Could you please share your opinion on the benefits of having a absolute auction vrs. a reserve auction.Why would anyone not submit a reserve price for their property?Will be selling a commercial piece at auction soon with a small payoff pending and would like know the pros and cons of each.
The biggest benefit of an absolute auction is the interest and size of the crowd that will be at the auction if:
1. The property is desirable. The better the property, the more interest you will have and the more willing people will be to come bid.
2. It is properly and aggressively marketed. If the auction company you use does not get the word out about the auction, it is probably not going to go as well as you would like.
Bidders like absolute auctions because they know the property will sell. They don't feel like their wasting their time. This is why people would choose to sell their property at absolute auction. They want any potential bidders to know that they have fully committed to selling. In all the years I have been doing auctions, a well marketed absolute auction for a desirable property has always been a successful sale.
The biggest con of an absolute auction is obviously that there is a level of risk involved. You can eliminate most of this risk by doing the following:
1. Try to take a look at the property you are selling through the eyes of a buyer and be realistic with yourself about you would be willing to pay for it today in this market. Don't think about what you could have sold it for in 2004 or some other factor that has nothing to do with what it is worth right now. If the price you come up with is less than what you want or need, then you should rethink your decision to auction it.
2. Don't be afraid to question the company conducting your auction about where and how they intend to market your property. See what properties like yours they have been successful at selling. Bottom line is make sure that they are getting the word out properly.
The only other thing I will add is that the decision to sell at absolute auction has to be your decision. Do not let someone try to pressure you into an absolute auction. I would never tell someone to consider absolute if I didn't feel 100% certain it was in their best interest. I always do what you asked me to do in this post. I give the pros and cons and let the seller decide if it is right.