Seller's Education

In this section you will find information on why selling your property or asset on auction is the right move. Why choose Alliance? What to do? What we do? All these questions and more will be answered. For an overview of this section why not watch our Seller's education video below:

Why sell on auction

Auctions are a centuries old, proven method of sale and are now the fastest growing sector of the property market. They have quickly become a first choice option for selling property in South Africa - and it's not difficult to see why - there really are so many advantages for sellers. If you're in the market to sell, here's why you should consider the auction route:

  • Auctions are quick

     

     

    Auctions offer an extremely speedy means to selling an asset. In fact from the instruction to sell, to the registration of an auctioned property or asset, the entire process can happen in as short a period of time as 4 - 5 weeks, making auctions the quickest method of monetising your asset.

  • Auctions ensure maximum value

     

     

    There is no ceiling on the maximum price that a property or asset can fetch on auction. This means that competitive bidding will ensure that the highest value is achieved when selling a property on auction. The competitive nature of auctions is such that the price fetched can often exceed the expectations of the seller.

  • Auctions are transparent

     

     

    Every transaction takes place transparently and in the open, with all terms and conditions available for public scrutiny. There are no deals behind closed doors and no behind the scenes dealings or back and forth. With an auction, what you see is what you get. The reserve mechanism means there will always be a minimum price, which will protect you as the seller and ensure that your requirements are met.

  • Auctions are the real deal

     

     

    Only pre-qualified, focused, serious buyers participate: no protracted negotiations, no suspensive clauses, nor other potential deal breakers. An auction offers a high degree of certainty that a deal will be achieved on a given day. In tough markets the uncertainty of a property staying on the market for months disappears.

  • Auctions attract market interest

     

     

    An auction takes place on a fixed date. Buyers know that a willing seller has brought an asset to market - and when the hammer falls, the deal will be done. This ensures that the asset is highly contested as a result of the maximum number of prospective bidders turning up at an auction.

Why sell with Alliance

When you choose Auction Alliance as your partner in the wealth creation, investment or asset disposal process you are choosing the best people for the job. With our track record and long list of iconic sales, we've helped put many of our valued clients ahead of the game. Here's why you should choose us:

  • South Africa's largest auction group

     

     

    We are by volume and by value, the country's largest auction group. We sell an average of R6 billion worth of real estate every year and have been connecting buyers and sellers of all asset types for almost two decades. With our extensive industry know-how we are experienced at finding the right buyers for our sellers assets.

  • An impressive track record

     

     

    We've facilitated some of the country's most high profile auction events and in doing so have built up an extremely impressive list of top sales. These sales are testament to the fact that we continue to break the records and set the industry standards, year after year and are the proven industry leaders.

  • We're the marketing experts

     

     

    With an annual marketing spend of around R50 million we're well practiced and experienced at getting an asset maximum exposure to the market. Our award-winning marketers apply a variety of tactics to ensure the widest possible reach is attained.

  • In your city, around the world

     

     

    Not only do we have substantial offices in every major centre in South Africa, we've also extended our reach beyond these borders. We operate in the Middle East, and have affiliations in the UK, USA and Australia. We attract buyers from all continents and in fact regard ourselves as an international company, operating in South Africa.

  • Our value added services

     

     

    Our team includes a variety of industry experts who work hard to ensure that you receive the highest quality service and information available. We have an array of value-added services, designed for sellers, which include financial guarantees, international marketing programmes, and partnerships with other brokers.

Before the auction

The marketing period starts four to five before a sale with the publication of the online and printed catalogues. These detail all the lots that will be offered in the auction sale and colour photographs of each property. One of our qualified valuers will be instructed to provide a comprehensive and independent information pack which will include title deed information, zoning certificates, municipal information and tenancy schedules (if any).

  • Legal documentation

     

     

    The legal pack will be made available to you. We shall also arrange for prospective Buyers to receive documents by post via 24-48 hour dispatch service if required anywhere in the world.

  • Marketing

     
    In addition to posting the properties on our website, emailing our 100,000 on-line registered property investors, and mailing the catalogue to approximately 10, 000 people, we will target individuals who have previously expressed an interest in similar properties, as well as adjacent occupiers, local agents, local developers, builders and property companies and a myriad of online and digital channels.
    On the advertising side, we take out substantial space in key property publications and have preferential placements in newspapers around the country, giving details of all properties with professional photography. We also place advertisements in local newspapers where we often achieve editorial coverage. We spend approximately R65 million a year in auction advertisements alone.

    A large amount of other local marketing is done including mail-drops, large and prominent signage on the property and street pole advertising in the surrounding

     

     

    area.

     

    In addition to posting the properties on our website, emailing our 100,000 on-line registered property investors, and mailing the catalogue to approximately 10, 000 people, we will target individuals who have previously expressed an interest in similar properties, as well as adjacent occupiers, local agents, local developers, builders and property companies and a myriad of online and digital channels.

    On the advertising side, we take out substantial space in key property publications and have preferential placements in newspapers around the country, giving details of all properties with professional photography. We also place advertisements in local newspapers where we often achieve editorial coverage. We spend approximately R65 million a year in auction advertisements alone.

    A large amount of other local marketing is done including mail-drops, large and prominent signage on the property and street pole advertising in the surrounding area.

     

     

  • Public enquiries

     

     

    During this period, all interest and enquiries are meticulously logged by us in our customised workflow and CRM systems. We will maintain close contacts with potential Buyers and advise you of the strength of interest in your property as well as report any other pertinent issues prior to the auction sale.

  • Reserve price

     

     

    Together, we will agree on a reserve price for your property when the mandate is signed. This is a level below which we will not be authorised to sell in terms of the auction mandate. It is important that this is set realistically.

  • Viewing and inspections

     

     

    Potential purchasers may want to view the property during the marketing period and receive our independent valuation reports and research. We facilitate access and public viewings. In most cases, pre - arranged times are set up for viewing. Details will be printed in each catalogue and in newspaper advertisements.

At the auction

We hold all our auctions either on site or at leading and central city hotels. It is not uncommon for 500 people to attend our larger multiple events creating a buzz and an atmosphere which are crucial to the success of the sale.

All Buyers go through a scrutinising registration process which includes signing acceptance of the Conditions of Sale and acknowledging that they they are aware of the terms and conditions of the auction contract. Each Buyer has to pay a refundable deposit in order to enter the auction sale.

For sellers it is important to note that the fall of the hammer represents a final and binding sale and the successful bidder is legally obliged to pay a deposit, representing a percentage of the purchase price, and sign a Memorandum of Sale before leaving the auction venue. The Conditions of Sale are sent to your attorney and if sent to an attorney on our panel they will advise us regarding the transfer process and any legal matters arising.

The buyer has to purchase your property for the price they have bid together with the auction commission which is payable to us. They may not renegotiate and cannot change any of the terms stipulated. The deposit is held in Trust until registration of transfer.

If you have never sold at an auction before, you may want to attend one of our auctions. The atmosphere of our exhilarating auction events can be extremely exciting and competitive. The prices achieved at the auction can often be higher than those achieved by private treaty.

The Costs

We charge a fee to cover the inspection of the property, marketing, advertising and catalogue production cost. The fee will depend on what has been negotiated with the relevant Business Development Manager and how much advertising is conducted.

In the event of a sale our commission is payable by the purchaser in terms of the Conditions of Sale. We work on risk; if there is no successful sale there is no commission payable.

Our mandate deals with the auction entry fee and the Buyer's commission rate.