In a difficult property market, many homeowners are reconsidering how they sell. For sellers in Perth and the City of Belmont, auction is increasingly part of that conversation.
Choosing an auction is only part of the decision. Choosing the right agent to manage it matters just as much.
Auction is a sales art form. It requires an understanding of people, property and negotiation, supported by specialist training and experience. Its preparation, buyer management and live negotiation are very different from private treaty sales, online auctions and other selling methods.
Putting an auction date on an advertisement does not, by itself, create a successful auction campaign.
Recently, several auction campaigns at Ray White Urban Springs have achieved sale prices well above expectations, despite the broader market downturn.
Those results are encouraging for sellers facing challenging conditions. They also demonstrate what can happen when careful preparation brings motivated buyers together to compete. They do not mean every property will produce the same outcome. Each campaign depends on the property, the buyers, the seller’s circumstances and how effectively the process is managed.
When the strategy suits the property and the campaign is handled well, auction can be by far the most effective way to sell.
Much of the work that determines an auction result happens before anyone raises a hand.
An experienced auction agent follows up every enquiry, asks meaningful questions and establishes who is genuinely ready to purchase. They understand buyers’ finances, timeframes and intentions. They recognise hesitation, address concerns and help buyers arrive prepared to compete.
For sellers, that work should translate into clear communication, honest feedback and reserve advice grounded in credible evidence. The agent must also know how to negotiate before, during and after the auction, including when bidding stalls or the property passes in.
These skills require ongoing training and practice. A strong private treaty sales record does not automatically demonstrate the ability to run an effective auction campaign.
An auction campaign managed by an agent with little auction experience, inadequate training or no demonstrated track record can go badly wrong. Buyers may arrive unprepared. Genuine interest may never become bidding. Sellers may receive unrealistic advice or be left uncertain about what happens next.
In those circumstances, a method capable of delivering an excellent result can become a deeply disappointing experience. That is why sellers should look beyond the recommendation to “try auction” and examine the experience behind it.
For Andrew Huggins, Principal of Ray White Urban Springs, that experience spans more than 20 years in real estate. Andrew was awarded REIWA’s Top Salesperson by Auction Listings Sold for three consecutive years: 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Those awards provide a record of auction experience. Sellers should also ask about recent results, current training and the practical work that goes into each campaign.
Before appointing an agent, ask:
A capable auction agent should be comfortable answering every question clearly.
For homeowners in Belmont, Rivervale, Cloverdale, Kewdale, Ascot and Redcliffe, the starting point should be a considered discussion about the property and the seller’s goals.
That discussion should explain why an auction may suit the sale, what the campaign involves and how the agent intends to attract and prepare buyers. Sellers deserve straightforward advice and time to make an informed decision without pressure.
Your property is too valuable for the selling strategy to rest on enthusiasm alone. Experience, training and a demonstrated ability to manage the process matter.
Speak with Andrew Huggins at Ray White Urban Springs about whether an auction strategy suits your property.
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