Ray White's auction queens

Within the Ray White Group, we’re proud to have some of the most skilled and experienced auction agents, and these remarkable women are leading the way. They have honed their craft, built thriving businesses around auctions, and are passionate about sharing their insights.

They offered their top auction tips to help agents embrace auctions and elevate their business.

Holly Bowden wasn’t always confident running auctions. Early in her career, she worked for a brand that focused on private treaty sales, and the auction process felt overwhelming.

“I’d really panic and get completely stressed out because I didn’t know what I was doing,” she said.

Wanting to master auctions, Holly joined Ray White, drawn to the group's reputation as the market leader.

“They were the only group I looked to join, as we are, and have always been, the market leader in auction success. No other brand compares,” she said.

Since joining Ray White Wilston, Holly has worked in one of the network’s top auction offices. She credited mentor Phil Parker for reinforcing the importance of structure.

“The best advice I could offer is ‘stick to the process,’” she said. "Auctions give clarity to the owner so they know they've secured the absolute best price in the market.

"They've had the time to receive offers, listen to the feedback, and know that when they make the decision to sell they are selling to the premium buyer."

On auction day, she encouraged agents to stay composed.

“Breathe and have confidence that you’ve done the work to achieve the best outcome for your clients," she said.

Trish Orrico always knew she wanted to be an auctioneer. From the moment she started in real estate, she recognised the value of being able to guide her clients through every stage of the sales process.

“I always knew that I wanted to be an auctioneer when I first started in real estate,” she said. “Being able to provide our owners with a full service was very important to me.”

Now an accomplished auction agent at Ray White Craigieburn in Melbourne, Trish understands that a successful auction campaign is about far more than just finding a buyer, it’s about maximising competition.

“It’s not about finding the buyer, it’s about gathering as many bidders as possible,” she said.

When it comes to auction day, she believes agents need to remain clear on their purpose.

“Know your role. Your sole purpose on that day is to work for your owner,” she said. “Put simply, auctions return the highest price possible for our owners.”

Robyn Ellson from Ray White Mt Eden in Auckland embraced auctions early in her career, helping to transform the way homes were sold in her local market.

“I started doing auctions very early in my career back in 2011. It was a big change for the neighbourhood I was focused on, as most homes at that time were being sold ‘by negotiation’ or ‘deadline sale’,” she said.

With the support of experienced mentors, Robyn developed a winning auction strategy that soon caught the attention of sellers in her community.

“My mentors taught me how to build a great auction campaign, and soon the neighbourhood started to notice that my process was working really well,” she said.

A key lesson in her career came during a tougher market when she learned how to navigate a one-bidder auction.

“My auctioneer at the time showed me how I could still sell a house via auction with one bidder,” she said. “As market conditions fluctuate, I remember this, as in tough markets, auctions become the finite date that a buyer works towards to close on a property.”

On auction day, Robyn said she focuses on buyer confidence. For her, auctions remain the best path to a successful sale.

“Make sure you connect with all the buyers you’re helping towards coming to auction and make sure they feel comfortable and that every question they have has been answered,” she said.

“Auction is the safest, most effective way for my vendors to sell their properties, the sale is unconditional. It creates a timeline for me to effectively build competition around their home, understand price, with a planned sale date to strategise around.”