While selling properties at auction may traditionally have been the preserve of landlords who wanted to get their house sold quickly, with more concern for speed that getting the right price, property expert Phil Spencer, and founder of the property advice website Move IQ says that's no longer the case.

He cites the Modern Method of Auction approach as an example of how far we've come and a less stressful alternative:

“The MMA is an online auction process, much like eBay, in which the home is advertised over an extended period – typically 30 days or so – and prospective buyers can place a bid at any point in that time.

“This is more gentle and familiar than the adrenaline-fuelled experience of a traditional auction, which takes place at a set time and ends with the winning bidder signing a contract, and paying an immediate, non-refundable deposit of 10% to secure the property."

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