A NEW real estate agency has arrived in Bathurst and is set to shake up the way people buy and sell property.
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Purplebricks has slowly been expanding its reach since launching in Australia in 2016 and has now hit the Central West by appointing an agent in Bathurst.
And a familiar face was chosen - David Chapman.
Mr Chapman started his real estate career in 2012 with First National Real Estate, before becoming the co-owner of LJ Hooker Bathurst in January, 2014.
He was at the helm for more than two years, before moving on to Century 21 Bathurst and then leaving the industry in 2017 for a job that would allow him to spend more time with his young family.
When the opportunity arose to jump back into the industry with Purplebricks, he jumped at the chance.
Mr Chapman said Purplebricks would not only eliminate the issues that led him to leave the real estate industry two years ago, but provide a more cost-effective, transparent option for Bathurst buyers and sellers.
Purplebricks charges a fixed, flat fee of $8,800, regardless of the eventual sale price of a property.
Half of this fee is for marketing and can be paid upon the sale of the property or after six months of a property being on the market, whichever comes first.
The remaining $4400 is paid to Purplebricks once the property has sold.
Mr Chapman said the flat fee has the potential to save Bathurst residents thousands of dollars in agent commissions.
"I think it is something that is going to sit well with Bathurst home owners because it has a fair, fixed fee," he said.
Purplebricks also uses an online platform to make it easier for people to book appraisals and inspections at times that suit them, as well as make the process of receiving offers more transparent for the vendor.
"The buyer and the vendor both have visibility. What I see as an agent, they can see as the buyer and the vendor; that's how transparent we are," Mr Chapman said.
In his first 48 hours as an agent for Purplebricks, Mr Chapman had already secured one listing and had three appraisals scheduled.
It's a good sign to him that the Purplebricks model will take off in regional areas as it is rolled out.
"It is not going to be very long at all before Purplebricks is present in other major centres in the Central West," Mr Chapman said.
"Because of the cost savings and the marketing that we do, it is little wonder that Purplebricks is currently the fastest growing real estate brand in Australia."
For more details on Purplebricks or to get in touch with Mr Chapman, visit the Purplebricks website.
