We are Canberra's leading auction experts

 auction advantage works for you


Frank Walmsley is a skilled and practiced auctioneer, strategist, and buyers agent 

who has more than 15 years experience. When you sell it's our responsibility to achieve the best auction sale price. And if you're buying, we'll bring real advantages.


canberra auction questions  

What is the best increment to use when bidding?

What are the standard methods to pay the exchange deposit?

If we are the only registered buyers, should we bid?

We are the only registered bidders, what next?

Can we use a deposit bond?

One of us will be away on auction day. Can we still buy at auction as joint tenants? We require the contract to be in both names.

Is the agent required to tell us if the vendor decides to sell before the auction date?

When is stamp duty payable?

Can you buy residential properties with unapproved structures in Canberra?

Can I withdraw my bid after the auctioneer has taken it?

Can an auctioneer refuse our bid?

What is the minimum campaign run time?

If the property is passed in, and we are the highest bidder, what are our rights and exclusivities?

What forms of ID are required to register?

How can we include a special condition in the contract?

The agency has provided an auction contract allowing for a 30-day settlement period. Can we change the proposed settlement period, the timeframe is too short for us?

Can I buy residential property before the auction date?

How does telephone or remote bidding work?

If items or inclusions that we thought were included are not mentioned in the contract, what can we do?

Can I buy property under the 'Land Rent Scheme'?

Auction Advantage packages

LEARN AUCTION TACTICS

We will give auction strategy advice in a 15-minute phone call.


FREE - no charge 

  • Call seven days, 7am to 11pm.
  • FREE pricefinder.com.au suburb price guide.   
  • Answers to your critical auction questions (Canberra only).
  • Referral to expert service providers such as building and planning experts.
  • FREE AirBNB income predictor report. 
We MAKE Pre-Auction Offers for you

We will execute a pre-auction offer.


$660

inc GST

  • Call seven days, and a face to face meeting in the city.  
  • Handle negotiations directly with agent or owner. 
  • Contract review before the auction.
  • FREE AirBNB income predictor and Price Finder report.
  • Post auction exchange assistance and referrals.
  • FREE Planning Assessment report with guidance on what you can legally build.

Watch an auction

Success in Weston, ACT 2611


Success in Wanniassa, ACT 2903


Success in Pearce, ACT 2607


Iconic result Castle Hill, Tharwa, ACT 2620

Read more about this thrilling sale at allhomes.com.au

Success in Kambah, ACT 2902


Canberra snapshot 2021

How many registered bidders? What types of properties sell best at auction? And how many houses sell pre/post auction? The answers could make a significant difference to your plan.

38%
Zero to one bid

Zero to one registered bidder

69%
Sold at auction

ACT clearance rate 

14%
Sold before auction

Sold pre-auction

i'm interested in a property that will auction soon. what are the next steps?

Implement pre-auction offers

We can coach and support you to handled pre-auction offers directly. Alternatively Frank can work with the owner/agent. A pre-auction offer handled correctly can be a show-stopper. High volume agents who are focused on turnover can be some of the best agents to implement a pre-auction-offer strategy onto.

Bidder coaching 

Canberra has roughly 25 active auctioneers, each with their unique style and idiosyncrasies. You want to know how those auctioneers take bids, how they negotiate and their approach which could potentially save you - the buyer, money. The last bid can be the difference between paying an extra $500 or $10,000! 

Pre-auction negotiation terms

CONSIDER THIS: Agents have 90% influence over pre-auction negotiations yet generally only get paid 2% of the sale price. Unlike pre-auction offers, this process is about getting your preferred terms in place. Frank Walmsley is a negotiation expert who will ensure your preferred terms are set before auction. 

Bid, buy, contract complete

We define objectives before auction day, and arrive on time to bid/negotiate and apply the best auction tactics. If the property passes in we will manage post-auction negotiations too. We ensure the contract is completed as well as any safeguard inclusions, settlement dates and deposits. 

Download your free Planning and Assessment Report

Collaborating with the team from Canberra Granny Flat Builders and Fixed Price Extensions, we will provide you with a detailed Planning Assessment report. This detailed report outlines zoning, setbacks and easements and assist in knowing what is possible on your block. (Canberra only)

Client reviews:

He gave excellent, timely advice and didn’t let the vendors take advantage of us - no matter how hard they tried!!

We recently tried to purchase a property in Canberra while living in Adelaide. We stumbled upon Frank and we are so lucky that we did! In a process that was otherwise incredibly messy, overly complicated and challenging, Frank provided total clarity and consistent good humour!

