Written and Compiled by Neil Jenman
Reading time: Apx 7 mins
It’s an undeniable truth: Respected research shows that 93% of Australians do not trust real estate agents.
And here’s another undeniable truth: The reviews of almost all agents listed on a website called RateMyAgent (which is wholly funded by agents) show that these real estate agents are loved and adored by around 99% of Australians.
Which leads to another undeniable truth: RateMyAgent is a sham. It should be known as FakeMyAgent.
The reason is simple: When a real estate agency or group tells the public that it has a 99% client satisfaction rate – when the truth is often closer to the direct opposite – then that agency or group is misleading real estate consumers.
Fortunately, however, consumers are now waking up the truth of fake real estate review ratings.
Oh sure, RateMyAgent claims that it “does not allow fake reviews”.
That may be true.
But what RateMyAgent does not clearly tell consumers is that it also does not allow thousands of genuine negative reviews.
This means that most real estate consumers who deal with most of Australia’s real estate agents and who then try to leave a negative review on RateMyAgent find themselves unable to do so. For more information on this topic, see our recent article (June 24) titled Real Estate Reviews.
Or read the excellent article written by Fairfax journalist, Elias Visontay, called ‘Legal threats, backend hacks: How real estate agents can block honest reviews.’
So, where do consumers go if they want the truth about what past clients think of current real estate agents?
Obviously, they need to research reviews that are appearing on websites that are not funded by real estate agents.
Websites such as Product Review (productreview.com.au).
Below, in descending order (least negative to most negative) are 20 real estate groups with reviews on Product Review as of July 1, 2026.
Please note: At the end of this article, I reveal some real estate companies (not major real estate groups or agents) with high positive ratings.
Well done to these companies.
And, to the 20 real estate groups that appear here, your first instinct is likely to be to attack me as the author of this article.
You may threaten me – legally or physically. That’s your decision. But all the information written here is sourced directly from online reviews from consumers. Attack them too.
But I suggest, instead, that you think it over.
Rather than doing what you have been doing to me – and anyone else in the real estate industry who reveals what goes on – which is known as “shooting the messenger” – you might like to consider a different strategy.
Such as treating your clients better.
Get rid of auctions and VPA. And learn how to negotiate. It all begins with caring for the people who trust you with their greatest asset. It means putting the interests of your clients ahead of your own interests.
As W Somerset Maugham said, “Goodness is the most powerful force in the world.”
Try goodness and you won’t have to pay a website like RateMyAgent to block negative reviews because your reviews will then be positive.
34% NEGATIVE (66% POSITIVE)
Rating 3.8/5
32 Reviews
37% NEGATIVE (63% POSITIVE)
Rating 3.2/5
807 Reviews
49% NEGATIVE (51% POSITIVE)
Rating 2.7/5
1,789 Reviews
51% NEGATIVE (49% POSITIVE)
Rating 3.5/5
727 Reviews
68% NEGATIVE (32% POSITIVE)
Rating 2.9/5
936 Reviews
74% NEGATIVE (26% POSITIVE)
Rating 2.3/5
119 Reviews
76% NEGATIVE (24% POSITIVE)
Rating 2.1/5
83 Reviews
78% NEGATIVE (22% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.9/5
55 Reviews
80% NEGATIVE (20% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.9/5
209 Reviews
83% NEGATIVE (17% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.9/5
384 Reviews
83% NEGATIVE (17% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.9/5
103 Reviews
85% NEGATIVE (15% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.8/5
157 Reviews
85% NEGATIVE (15% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.8/5
313 Reviews
85% NEGATIVE (15% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.8/5
368 Reviews
85% NEGATIVE (15% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.7/5
140 Reviews
86% NEGATIVE (14% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.6/5
199 Reviews
89% NEGATIVE (11% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.5/5
66 Reviews
90% NEGATIVE (10% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.7/5
91 Reviews
92% NEGATIVE (8% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.4/5
33 Reviews
95% NEGATIVE (5% POSITIVE)
Rating 1.3/5
19 Reviews
The real estate group with the lowest number of negative reviews (JOHNSON REAL ESTATE) is the only group that supports the ‘Pay Only on Success’ method for home sellers. I am pleased to have had some influence with this group’s culture in the past; however, I am so disappointed that I seem unable to convince most agents that good client care is good business.
