For the uninitiated, bidding at auction can be nerve-wracking. Here are some strategies from Aaron Davis of Harcourts, winner of the 2019 Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) National Real Estate Auctioneering Championships, that could give you an edge over your competition.

Work out the number you’re prepared to go to but avoid round numbers.
Most buyers stop at round numbers like $550,000, so make yours $553,000. That little bit more can often make the difference between coming out on top or missing out on a property at auction.

When the auctioneer calls for opening bids, be confident and assertive.
Throw out an opening bid and when another buyer comes back with a counter bid, don’t be afraid to respond with your next bid quickly and decisively. This gives the impression that you’ve got the funds and that you’re there to buy the property no matter what, which can discourage other buyers.

Call out bids that are higher or lower than what the auctioneer is suggesting.
Don’t be afraid to mix up the increments and bid in unusual increments like 36 instead of the usual 5s and 10s. Double bidding on top of yourself, which is when you already hold the highest bid and then bid again, can also throw other buyers off.

Sit or stand in a location where you can observe the other buyers in the room.
You’ll pick up important visual cues; facial expressions, signals between partners, even body language can give you a good indication of when your competition has reached their limit.

Don’t wait for the trial close to make your next bid.
When the auctioneer calls once, twice, third and final call, it triggers someone to bid. The trick, says Aaron, is not to wait for the trial close but to keep on bidding in random increments to discourage other bidders. If you hit your ceiling, you’re done.

As a seller, the results you get on auction day will depend on many factors, including the skill of your auctioneer. “The quality of the auctioneering can have an enormous impact on the outcome of an auction,” says Harcourts Managing Director, Bryan Thomson, “so it’s a testament to the expertise of our auctioneers that they continue to win the top awards at the national championships year after year.”