AUCTIONS… STRATEGY OR SCIENCE?

Almost everyone has an opinion on auctions. Love them or loathe them, auctions have been around for years and they are here to stay.

As of June this year, 61.5% of homes are sold at auctions1. And with housing affordability reported to be the best it has been since 20162, this number may very well rise.

Auction strategies

If you have ever been involved in an auction campaign you would no doubt have had a planned strategy. Whether you stuck to it in the (sometimes) frenzy of the auction is another thing.

When attending an auction would you:

be the first bidder and open with a strong first bid?
stay silent then come in with a killer bid right at the end?
make a quick counter bid as soon as someone bids against you? or
recruit a professional to bid for you?

According to auction streaming service Gavl, the most common knockout bid is a $10,0003 increase. Some auctioneers suggest that avoiding round numbers can work well for buyers and changes the pace of the bidding.

For example if you open the bidding at say $595,000 instead of $600,000, the bidding will likely continue in smaller increments of $5,000 instead of $10,000.

Perhaps the biggest (and subconscious) psychological barrier to success during auctions is our body language.

Real estate site Domain suggests that projecting assertive body language and knowing your limits are critical. Bidding confidently, loud and proud, can impact the final result. Understanding how other bidders behave at an auction can help reveal when a buyer is reaching their limit.

But enough about strategies, back to the science

We opened this article with the theory of supply and demand. How does this work in the case of auctions?

New research from the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney shows that people participate (bid) LESS at auctions that have MORE bidders4.

Findings from this research are consistent with the ‘loss aversion’ theory – people tend to prefer avoiding losses as opposed to acquiring equivalent gains. We are more upset about losing $10 than we are happy in finding $10.

So the theory suggests when there is more supply (bidders) = we tend to bid less.

Contrary to our belief of ‘bigger crowds and more bidders at an auction create more money for the vendor’, that isn’t always the case!

Regardless of the strategy you adopt (or if science takes over), it is important to take these steps BEFORE you attend an auction.

First and foremost, secure finance pre-approval so you know your true borrowing power.
Do your research – inspect as many comparable properties as possible to know the market.
Attend other auctions to understand how they work and experience different auctioneer styles.
Inspect the property thoroughly, take measurements if you need to and invest in a building inspection – you don’t want any nasty surprises after the gavel strikes and you have to sign the papers!

As your finance specialist we work with our clients to ensure you have your finance pre-approved prior to auction AND prior to making an offer for a private sale.

Remember, due to the range of lenders we have available and the maze of interest rates between them all, we have extensive knowledge across a variety of lenders to help you find the right finance to suit your situation.

Contact our office today if you have any questions regarding finance and pre-approvals for auctions or private sales.

Sources and links:

CoreLogic, 61.5 per cent of homes sell as auction volumes fall week on week, June 2019
ANZ-CoreLogic Housing Affordability report June 2019
Domain, Experts reveal the best techniques for bidding at auction, February 2018
University of Sydney, Auction bids decline with intensity of competition, April 2019

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and your full financial situation will need to be reviewed prior to acceptance of any offer or product. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice and you should always seek professional advice in relation to your individual circumstances. Subject to lenders terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply. © 2019

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4 Tips For Finding That Perfect High Yield Property

By Kola Dev • March 19, 2025

Any property guru worth their salt will tell you that a dream property investment has nothing to do with a prestigious address or sleek amenities. The ultimate goal, is to find that perfect “high yield” property that will give you maximum returns for as little input as possible. Yield refers to the amount of cash a property produces as a percentage of its value and is calculated by the rental income you are receiving compared to the purchase price. There’s a lot more that goes into the calculations, which I’m happy to run you through, but to give you an idea on what to look for, I’ve put together some simple tips. 1. Do your research. There are plenty of stats out there that will give you the median rental yield for each suburb. This is a great place to start! 2. Look for dual income properties such as a house with a granny flat. You can potentially have two streams of rent coming in, meaning the chance for a higher rental yield significantly increases. 3. Have you thought about looking rurally? Country towns offer some great properties at a low price and because the cost of living is low, the rental yields tend to be higher. 4. Always think forward. Be on the lookout for up-and-coming areas and ask yourself if they’ll still be flourishing in five years time. At the end of the day, you need to be realistic. Just because a property has a high yield doesn’t mean it’s going to be a great investment. As a mortgage broker, I can talk you through your options for investment loans so you can see what your monthly outgoings might look like. Please call our team on (03)8657 8664 or email reception@futurefinancegroup.com.au to arrange an appointment.

