For decades, Australians accepted that when buying a home, the person advising them usually worked for the seller. However, consumers today expect more transparency, more choice and someone genuinely in their corner. That shift transformed industries like finance, travel and real estate, and now it is happening in homebuilding.
Perth-Based Locale Homes Pioneers Independent Building Broker Model
Perth-based Locale Homes is leading the rise of the independent building broker model, helping buyers to navigate one of life’s biggest financial decisions with unbiased guidance, builder comparisons and end-to-end support.
Locale Homes Founder and Managing Director Adam Schaal said the business was created after years inside the building industry watching buyers feel overwhelmed, underprepared and pressured into decisions they did not fully understand.
“Most buyers are walking into one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives without anyone truly representing them,” he said. “We sit between the buyer and the building industry to make sure they’re getting the right home, the right builder and the right advice for their situation. We help people to compare builders, understand the real costs, avoid hidden traps and make confident decisions from day one.”
How the Independent Broker Model Works
Unlike a traditional builder sales consultant, Locale Homes is not tied to selling one product or pushing one building company. Instead, the team works across a panel of vetted builders, developers and finance partners to help buyers compare their options side by side. Importantly, buyers pay no extra to use the service.
“The biggest misconception is that using a building broker costs more,” Mr Schaal said. “It doesn’t. Whether you go direct or through us, the price is the same. The difference is you have someone advocating for you through the entire process.”
This includes sourcing finance options, comparing land opportunities, negotiating with builders and helping clients to navigate contracts, timelines, pricing and pre-construction decisions.
Industry-Wide Perspective Drives Better Client Outcomes
Because Locale Homes works across multiple builders, the business also has a unique view across the industry. “We see different pricing models, guarantees, communication standards and customer experiences – not just one builder’s way of doing things,” Mr Schaal said. “That perspective allows us to advocate strongly for our clients and push for better standards around transparency, accountability and customer experience.”
Locale Homes also provides ongoing support long after contracts are signed. Mr Schaal said the business’s relationships and scale allowed the team to escalate issues quickly and hold builders accountable on communication, timelines and quality. “This creates better outcomes for our clients, but we also believe it contributes positively to the industry more broadly,” he said.
First Homebuyer Testimonial Highlights Value
First homebuyer Georgia Allchin, who recently began her journey with Locale Homes, said the difference was immediate. “We really had no idea where to start or what to expect,” she said. “After being very close to signing with another company, we spoke with Locale Homes for a second opinion, and immediately, all the stress and nerves went away. The information and communication we were getting made it an absolute no-brainer to change over to Locale Homes.”
For Mr Schaal, that confidence is exactly what the business exists to create. “Most first homebuyers make their biggest mistakes at the very beginning, when they don’t yet know what to look for, what to avoid or who to trust,” he said. “We’re here to help them understand their options, avoid costly mistakes and move forward with clarity.”
Locale Homes guides homebuyers through new builds with transparency, expertise and genuine advocacy. From first enquiry to handover, the team cuts through the noise and delivers.
