PROPERTY NEWS & UPDATES / NSW REAL ESTATE Clearer price guides, stronger market evidence and greater transparency for buyers and sellers. Here's how NSW property advertising rules work. Ever found a property you loved online, only to discover there was no price listed? For years, buyers have come across property advertisements using phrases such as "Contact Agent" or "Price on Application", leaving them unsure whether a home was realistically within their budget. NSW's mandatory property price advertising requirements are designed to change that. Residential property advertisements arranged by real estate agents must include a selling price or price range, helping buyers understand the likely cost before investing time and money into a property. THE BIG CHANGE Buyers should be able to see a meaningful price or price range when viewing a residential property advertisement, rather than having to ask what the property might cost. 01 / PRICE TRANSPARENCY Under the NSW rules, real estate agents must include a selling price or price range in residential property advertisements they arrange to have published. This applies across common advertising channels, including property websites, social media, email marketing and printed promotional materials. A simple sign placed at a property indicating that it is for sale is exempt from the requirement to display a price. However, if the sign does include a price, that information must comply with the advertising rules. 02 / THE 10% RULE If an agent advertises a property using a price range, the upper end cannot exceed the lower end by more than 10%. EXAMPLE OF A COMPLIANT PRICE RANGE $900,000 – $990,000 The difference is $90,000, which is exactly 10% of the lower figure of $900,000. The purpose of the rule is to ensure price ranges provide meaningful guidance, rather than being so broad that buyers struggle to assess affordability. 03 / MARKET EVIDENCE Displaying a price is only part of the requirement. The agent's estimated selling price must also be reasonable and supported by genuine market evidence. NSW regulations set out a process for identifying the three most comparable property sales when determining or revising an estimated selling price. Where fewer than three suitable comparable properties can be identified after the required searches, agents must follow the applicable rules and record their reasons. ✓ Location and surrounding area These requirements help ensure a property's estimated selling price reflects relevant market information, rather than simply being chosen to attract more enquiries. 04 / KEEPING PRICES ACCURATE An advertised price guide isn't something an agent can simply set and forget. If a seller rejects a written offer solely because the amount is too low, the agent must ensure the property is not advertised below that rejected offer. For example: If a property is advertised at $900,000 and the seller rejects a written offer of $950,000 solely because the price is too low, the agent cannot continue advertising it below $950,000. A different situation may arise when an offer is rejected because of its conditions, rather than its price. The reason for rejection matters when determining the agent's obligations. 05 / ADVERTISING UPDATES Agents must take reasonable steps to update or remove an online advertisement within one business day if its displayed price no longer complies with the law. This may occur when an estimated selling price changes, a seller rejects a written offer solely because the price is too low, or a property is passed in at auction. The aim is to prevent outdated pricing information from continuing to influence buyers during an active sales campaign. WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU FOR BUYERS Clear price guides make it easier to identify properties that suit your budget, compare available homes and make informed decisions before spending money on inspections and reports. FOR SELLERS Evidence-based pricing helps set realistic expectations and attract buyers whose budgets are better aligned with the property, supporting a more focused sales campaign. 06 / LOCAL MARKET INSIGHT The Central Coast property market includes a wide variety of homes, from coastal apartments and townhouses to family homes and acreage properties. Even within the same suburb, property values can vary considerably depending on location, presentation, land size and individual features. That's why a reliable price guide should be supported by relevant comparable sales and a clear understanding of local market conditions, rather than relying on a suburb median alone. YOUR PROPERTY PRICING CHECKLIST □ What comparable sales support this price? THE TAKEAWAY Mandatory property price advertising is about more than putting a number on a listing. It's about making property information more transparent, helping buyers understand affordability and giving sellers confidence that their pricing strategy is grounded in market evidence. FURTHER READING For official information about property price advertising and underquoting requirements, visit NSW Fair Trading's property and stock agent law updates . BRAND PROPERTY Whether you're preparing to sell or simply keeping an eye on the Central Coast property market, our team can help you understand your property's value with local knowledge, comparable sales and practical advice. This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Property advertising requirements may change. Refer to NSW Fair Trading for current guidance.Mandatory Property Price Advertising in NSW: What You Need to Know
Do Property Advertisements Have to Show a Price?
How Wide Can an Advertised Price Range Be?
What Evidence Must Support a Property's Price Guide?
What Makes a Property Comparable?
✓ Property type and layout
✓ Land size and features
✓ Age and condition of the home
✓ Recent sale prices and sale dates
✓ Other relevant property characteristicsWhat Happens When a Seller Rejects an Offer?
How Quickly Must Property Advertisements Be Updated?
How Do These Rules Help Buyers and Sellers?
More Clarity Before You Commit
More Meaningful Buyer Interest
Why Accurate Pricing Matters on the Central Coast
Questions Worth Asking Your Real Estate Agent
□ How was the estimated selling price determined?
□ What factors make this property different from comparable homes?
□ How often will the price guide be reviewed?
□ How will changes be communicated to buyers?
□ What happens if an offer is rejected because the price is too low?Clearer Prices. Better Decisions. Greater Confidence.
Want to Know What Your Property Could Sell For?