Agents, here is an undeniable fact: Results are everything. And the fact is that the entire real estate industry is distrusted – even detested – by more than 90 per cent of consumers.
Does it make you feel good to be part of such a distrusted group of people?
Well, if not, then do something about it.
Instead of abusing Neil Jenman (and now my two sons, Alec Jenman and Harry Jenman), why don’t you start treating your clients well? Scrap that unethical VPA (Vendor Paid Advertising) scam. Stop doing public auctions and convert to private auctions.
And finally – for your sakes and your clients’ sakes – study negotiation.
If you do these things – which means focus on doing what’s best for your clients – word will spread. You will start to get genuinely positive reviews.
Most consumers are good and decent people. Treat them well and they will be incredibly grateful. And loyal. They will write positive reviews about you. They will tell their family and friends about you.
And then, when new clients smile at you and say that you are “not like the other agents” you can truly feel proud that you are an agent who truly places the interests of clients ahead of your own interests.
Here’s a fact that most home sellers never discover. If you go to a typical real estate agent to sell your home, it will cost you several thousand dollars regardless of whether your home is sold or not.
This is because most real estate agents have deals with the website companies where they commit to “upgrade” all sellers to premium cost advertising. Which, in most cases, in not only ineffective, but completely needless. Indeed, too much advertising can quickly damage the value of a home.
But, if you go to a private sale company, your home can be listed on the same websites for hundreds of dollars not thousands of dollars.
As we have been saying for many years, in many (if not most) cases, home sellers can get a better result selling their own homes. In most cases, there is no need for a real estate agent.
Most homes sell themselves.
Most agents do nothing except stand at the front door for 30 minutes (out of 10,080 minutes in a week).
No one knows your home better than you. Surely you can show your home to someone and detect if they like it. Indeed, if they do like it, the buyers will quickly tell you.
If you cannot find a great agent – in other words, an agent who charges you NOTHING until your home is sold and you are happy with the price and the service, then we urge you to consider selling your home without an agent.
Give us a call and we’ll show you how to do it. We will talk you through the steps. We will not ask you for any money. Maybe you can buy our new book Questions Every Seller Must Ask which also tells you much of what you need to know. And maybe you can give us a positive review.
But we don’t want your money.
We just want you to get the most money for the sale of your most valuable asset. We do not want you to get ripped off – as happens to at least 90 per cent of today’s home sellers who deal with typical agents.
Consider the companies below who have positive review ratings on Product Review of more than 95 per cent.
The private sale companies (that show you how to sell without using an agent) have wonderful reviews. All are 98 per cent positive or better. One has 100 per cent positive reviews.
Also, some advocates and buyers’ agents have excellent reviews. They too have close to 100 per cent client satisfaction. As, we are proud to say, applies to us at Jenman Support.
So, if you are buying or selling real estate, do not be fooled by websites with reviews that paint the most distrusted businesspeople as honest, decent and trustworthy. That’s almost laughable.
Check out the genuine reviews.
Consider companies such as these…
99% POSITIVE (1% NEGATIVE)
Rating 5/5
1,147 Reviews
100% POSITIVE (0% NEGATIVE)
Rating 5/5
105 Reviews
99% POSITIVE (1% NEGATIVE)
Rating 5/5
220 Reviews
98% POSITIVE (2% NEGATIVE)
Rating 5/5
333 Reviews
The final words of this article are these: You can get a good deal in real estate. There are some people – albeit the minority – who will treat you well.
Surely, it’s worth taking the time to research these people.
Remember, your family home is likely your biggest financial asset. Selling or buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions of your life. Treat it with the respect it deserves.
And remember our three favourite words: DON’T SIGN ANYTHING until you are one hundred per cent sure that you are safe.
Or, as I have been saying lately: “If you can’t get out, don’t get in.”
Thank you for reading our articles.
The best advice we can give you if you are selling a property anywhere in Australia today is to read our latest book, QUESTIONS EVERY SELLER MUST ASK.
Take care.
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