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A hybrid mix of onsite attendees and cyber buyers comprised the audiences at last-minute auctions this week in one last hurrah for Ray White before interested bidders settle into isolation.
With government restrictions having ramped up this week, Ray White has highlighted how, from now on, interested bidders will stay home and participate at auctions through the use of digital platforms or phone bidding.
It didn’t stop a flurry of eager buyers snapping up properties across Sydney and Melbourne in the past week, with Ray White Ferntree Gully managing director Patrick McConnachie stating that his agents wrapped up their private onsite auctions before restrictions came into effect with a 50 per cent clearance rate.
Some agents, in conjunction with vendors, had made the decision to bring several of those auctions forward.
“Our agents are doing the best for their vendor at the moment, and if that was bringing the auction forward to make a decision and it didn’t work, then we are okay with that,” Mr McConnachie said.
“In these times, that’s still a 50 per cent clearance rate, so we classify it as a win for the owners.”
Moving forward, Mr McConnachie said his agents are “more than prepared” for the new changes required to continue carrying out auctions and inspections amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with these able to be conducted virtually.
It’s a similar sentiment held by Ray White New South Wales auctioneer James Kerley, who sold a Kellyville home in his last onsite auction for the foreseeable future.
“It was a private auction, so only people who were registered bidders were able to attend. We used a mixture of Google Hangouts and live streaming on Gavl for those not able to attend,” he said.
“But even if we are doing things differently, it’s still the same process of creating competition and getting the best for our sellers.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
