An Australian real estate coach living in Texas has sparked a debate after revealing the one big culture shock he didn’t expect.
Ivan Brescic said he was stunned to discover that Americans don’t dislike real estate agents the way Australians do.
The long-time property coach and adviser shared a video from Austin admitting he’s been blindsided by how differently the profession is viewed in the US, and his comments have touched a nerve back home.
‘Can someone please help me,’ he said.
‘I’ve been back in America for about a month, and everyone I speak to can’t believe the amount of hate that there is towards real estate agents in Australia. It’s wild. I don’t understand.’
He said his shock only grew when he realised US agents often charge more and do less, yet still avoid the backlash their Australian counterparts face.
‘Here, there’s very little animosity towards real estate agents,’ he explained.
‘And the funny thing is, they charge between four and six per cent per transaction. They’re less committed than Australian agents, and it’s hard to get hold of them a lot of the time.
Aussie real estate coach Ivan Brescic (pictured), now based in Texas, was stunned to recently learn Americans don’t dislike real estate agents at all
‘Australia’s got a transparent system, they’re always available, and yet there’s so much hate.’
Ivan admitted he had no idea whether the difference comes down to culture, expectation or attitude.
‘Is it that Americans are just nicer? Maybe I’m in the right country.’
He even said he’d still prefer the Australian auction system if selling a home, something American agents still don’t offer.
However, Ivan’s followers were quick to flood the comments section, with many offering brutally honest explanations for the hostility.
One said the industry’s obsession with self-promotion ‘is a massive turn-off.’
They wrote that Australian agents have an egotistical need to talk about themselves, calling it ‘the most prolific vocation’ where participants routinely publicly share their revenue data, sales performance and ‘self-help wisdom.’
They continued that their lawyer nor accountant did the same, and recommended all real estate agents to ‘ease off on the self-love.’
Ivan (second right) admitted he had no idea whether the difference comes down to culture, expectation or attitude. ‘Is it that Americans are just nicer?’ Pictured: With his real estate friends in the South of France
Another follower said what agents call ‘hate’ is simply ‘fair criticism of an industry that is definitely not transparent and lacks sufficient oversight.’
They added that ‘no other industry talks about themselves as much or pats themselves on the back as loud as real estate,’ and said many buyers hire buyer’s agents just to help them navigate the selling agents they don’t trust.
One of the most comprehensive responses came from an Australian who has been working as an agent in the US for ten years himself.
They said the difference boils down to ‘representation, ethics and transparency.’
In America, they explained, every party in a property deal has their own agent – and those agents are ethically bound to act solely in the client’s best interests.
‘This allows the consumer to feel like they’re not being cheated and the process and outcome is fair.’
However, Ivan’s followers were quick to flood the comments section, with many offering brutally honest explanations for the hostility. One said the property industry’s obsession with self-promotion is ‘a massive turn-off’ (Stock photo)
They compared trusting a listing agent in Australia to ‘going to court and trusting the opposing counsel with all of your information and expecting a favourable outcome,’ which is ‘just not realistic.’
They also argued that US agents face stricter ethical oversight, mandatory annual education and operate within systems that give consumers clearer information from day one.
‘Every home has a list price, an on the market date so you know where you stand as a buyer from the outset.’
Not everyone blamed agents, however. One follower suggested the difference may stem from broader social and political foundations.
According to them, Australia leans toward a ‘collectivist, social-democratic model’, while the US operates under a hybrid capitalist framework shaped by government intervention and individualism.
These ideological differences, they argued, may influence how the public views wealth, markets and those who work within them – including real estate agents.
However, several commenters accused the public of classic tall poppy syndrome, saying Australians often resent anyone who earns well, succeeds publicly or appears confident in their achievements.
They suggested that this cultural phenomenon doesn’t exist in the same way in the US, where success is openly celebrated rather than scrutinised.
In their view, real estate agents aren’t hated because of what they do, but because of what they represent in the form of ambition, visibility and financial success.
And while Americans may applaud that, Australians are far more likely to roll their eyes.