Carolans First National admits opening off market Nambour house to buyers

A Sunshine Coast property owner was gobsmacked to find flags and a “for sale” sign outside her house when it wasn’t yet on the market.

A Sunshine Coast real estate agent has admitted to opening a house to potential buyers before it even hit the market because of a “misunderstanding”.

Carolans First National had not been appointed as the selling agent for the Nambour property when it opened the four-bedroom house in Nambour on November 13.

Its principal, Peter Wrigley, said the agency wanted to avoid disappointing potential buyers who had come from Brisbane to view a nearby property which was cancelled last minute when they opened the off market house.

“It wasn’t done to harm (the property owner) … we just jumped too early, it’s very rare that it happens,” he said.

Kate Cornish was shocked to find her previous property manager conducting an open house without her permission. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The mix up was uncovered when Brisbane-based homeowner Kate Cornish saw flags and a “for sale” sign outside her property while driving past to meet her agent Paula Anderson-Stevens, of Aspex Property, just after midday on November 13.

She said she was furious to find about 10 potential buyers looking through the home she was yet to prepare to sell.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was just blown away. It didn’t make any sense,” Ms Cornish said.

She said the property needed about $25,000 in repairs and feared she had lost potential buyers due to the premature viewing.

Photo taken by Kate Cornish of the sign and flag set up outside her Nambour house.

Ms Cornish confronted the agent at the time, saying the property was off the market and she had no agreement with the agency to sell it.

“It’s just so frustrating that they thought it was okay … people need to know about this,” Ms Cornish said.

Carolans First National managed the property as a rental.

Mr Wrigley said one of his agents had taken potential buyers through the property thinking the agency had permission by way of a “form six”.

“We thought we could get an offer for her without her having to renovate,” he said.

Kate Cornish has to complete over $25,000 in renovations before the home is ready for sale. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“We don’t do that every day of the week. It was a one off situation. We were just a bit overzealous.”

Ms Anderson-Stevens who won the listing said she had never seen conduct of this kind in her career.

“I’ve never come across anyone that has done an open home without authority because it is just an absolute no-no,” she said.

“It’s an absolute cowboy industry with no rules whatsoever.”