A property expert from Melbourne has ignited a fierce debate after lifting the lid on the real reason estate agents ask for your contact details at open home viewings.
The Hidden Database Tracking Buyers
Dion Marsden, a buyers agent who shares insider tips on TikTok, has revealed how agencies systematically store and share prospective buyer information behind the scenes. His viral video, which has amassed over 50,000 views, has left many Australians stunned, with numerous comments stating they had 'no idea' their personal data and even their opinions were being meticulously logged.
In the clip, Dion explained that the seemingly routine request for your name and phone number is far more strategic than most house hunters realise. "Have you ever realised when you've given your details and your profile already pops up?" he asked his audience. "It's because there's a database a real estate agency has, and it has all your information on there … but it also has information on everything else you've looked at and all the other comments you've made about those properties."
Why Speaking Freely Can Backfire
Dion warned that one of the biggest mistakes buyers make is assuming they can speak candidly once they decide a property isn't for them. "Buyers figure out, 'I don't like this property anymore, so now I'm free to speak.' But anything you say and do most likely is going to get recorded on a database," he cautioned.
He stressed that these notes are not forgotten but can resurface months later at an entirely different inspection with a different agent. "If it's recorded on a database, and you go to another property and an agent reads the notes from the previous property, you could be shooting yourself in the foot," Dion warned. He added that even unsuccessful bids become part of your permanent profile, meaning your budget is most likely logged in the system.
Scale of Data Collection and Public Reaction
While not every agency uses large, interconnected systems, Dion confirmed the major players absolutely do. "One of the agencies I used to work at had about two million people on their database with addresses, phone numbers, [and] previous notes that dated back 10 years," he disclosed.
The revelation in the comments section of his video was met with shock and concern. Many viewers questioned the legality of the practice from a privacy perspective, with one asking, "How is this legal from a privacy collection and consent perspective?" Others shared their own tactics for self-protection:
- Using a temporary 'burner' phone while property hunting.
- Purposely avoiding giving truthful information.
- One commenter joked about giving a rival agent's number instead.
Dion's core message is clear: prospective buyers need to be far more aware and cautious about the personal information they willingly hand over during what seems like a simple property viewing.
