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FAQ

  • Harcourts Auctions conducts live-streamed online auctions. Our events are scheduled in advanced and the bidding room for each event will open approximately 15 minutes before the event commences. When the event commences all viewers will be able to see a large video of the auctioneer and will be able to place bids online (if they have pre-registered and been approved). Our Auctioneer will facilitate and call the auction bidding, just as you would experience at a car or antique auction. Bidders are unable to attend our auction events in person. We do not conduct auctions in a specific location. Our auction events are conducted from a studio location. Bidders are able to be anywhere in the world and participate in our live-streamed auctions. Bidders will never bid against a computer or any automated bidding. Bids are only accepted from bona fide pre-approved registered bidders.

  • Absolutely, our main objection is to sell your property, should an offer be presented which is an amount and on terms acceptable to you, we are happy and this is our job done. All offers made throughout the campaign prior to auction will be displayed to the seller; however, it remains entirely the seller’s decision whether or not they wish to counter, accept or continue down the auction path towards auction day. A large majority of our properties sell prior to auction, as the seller has had an opportunity to gauge feedback on the marketplace.

  • The only genuine measure of value of real estate is what someone else is willing to pay for a property. An appraisal is merely an informed opinion. An appraisal is not an offer to buy. The real measure of value of real estate, at any given time, is what it will bring under competitive bidding from informed and motivated buyers. Selling via auction ensures you are receiving a public offer at fair market price.

  • Absolutely. The auction marketing method allows us to expose the property to the marketplace. Throughout the auction campaign the seller has the ability to gain feedback about their property from potential buyers. Occasionally, a buyer may be interested in a property; however, may not feel comfortable bidding under auction terms. In this case a buyer will often make an offer after the auction date. Additionally, if the property does not sell auction day, we have the opportunity to price the property competitively.

  • Certainly not. It is a misconception that auctions are only used to sell bargain and distressed property. Auctions is a predominate method of sale for many luxury products – including Art, Jewelry, Cars, and many more. Auctions for real estate in the United States is a relatively new method; however, in other parts of the world it is the preferred way to sell property. Auctions are the preferred way because they have the ability to reveal the true market value of a property through an open forum of competitive and genuine bidding.
    A seller is never under any obligation or force to sell their property at any point in the auction process, the decision to sell always remains one for the seller. Should the auction not achieve a price the seller is comfortable with, the seller is able to market the property as per normal with a price. Nothing has been lost and your property has not been damaged in the auction process because the campaign has only consisted of a couple of weeks and no price has been put to the market, so no harm has been done.

  • All Harcourts Auctions Live Auction Events are Streamed Live through our Bidding Room. The Bidding Room can be accessed at https://liveauctions.harcourtsauctions.com/

    Our Auction Events do not take place at a physical location and bidders are not able to ‘attend’ our event on-site. Instead, our events can be live streamed via the bidding room. If you are on the website when the event commences you will be able to see a live video of our auctioneer and see all live bidding.

  • Yes, when completing the bidding registration you will be able to nominate your bidding preference. You can nominate to have either your representing agent bid on your behalf or a member from the auction team display your bids.

  • This will differ depending on the property. All offers made throughout the campaign prior to auction will be displayed to the seller; however, it remains entirely the seller’s decision whether or not they wish to counter, accept, or continue down the auction path towards auction day. We encourage you to submit an offer if you are interested as the majority of properties sell prior to auction day.

  • All of the information and disclosures regarding the property being auctioned is included in the ‘Docs’ Tab within the Property Portal on the Property Website. To access the property portal you will need to sign up for a user account on the property page. Additionally, if you have a specific property question you can reach out to the listing agent directly.

  • No, using a real estate agent is entirely a matter of personal preference. If you wish to use an agent, please feel free. However, the auction process is a very simple, transparent way of transferring real property between two parties. Whether you decide to use an agent or not, the Auction Director is always available to explain the process and devise any strategies for bidding on the day of auction. Harcourts Auctions is committed to ensuring every buyer and/or buyer’s agent feels 100% comfortable with the process and that each buyer is being treated fairly (whether or not they are represented).

  • In order to bid at an Auction you will need to register – buyers are able to register to bid by going to the property page on the harcourtsauctions.com website, scrolling down to the property portal, clicking ‘register to bid’ – buyers will then be walked through the process to provide their contact information, add their representing agent, decide their bidding preference and nominate any variations to the auction terms. The buyer will then be transported to “SignBlue” Harcourts Auctions exclusive electronic signing platform to complete signing of bidding documentation.

    Please note: an agent cannot register on behalf of their buyer. The Buyer must complete registration and agree to auction terms. Please see video here showing the step by step process Harcourts Auctions – Register to Bid Process Explained

  • Just because you are unable to bid under auction terms and conditions does not mean you are unable to purchase an auction property. Anyone is able to make an offer prior to auction day with any terms; however, note these terms need to be very favorable to the sellers in order for them to consider selling prior to auction day.

    If the property does not sell before auction day or on auction day, you may have another opportunity to submit an offer after auction. In such circumstances however, you risk being involved in a multiple offer situation, as there may be several other buyers who are in the same situation as you and have been holding out until after auction day. Therefore, if you are able to get yourself in a position to make an offer prior to auction or bid comfortably under auction terms and conditions to a specific amount, buying at auction is the most transparent and certain way to purchase property.

    Additionally, Harcourts Auctions provides the option for bidders to register with variations. You will see the option when registering to bid to either 1. Accept Auction Terms or 2. Request Variations. By selecting variations, you will have the option of inserting any variation you wish into the bidding registration terms. See here: Harcourts Auctions Register to Bid Process

  • Yes you should still register for the auction. The Auction process is just that – a process. The process involves many facets including, most importantly, expectations. The auction process is about educating the price expectations of both sellers and buyers according to the market. If your offer is not accepted prior to auction, it may be that the seller has a price expectation of the property over where it sits on the market, which may become evident on auction day. Or perhaps it may be that your offer is underestimating the value of the property. Regardless, after the seller and the buyers have had the opportunity to see the full marketing campaign over 3-6 weeks and also see the property’s interest on auction day, both parties will often reevaluate their expectations.

  • A list price or the bidding to start from price indicates the price at which negotiations must be above. The “Bidding to Start from Price” does not necessarily represent an amount at which the seller would sell the property. The best strategy would be to look at properties in the area, inspect all disclosures and reports completed on the property, and make an offer you are comfortable with.

  • Certainly, Harcourts Auctions recommends you have an inspector review the property; however, this is required to be done prior to auction already (review the Docs tab on the property website’s Property Portal section to find applicable reports and disclosures). All properties involved with Harcourts Auctions are available for preview and inspection. Anyone who wishes to undertake their own inspection should contact the listing agent to arrange a suitable time.

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