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step 1

Do your research

Buying at auction can seem like a high-pressure situation to the uninitiated. By familiarising yourself with the process and the local real estate market, you’re more likely to keep a cool head on the day.

  1. Utilise your agent

    Your agent lives and breathes real estate, so they’ll be able to advise you on the auction process, and what’s expected for the property in question. It’s also a great idea to head along to a couple of auctions so you can get a feel for how they work – paying attention to terminology used by auctioneers and bidders.

  2. Inspect the property

    If you’re really keen on a place, arrange a private viewing with the agent beforehand, and get your pest and building inspections done before the big day. Having a foot in the door might even tempt you to make a pre-auction offer and beat other bidders to the punch.

step 2

Sort your finance

  1. Deposit & Pre-approval

    Nothing will give you confidence on auction day like knowing the maximum amount you could bid on the day and having your deposit (usually 10%) saved and ready to go. We can help you with both! 

  2. The right loan

    Taking the time to discuss what’s important to you when it comes to home finance could save you money and heartache down the track. Use our handy loan selector to find the right loan product for your needs.

    Use our Home Loan Selector

step 3

On The Day

With all your ducks in a row, you may still need to do a little bit of prep so that there are no surprises as the hammer goes down.

  1. Register

    As soon as you arrive at the auction, register and receive your bidding number. You may need to provide ID for this, depending on your state/territory.

  2. Set a budget

    Setting yourself a bidding ceiling beforehand will allow you to remove emotion from proceedings, and make calm, assertive bids within your means.

  3. Have a strategy

    Will you raise the bar early, or wait and watch? Know how you plan to bid, and stick to your guns.

step 4

Next Steps

If you’ve come out on top in the bidding war, and your bid surpassed the reserve in place, then the property is yours!

Immediately after the auction, you’ll usually be required to sign contracts and provide your 10% deposit. It’s at this point you’ll be glad to have your finances in order, as there is no cooling off period in Australia when purchasing at auction – once you buy, you’re committed.

Once you’ve signed contracts, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your lender to finalise your finance application which will include a valuation of the property and once approved contact your insurer and arrange cover for your new asset, so you can negotiate your move in date and celebrate with peace of mind.