Instant auctions: bringing the big day forward
We called same-day auctions at BresicWhitney more than once last month. And it was buyers who wanted it most.
When agent Andrew Liddell started receiving multiple offers above $4 million for 92 Johnston Street, Annandale, it was getting unnerving for all parties involved.
One buyer made it clear: “I’ll bid more, but I want the transparency of an auction room”. Two hours later, the home went under the hammer.
Despite an official pending auction date still weeks away, the parties and families quickly convened, and two buyers went bid-for-bid onsite in Balmain.
“When you’re going back and forward on the phone at that price point it can get stressful for buyers,” Andrew says. “People like to be able to see who they’re bidding with, and remove the ongoing uncertainty of waiting to see if you’re going to be successful.”
With the sellers close to accepting the highest offer of $4.2 million that day, the auction environment achieved another $150,000, the home selling for $4.35 million.
“Buyers often emerge happier when they’re not bidding in the dark,” Andrew says.
Another home never made it to its second Saturday open inspection. This time it was an Art Deco apartment at 9/11-17 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst that experienced similar demand.
With so many people wanting to put forward offers, agent Nick Gill booked a weekday auction, and 13 people registered to bid.
“It was one of those homes that just struck an emotional chord with buyers,” Nick says. “The owner had a realistic reserve and it ended up selling for $1.18 million.
“With nothing else comparable around that price point, the best thing we could do was to open it up to bidding.”
BresicWhitney auctioneer Thomas McGlynn says he expects to see more of these snap auctions happening in the future.
“In recent decades, the auction has gone from being a daunting process to the most open way to buy,” he says.
“It’s a bold move to book these events on the same day and ensure all parties are up for it. But it just delivers a transparent negotiation for the buyers, and a great outcome for the sellers.”