7 Quick Ways to Upgrade Your Home

By Kola Dev • March 19, 2025

The continuing boom in property prices has tempted many homeowners to invest in renovations to maximise the value and then put their home straight on to the market. There’s no doubt you stand a better chance of enjoying a great return on your investment if you modernise your home. Properties that enjoy a mix of the traditional and the contemporary are in big demand among today’s buyers and nothing ticks the boxes more than a brand new kitchen or bathroom. Two increasingly popular features at the moment are a dedicated home office and a design that connects the indoors with a garden or entertaining area. But renovation projects of this size can become expensive. If your budget doesn’t allow for large-scale upgrades, there are plenty of ways to enhance the value of your home at little cost. Here’s a seven-point guide to upgrade your home. 1. Break out the brushes It’s amazing how a fresh coat of paint will improve a property. Don’t focus only on the walls but attend to the skirting boards, ceilings and architraves. Select neutral colours as these make rooms feel bigger. 2. Go green Small-scale improvements to your gardens work wonders. Focus on the front yard as this creates an all-important first impression. 3. That’s entertainment If your property lacks an area to entertain, this is a great low-cost project to enhance your property’s desirability. Consider adding a deck or a barbeque area. 4. Floor ’em A mixture of different floor types can make a home feel bitsy while a home with consistent flooring creates a great sense of flow. Replacing the floor can be a painful project but you’ll be amazed how much bigger your home feels. 5. Say it with storage You can never have too much storage. A bedroom without built-in robes is just asking for clothes on the floor. Think about storage in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry and looks at ways to create clever storage solutions in nooks and under the stairs. 6. Kitchen upgrades If yours is a little tired, don’t worry – you don’t have to rip it out and spend big dollars. Consider replacing only the doors, drawers and handles. You’ll achieve a transformation at the lowest possible cost and it will feel like new. 7. Unbeatable bathroom Like the kitchen, this can be an expensive renovation. You can avoid replacing tiles by using a professional company to spray-paint them. This treatment can also be applied to sinks, baths and showers. New tapware and shower screens complete the refresh for a fraction of the cost of ripping and replacing. Please call our team on (03)8657 8664 or email reception@futurefinancegroup.com.au to arrange an appointment. *This article is provided for general information only and does not take into account the specific needs, objectives or circumstances of the reader. Before acting on any information, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your personal circumstances, carry out your own research and seek professional advice.

7 Tips for Organising Your Finances Before You Buy A Home

By Kola Dev • March 13, 2025

There are many tips for buying a property, but there’s one essential element that no one can avoid - getting your finances in great shape before you start. Knowing what you can afford is a critical element of finding your first home or the next one that takes you higher up the property ladder. The most successful buyers begin their search with their finances in order and a pre-approval letter from their bank or lender. They know their budget and tailor their efforts accordingly. There’s no greater waste of time than visiting properties that are beyond your price range. Using a mortgage broker can help you shortcut the hours of research through various banking products and good brokers have detailed market knowledge and can offer an array of products. We can suggest the loans most suitable to your circumstances and assist you with paperwork, and review your credit history. We can also help you understand any grants or tax exemptions from state and federal governments that you may be eligible for. Below are a few tips for securing the finance that will help you find your dream home. 1. Clarify your finances If you’re a homeowner, you’ll need to obtain a valuation on your current property and provide proof of current earnings. A first-time buyer will ideally have 10% of the purchase price as a deposit to get the best interest rate and conditions for their first loan but the more the better. Money for legal fees, property inspections and taxes need to be set aside, too. Make sure your tax returns are up to date to prove your earnings. It will make life easier. 2. Low barrier to entry You can obtain a conventional loan with as little as 5% of its total as your deposit. Some government-backed loans do not require a deposit. 3. It pays to save The more you save, the less you borrow. And that means lower your monthly repayments for you over the term of the loan. 4. Go for a grant First-home buyers should research the current grants from various levels of government that are designed to encourage them into the market. 5. Credit crunch You’ll need a good credit history to be attractive to lenders. Check yours out by using companies such as Experian and Equifax. If your track record is not the best, we can discuss ways to address this. If errors appear in your credit history, dispute them immediately. 6. Find the right loan You can save thousands of dollars by choosing the right mortgage product for your situation. It pays to shop around and make a note of not just the interest rate but the fees that come with it and other services that may be offered. As your mortgage broker, we can guide you through this process. 7. Be pre-approved A written undertaking from your lender will help you focus on what you can afford, as well as signal to a prospective seller and their agent that you’re not kicking tyres. Watch out for lenders who will only “pre-qualify” you, as this represents only an estimate of what you can afford and does not offer any guarantees of intention to lend. Please call our team on (03)8657 8664 or email reception@futurefinancegroup.com.au to arrange an appointment.