison, “Professional negotiators often achieve stronger outcomes, including lower purchase prices, better contract terms, as well as access to properties that never reach public advertising or listing portals,” with savings in some cases offsetting the agent’s fee.
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