Choosing the Right Selling Strategy: Auction, Private Sale or Off-Market?
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home isn’t just the price, it’s how you choose to sell. The right strategy can be the difference between achieving a premium result and leaving money on the table. At Buyers Advocate, our Vendor Advocacy service helps sellers cut through the noise and make the smartest choice for their property and the current market.
Auction — creating competitive tension
An auction can be highly effective when there’s strong buyer demand, especially in tightly held areas or for properties with broad appeal. Auctions create a transparent competitive environment, often driving prices above expectations when buyers become emotionally invested.
But auctions can backfire if buyer depth is thin as you risk an underwhelming turnout or passing in below your expectations.
Private Sale — control and flexibility
A private sale offers more control over the process, including price setting, negotiation, and timing. It works well when your property appeals to a narrower buyer pool or when you want a more measured, less public campaign.
However, setting the right asking price is critical as too high and buyers won’t engage, too low and you risk underselling.
Off-Market — quiet, but not always better
Off-market campaigns are often promoted as a way to sell discreetly or avoid the hassle of open inspections. Most agencies will test the waters pre-campaign to see if there are any buyers on their database that are prepared to pay a premium price. This can work well particularly with larger agencies who have a big pool of buyers looking for the type of property you have to sell. Selling off-market can also mean you miss out on the competitive tension that drives prices even higher.
Why independent advice matters
Every selling method has its place but understanding which one will work best for your home in today’s market is critical. Agents are incentivised to win listings, which can sometimes lead to advice that benefits them more than you.
That’s where our Vendor Advocacy comes in. We work exclusively for you to:
Selling is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Having an experienced advocate on your side ensures you choose the right path from the start.
Thinking of selling?
We’d love to talk you through your options and ensure you have the right strategy and the right agent working for you.