What happens when agents and brokers work side by side? Faster deals, fewer fall-overs, and real-time finance solutions that help clients make smarter property decisions. Find out how to build the right referral partnerships at REB’s New Agent Academy.
A strategic partnership between OBrien Real Estate and Blank Financial has seen Victorian receive tailored in-house financial solutions and lending guidance, enabling faster decision-making as part of an end-to-end property and finance experience.
Want to develop meaningful partnerships and referral business with brokers? Join the REB New Agent Academy. Free tickets here.
Through the collaboration, OBrien’s buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and staff have access to tailored in-house finance solutions.
While the two firms had been working together for years, since they commercialised the in-house services last July across the whole franchise, OBrien Real Estate co-founder Stavros Ambatzidis said that fallovers have been minimised.
“If you’ve got an independent broker handling someone’s loan, there’s not as much communication. It’s very sterile, takes time and the deal can fall through.”
“In this instance, we’re talking about finances in real time, and if there’s something we need to overcome, we can overcome it very quickly without losing traction.”
Throughout the property journey, Obrien’s buyers, sellers and rental providers can receive a confidential affordability health check to quickly clarify what they can and can’t afford.
Via a QR code, clients can answer a series of questions and within 90 seconds receive an estimate of what they can afford, their required deposit and likely interest rate.
Ambatzidis said the process helped clients save time by keeping them focused on the right price range and property type.
“If something is out of reach, they can quickly pivot to a more suitable area that better meets their needs.”
Additionally, Ambatzidis said that the in-house partnership benefited agents with both sides working closely together to get deals done efficiently.
“Agents are also learning about the different schemes available, as there’s a lot of white noise out there in the papers and what you see on social media.”
“Once they have a better understanding of how finances work, they can point clients in the right direction, connecting them with our in-house brokers.”
Following the latest federal budget changes, Ambatzidis said that the partnership has been paramount to educate its offices, staff and agents internally before rolling out broader communication to landlords, buyers and sellers.
“Having someone in-house, we can actually structure the way we educate clients and staff and have strong foundations rather than talking broadly, especially around the budget changes, which is more complicated than what we see on the headlines.”
According to Blank Financial director Bernard Desmond, the partnership has benefited both realtors and brokers, as speed services have become more critical over the years.
“Real estate agents have a customer base that wants to transact right now,” he said.
“Brokers can make sure that they show the real estate agent that their sale is protected and that they’re going to do everything in their capacity for that subject to finance deal to go through to settlement.”
Desmond, who started about a decade ago at the New Broker Academy, said that the partnership between both industries was essential.
He said brokers can build strong relationships with agents by consistently delivering value throughout the finance process rather than directly asking for referrals.
By keeping agents informed, solving problems quickly and helping deals reach unconditional status, brokers build credibility and become the trusted person agents turn to for future transactions.
Similarly, Ambatzidis said that agents who wished to fast-track their career should build a trusted team of experts to work in partnership with, such as financial services, loan riders, and building inspectors.
“As real estate agents, we’ve come to a stage where to get ruthless efficiency, we really need to have these added services and partnerships which separate the wheat from the chaff and separate the generalists from the specialists.”
“And by being surrounded by professionals, agents can learn more and avoid the mistakes that others make and become better a lot faster,” he concluded.
Interested in finding your next referral partners? Join REB’s New Agent Academy.
One of the industry’s key education and networking events, it connects early-career agents with some of Australia’s top performers, offering real-world insights to help fast-track your success.
In partnership with the New Broker Academy, professionals will have the chance to connect, develop meaningful relationships and create long-lasting business.
To secure your free tickets to the REB New Agent Academy, click here.
The REB New Agent Academy will be held in Brisbane on 28 May, Melbourne on 5 June, and Sydney on 12 June.
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