Long gone are the days of being a first-time buyer jumping across to management rights or a buyer with previous experience looking to scale up come into a purchase underprepared and chasing their tail to catch up throughout the transaction.

Whilst the industry has seen change over the years with credentials and the purchase/consent process, buyers remain best placed to focus their energy on the old analogy of what I put in is what I get out (mine comes with the vivid memory of a tennis ball being chucked at the wall capturing the momentum).

A buyer should weigh up how it is they present on paper and in person. The investment a buyer puts into themselves sets the tone with the seller and a prospective body corporate from the start.

Have a purchasing structure set up.
Hold real estate or letting agent licenses.
Don’t just rely on seller tuition. These days, extra training and guidance goes a long way and tailored one on one tuition to a buyer’s skillset and capabilities displays thought, consideration and forward planning.
Have buyer credentials ready at the beginning. The seller and the body corporate want to see a keen, passionate and energetic buyer who has put time and reflection into this purchase – a business plan, resumes, references and police checks are now standard so instead think about what makes you as a buyer stand out?
Highlight strengths but consider weaknesses and how these can be addressed to work for the role (i.e. extra training, engaging staff or contractors for the areas where you are not yet experienced in such as maintenance, gardening or pools or engaging professionals or service providers to assist with marketing and strategy, holiday operations, financial planning etc).
Be prepared to engage with the committee and how to make the relationship with the body corporate work for everyone.
Attend management rights purchase seminars, have industry professionals chosen and be as educated as possible on the industry and/or the ideal type of complex.

If you are or know of a first-time buyer or a buyer wishing to move onto the next challenge, MBA Lawyers are here to help.

Kelsey Huebner

Partner (Non-Principal)

MBA Lawyers

With more than a decade of experience in management rights law across Australia, Kelsey has advised everyone from family operators to large corporates on the purchase, sale, and structuring of management rights businesses. Her expertise includes securing tenure, negotiating variations, subdividing lots, and decoupling assets to maximise value and protect investments.

A respected presenter in the sector and an active ARAMA member, Kelsey also contributed to shaping the most recent management rights special conditions now widely used across the industry.