OK, Let’s talk about auctions.
For a lot of WA buyers, just hearing the word auction can bring on a cold sweat. Or buyers totally disregard even going and seeing the property.
They hear all the horror stories and question:
- What if I bid too much?
- What if I can’t back out?
- How do I even know what to offer?
The reality is: most of us in WA didn’t grow up seeing auctions as “normal.” In fact, compared to other states like NSW or VIC, auction campaigns here are still pretty underused — which can leave buyers feeling unsure and nervous.
But here’s the truth: when you understand how they work, buying at auction can actually be one of the fairest, most transparent ways to purchase a property. In any type of market.
I can tell you from experience — I wish our last home purchases had been through auction.
Why we love auctions — and wish we’d bought this way:
Inside our Property Uncut course, I sit down with one of WA’s top auction agents — Matt Kalos from Ray White South Perth — to unpack exactly why auctions can be a buyer’s best friend when done well.
Here’s why we both wish we’d bought our last homes through auction:
1️⃣ You know exactly where you stand — No guesswork. You can see what other buyers are bidding in real time.
2️⃣ There’s a clear end point — Unlike private treaty campaigns that drag out for weeks, auction day means there’s a deadline. You know when decisions will happen. No waiting for the agent to call you several days after making your offer to be told the sellers accepted another offer.
3️⃣ A well-run auction campaign is more transparent — You’ll have more clarity on the day of auction the property’s value, the level of interest from other buyers (other bidders on the day) — compared to a private treaty where so much happens behind closed doors – you don’t know how many buyers are competing for the property or where they are seeing value.
4️⃣ There’s no risk of paying way over the odds — In private offers, buyers can unknowingly overpay by tens of thousands — because they don’t know what others are offering. In an auction, you can see every bid.
Why buyer feedback matters in an auction campaign
A good auction campaign is a lot of work for the agent — they need to follow up diligently with every interested buyer, collect feedback, and guide the seller on how to set a realistic reserve price.
If you’re genuinely interested in a property — even if you’re unsure about bidding — it’s really important to give feedback to the agent.
✅ Let them know you’re watching the campaign.
✅ Share if you’d consider making an offer prior to auction.
✅ Even if your offer isn’t accepted, it helps the agent and seller understand where buyers are seeing value.
Without this kind of honest feedback, agents and sellers are often guessing — and that’s when reserves get set too high, or the property passes in.
If buyers engage early, the whole process tends to be much smoother — and far more transparent come auction day.
Common auction fears — and how to handle them:
❓ “What if I can’t get my finance in time?”
Most auction campaigns run for 2–4 weeks — giving you time to prepare your finances properly. In fact, one of the best moves you can make is to get your pre-approval locked in early so you can bid with confidence. Just make sure that the mortgage broker knows how to get your finance pre-approved to a position where you are ready to bid. If you need help with mortgage brokers to help please reach out.
❓ “What if I get caught up and overbid?”
Inside our course, we show you how to set a strong bidding strategy — so you stay in control and don’t get swept away emotionally.
❓ “What if the property doesn’t sell under the hammer?”
Good news — you can still negotiate after the auction. And sometimes this can give you an edge.
The bottom line:
In WA’s current market, where private offers are often rushed and multiple buyers are competing hard, buying through auction can actually be a safer, more transparent way to buy — if you know how to approach it.
And that’s exactly why Matt and I both believe more buyers should consider auctions — not avoid them.
Want to learn how to bid at auction with confidence?
Inside Property Uncut, you’ll hear directly from Matt Kalos — one of WA’s best auction agents — and get practical tips on how to prepare, bid, and win at auction (without the stress).
👉 Sign up to the waitlist now — and be first to know when the course opens.
