The house is only half of it: Why millions of buyers depend on Homely.com.au’s unique hyperlocal reviews

Homely.com.au, one of Australia’s most visited real estate portals, has redefined the property search experience by focusing on what many competitors overlook—the local community. 

The house is only half of it

93% of consumers agree that their purchasing decisions depend on reviews from other people, and this extends to the largest purchase many people will make in their lives – their home.

Homely’s success lies in its millions of pieces of hyperlocal, user-generated content, allowing buyers to gain invaluable insights into the neighbourhoods surrounding potential homes before they move.

Unlike traditional real estate platforms, Homely offers a huge database of user reviews that dive into critical factors like safety, community engagement, and local amenities, helping home seekers make informed choices.

And research has shown that homeowners and renters don’t believe there is a reliable single point of data for suburb information that gives them the whole picture. An American study in 2017 that showed out of all the people who moved in that year, 83% moved to a new neighbourhood, meaning wasted time, energy and resources in visiting open homes in suburbs that weren’t suitable and piecing together information from all over the web to build a picture of what it was like to live somewhere. 

“Our vision has always been to offer more than just property listings,” said Jason Spencer, CEO and Co-Founder of Homely. “We want to give homebuyers the full story, to help them choose not just the right house, but the right neighbourhood for their lifestyles and life stages. Our hyperlocal content has become the cornerstone of this mission.”

Honest reviews by real locals about where to live

From schools to local parks to suitability for young professionals and even singles, Homely’s reviews reveal the truth about what it’s truly like to live in these areas, providing users with a complete picture before making the biggest purchase of their lives.

The ability to learn about schools, public transport, local businesses, and even the community culture is changing the way everyday Australians approach home buying, Homely users say. 

“Reading first hand from locals made all the difference in my property search,” says Briar, a Homely user from the Central Coast. “As someone moving from WA to Sydney, I was completely unfamiliar with the area. Homely became my trusted guide during the entire relocation process.”

Questions and answers to help would-be residents or investors

Homely also houses a significant trove of data in the form of local discussions and Q&A. This feature enables anyone to ask questions on the platform, and receive real answers by those in the know. With hundreds and thousands of helpful locals, from mums and dads to real estate agents to local cafe owners, people can get answers to just about anything they want to know about somewhere before they move. Better still, users receive instant emails when someone has responded so they never miss an answer. These debates can sometimes get a little animated, which the founders believe add to the appeal.

“There are certainly some hot topics that bring out some very passionate people,” says Jason. “Where the best schools are, the weather in Melbourne and of course, your “East vs West/North vs South” discussions are all very busy and interesting forums.”

“Our reviews are also very helpful when it comes to things like where to dine, medical centres and best reviewed services in the areas. It’s a place where honest reviews help everyone and add to the appeal of the area. It’s great to read the helpful suggestions people have for those who have just moved to an area, such as where to find coeliac-friendly restaurants and top rated 24-hour chemists.”

Ability for property seekers to find local real estate agents

Homely’s street and suburb review pages as well as their discussion forums include carousels of properties for sale and rent in the area, as well as top rated local real estate agents they can connect with to learn more about buying, renting or investing in the area.

The portal’s community-driven insights don’t just benefit buyers—they also provide real estate agents with a new way to showcase properties, using deep local knowledge to match clients with homes that suit their needs beyond four walls.

Homely.com.au is attracting more than just millions of property seekers

Additionally, with so many millions of pieces of data, Homely’s rich content library is catching the interest of property investors, retailers and businesses interested in data indication when it comes to local areas.

As Homely continues to grow, the company’s commitment to unique, hyperlocal content remains at the core of its mission to improve the home-buying process across Australia.

“We’ve opened up new possibilities with an Australian-first product that allows consumers to experience streets and suburbs and get a genuine feel for what living there is really like. As we continue to grow, we’re excited to bring this experience to more interested parties and introduce features that continue to support our mission of helping buyers and renters find their perfect place to call home,” says Adam Spencer. 

About Homely
Homely.com.au is one of Australia’s most visited real estate platforms, offering property seekers a unique experience that goes beyond listings. With millions of user-generated neighbourhood reviews, Homely helps Australians discover not just homes, but the communities that surround them. Founded in Melbourne over 10 years ago, Homely is trusted and supported by the Australian real estate industry.