Barfoot & Thompson Launches Online Auctions
Our real estate auctioneers are swapping their podium for a video camera as the company launches a new online auction service, through Auctions Live. While others have had live-streamed auctions combined with phone bidding, we are the first real estate agency in New Zealand to allow people to place bids online using the AuctionsLive Platform.
During the company’s 97 years in industry, business has always been done face-to-face, but as the real estate landscape changes, so too has our service offering. We have adapted to the current environment using a suite of online and interactive digital marketing tools, including online auctions.
Through Auctions Live, we have the ability to provide clients with an online auction experience, streamed directly from barfoot.co.nz. To participate, buyers register to bid either through a salesperson or online. Bids may be made over the phone, or using the Bidder AUCTIONS LIVE app on their smartphone or tablet.
The online auction service is part of a holistic suite of tools designed for our salespeople. The Barfoot & Thompson mobile app has been available since 2012. Now we’ve introduced online contract signing, virtual appraisals, virtual viewing using video conferencing tools or 3D virtual tours, virtual renovations, and the virtual Furnish product that allows buyers to test their furniture in the new house.
Some of the immediate benefits of this service include:
- Buying or selling from the comfort of vendors homes, from anywhere in the world.
- Any bidder who may be uncomfortable with bidding online will still be able to bid through their chosen salesperson who can place the bids on their behalf.
- Translations for non-English speakers, drawing on the over 50 different languages spoken by the sales team.
- The app allows for human error, with a Withdraw Bid button and facility to change the amount bid, via a reset button.
This online auction solution also provides relief to vendors who have settled and can now look to buy as well as those vendors who have been ready to sell their properties prior to the lockdown period.
The sales process through online auctions is completed with the usual contracts, documents and deposit arrangements. All bids submitted via the online system are legally binding.
Check out our website for more information - barfoot.co.nz/onlineauctions
