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July 18, 2026 \u2014 12:31pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n A star trio of real estate agents and a firm are accused of underquoting properties in Melbourne\u2019s east by hundreds of thousands of dollars, in what the consumer watchdog is calling one of the most serious cases since its underquoting taskforce was launched.<\/p>\n Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has launched Federal Court action against the business formerly known Harcourts Judd White, now trading as Ray White Judd White Group and Ray White (Judd White Group), for alleged breaches of property sales laws, and CAV executive director Nicole Rich also alleged at a press conference on Saturday that one or more of the agents had told a vendor that underquoting was \u201call strategy\u201d.<\/p>\n CAV confirmed the three agents are Andrew Dimashki, Anna Du and Julie Wells. Rich confirmed all three are still selling properties \u2013 including some inspections scheduled for Saturday.<\/p>\n In a press release, CAV alleged the agency and the three agents representatives \u201cunderquoted the expected sale price of 11 properties and acted in a deceptive way throughout the relative sales campaigns\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cVendors were signed up to contracts that provided \u2018kicker\u2019 commissions, up to five times the base rate, when properties sold above an agreed price \u2013 some by as much as 60 per cent above the advertised range,\u201d CAV said.<\/p>\n Rich later told reporters the 11 properties were sold in the Glen Waverley and Wheelers Hill areas.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see discrepancies of several hundred thousand dollars in some of those cases,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe allege from the evidence that it\u2019s very, very clear the agency and the agents were well aware they were advertising the prices significantly lower than the market was likely to sell for.<\/p>\n \u201cIn many of those cases, they had potential buyers contacting them asking if the seller would accept offers that were much higher. They were saying no, and then they weren\u2019t adjusting the advertised price.<\/p>\n Another perspective \u201cIn some of the cases, we have evidence, such as text messages, where they were commenting on how much higher the price was going to go, or in one case, telling the vendor\u2019s family not to worry about the lower advertising price because it was \u2018all strategy\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n The allegations relate to the three agents working at Harcourts Judd White. Wells now works at another firm, Buxton. CAV has not made any underquoting allegations against Buxton.<\/p>\n Harcourts Judd White has been trading under the Ray White Judd White Group name in August last year.<\/p>\n Dimashki, Du and Wells have been contacted for comment. Du and Wells declined to comment and Dimashki is yet to respond to the allegations.<\/p>\n Ray White highlights both Dimashki, a \u201cpremier performer\u201d, and Du, an \u201celite perfomer\u201d, as amongst its top talent.<\/p>\n In a statement, a Ray White spokesperson called the conduct concerning, but noted the allegations predated the agents\u2019 association with Ray White.<\/p>\n \u201cSince joining Ray White, the agents involved have operated under a significantly more rigorous compliance framework,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have worked to build relationships with state regulators around Australia, and our compliance team has taken their suggestions and made changes within our technology to detect and prevent underquoting and \u2018kicker\u2019 commissions across the Ray White Group.\u201d<\/p>\n Harcourts has also been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n The allegations come after the landmark Bidding Blind investigation<\/a> by this masthead last year revealed underquoting was rampant in Melbourne, and that prospective home buyers frequently couldn\u2019t rely on the price guide provided.<\/p>\n Related Article In Bidding Blind\u2019s data, Harcourts Judd White rated as one of the worst agencies for selling properties above the top of the advertised range, with 80 per cent of the 66 properties tracked selling above the top of the range. The properties monitored sold for an average of more than $80,000 over the top of the advertised range.<\/p>\n In response, the state government has announced new laws that will require agents to publish a home\u2019s genuine reserve price at least seven days before a home<\/a> is to be sold. The laws will take effect on October 1, though the agency and three agents will only be pursued under the previous laws.<\/p>\n Rich did not detail how large a penalty CAV was seeking if the allegations were proven.<\/p>\n In April<\/a>, Ray White Oakleigh was fined $600,000 for underquoting nine properties. Maximum penalties for breaching the laws are $100 million for corporations and $2.5 million for individuals.<\/p>\n Rich detailed the allegations against Harcourts Judd White and the three agents at a press conference also attended by Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Edbrooke. He said 30 inspectors would be checking auctions in Melbourne\u2019s inner north across the weekend to make sure underquoting had not occurred.<\/p>\n The matter will be heard in the Federal Court on September 4.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Consumer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/87e207b7cd2d811d2afbd2144eb0f6724bd1e357.jpeg\")
Consumer Affairs Victoria executive director Nicole Rich (left) and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Edbrooke on Saturday.Alexander Darling<\/p>\n![\"Real](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/46164e71d74b43960f86c44801fb9228ae5bfaec2264082013e925b9a26b0241.jpeg\")
Real estate agents (from left) Andrew Dimashki, Anna Du and Julie Wells are accused of underquoting.Internet<\/p>\n![\"Lisa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/9c7eed2e09c69758afcbe6a0143dfb7c68e71f02.jpeg\")
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