Choosing the right auctioneer

Sadly for auctioneers, their reputation is often considered only one step up from a used car salesman. Many people find it difficult to trust auctioneers and especially as a purchaser in Ireland's competitive property market people feel unsure of what they are being told by the agent acting on behalf of the vendor.

Of course, this type of cliché can be unfair and auctioneering is a professional body governed by various organisations which oversee the ethics and methods of their members.

This can be a good starting place when looking for an auctioneer to act on your behalf. Find out if they are a member of a professional organisation and whether or not they have qualifications in their area. Of course, for auctioneers, word of mouth is a great form of gaining new business but there is no harm in background checks after you have heard favourable reports.

You will be familiar with the varying signs from the different companies within your own area and it can be quite simple to establish the most popular. However, this does not give you any information regarding their costs or indeed the service that they provide while acting on your behalf.

Like anything else it is important to shop around for the best price when instructing an auctioneer to act on your behalf. Make sure that you are comparing like with like when it comes to prices.

If you are selling a property there will be the professional fees pertaining to its sale. In addition to this, you will also have outlay, advertising fees, signage etc. Do not be afraid to ask your potential auctioneer for a detailed breakdown of these fees.

Discuss the type of advertising that you feel would be appropriate for your property. There may not be a need to spend excessive amounts in relation to advertising and marketing in this way. It is also important to establish the level of involvement that you will have in relation to the sale of your property. There is nothing worse than being left in the cold regarding the progress which is being made with potential purchasers or even with regards to the level of interest in your property and how the leads are being chased up.

First impressions last as the saying goes. Remember your first impression of your auctioneer whether it was over the phone or in person. Did they seem friendly? Would they seem trustworthy to a purchaser. Are they aware of the market around them and up to speed with local developments within your area which may affect your property value?

As someone who has both purchased and sold properties over the last year, I have had my fair share of dealings with auctioneers from the very good to the very bad. I viewed a property with an auctioneer and loved it. I subsequently made an offer on the property, which was accepted, and I arranged access to measure up the property for new flooring etc. Only at this stage did it come to my attention that the brochure boasted an extra room that the property simply did not have. I rang the auctioneer to explain that as material facts had changed, I would not be proceeding with the property on the purchase price agreed. I was told simply, that there was a disclaimer at the bottom of the brochure and I was welcome to my deposit back.

In light of this I realised how important it is not to rely simply on other peoples' information. Mistakes can be made. Do your own research in relation to a property and the surrounding areas. Also, make sure that any literature in relation to the sale of your property is 100% correct, as it will only cause delays at a later stage in the proceedings.

Expect only the best from your auctioneer and keep in regular contact with him or her. Be as up to speed as he/she is in relation to the progress of your property on the market. If you build a professional and mutually beneficial relationship with your auctioneer at the outset, there is no reason why the relationship cannot continue into the future as you climb the property ladder.