Why deal with a REIWA Agent?

Doing Business with a REIWA Agent

Thanks to a number of REIWA initiatives, the public can have full confidence that their interests will be protected when they use a REIWA agent to sell, purchase or lease a property.

The Institute owns and controls the standardised documentation used in all areas of real estate practice. In particular it has developed an Offer and Acceptance form regarded by many as the best available. REIWA has also developed an accompanying Joint Form of General Conditions for the Sale of Land which it owns jointly with the Law Society of WA. When used together, these forms have resulted in the simplest form of real estate contract in Australia. Our forms and contracts are continually updated to reflect the changing regulatory environment and to ensure that clients of REIWA members are protected in all their real estate transactions.

REIWA also provides guidelines and professional development for agents to promote high standards in the conduct of business between agents in the interest of consumer protection. An arbitration service in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Act is also available to deal with disputes, thus eliminating the expense and adverse publicity often associated with formal litigation.

Members of the public may also lodge a complaint with REIWA about the conduct of a member agent if they feel this is warranted. A tribunal chaired by a legal practitioner is convened to hear the complaint and penalties may be imposed if required by the decision of the tribunal.

As a condition of membership, REIWA requires that its members carry professional indemnity insurance for the protection of consumers of real estate services. The Institute negotiates with insurers to ensure that the product offered to members is of the highest possible quality and value for money.

REIWA provides its members and hence their clients with cost effective and prominent advertising media including its website reiwa.com and The Homebuyer Magazine which is published weekly with the latest property listings.