Frank absolutely loves what he does, and it shows. I felt at all stages that Frank was our coach, cheerleader, advocate and representative. Our calls were ALWAYS answered, he gave excellent, timely advice and didn’t let the vendors take advantage of us - no matter how hard they tried!!

I would recommend Frank to absolutely anyone thinking of going to auction. It’s a tough game and gosh he’s a star player!

Even though we weren’t able to secure the property, Frank’s support reassured us that we had won on the day, walking away at the right time and sticking to our values (and the banks valuations!).

Thanks again Frank, you’re a legend!

Beth and Matt

Not only did Frank give us his expertise advice, he walked us through the process and checked in every step of the way...

We approached Frank for support and advice when buying a property in North Canberra. Frank took time out of his weekend to spend time with us to go through the process of what we needed to do to secure our dream home.

Not only did Frank give us his expertise advice, he walked us through the process and checked in every step of the way. We needed to move quickly on the sale and didn't have a solicitor organised, so, Frank contacted one of his well known solicitors, who called us into his office on a Sunday to sign contracts.

Frank facilitated the whole process of the sale. Frank was succinct in providing information, caring in regards to our needs and wants, and treated us with respect and professionalism as new home buyers.


I cannot highly recommend Frank and his services enough.

When we are ready to buy again, Frank will be our first call.

Frank provided the most incredible, comprehensive and knowledgeable support for us as a buyer agent and bidder.

The process of going to auction can be extremely stressful but Frank’s knowledge of the industry, the market and his personal ethics and commitment to transparency left us feeling not only comfortable but confident.

Franks commitment to his clients goes far beyond what we expected and reflects the care he takes in providing advice and developing and executing a strategy.

Frank gave us great advice and helped us work out exactly what we needed and how to achieve it. I'd highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell.

Frank has been instrumental in providing insights from holistic property market in Canberra to implementing auction strategies, and he has helped us through making sure we do the right things along the way. Thanks!

We approached Frank for support and advice when buying a property in North Canberra. Frank took time out of his weekend to spend time with us to go through the process of what we needed to do to secure our dream home. Not only did Frank give us his expertise advice, he walked us through the process and checked in every step of the way. We needed to move quickly on the sale and didn't have a solicitor organised, so, Frank contacted one of his well known solicitors, who called us into his office on a Sunday to sign contracts. Frank facilitated the whole process of the sale.
Frank was succinct in providing information, caring in regards to our needs and wants, and treated us with respect and professionalism as new home buyers.
I cannot highly recommend Frank and his services enough. When we are ready to buy again, Frank will be our first call.

I have known Frank Walmsley for a relatively short time and we have noticed that Frank is a people person with a natural ability to communicate with anyone. He listens intently and can analyse a situation and formulate a plan for the best possible outcome.

I refer to Frank as being a problem solver. He is a man of his word who follows through with his commitments and shows a genuine interest in helping people.

I can confidently recommend Frank in whatever business venture you might be considering.

Wow! I had a fantastic result at auction with Frank Walmsley. Frank bid on my behalf for the property and he was courteous, helpful, educational, and very reassuring.

This was my first time at an auction and certainly my first time bidding. I did not want to ruin this opportunity with my nerves and inexperience... the house was perfect for us and we were determined to win.

I watched with delight as Frank use his wealth of knowledge and brimming personality to politely roll over the competition. He guided us through each step, carefully making sure we were comfortable and well-informed along the way.

The property was bought within our budget, and with no pressure.

I highly recommend using Frank's services. We will do so again - there is so much value in his service which was pivitol to our success.

Five stars for Frank Walmsley.

I attended two auctions recently, both called by Frank Walmsley from Auction Advantage. Frank made the atmosphere both friendly and welcoming, adding humorous stories to the process. His knowledge of the suburb and Canberra real estate market is impressive.

Frank has helped us scope our options for extending or building a granny flat on the block of our new home. He provides process updates and is very thorough, answering all my questions before I've even thought to ask. Could not fault his service - has so far really helped to take the stress out of buying our home and working through our options to make sure it's the perfect fit for our family. Would definitely recommend ☺️

We recently tried to purchase a property in Canberra while living in Adelaide. We stumbled upon Frank and we are so lucky that we did! In a process that was otherwise incredibly messy, overly complicated and challenging, Frank provided total clarity and consistent good humour! Frank absolutely loves what he does, and it shows. I felt at all stages that Frank was our coach, cheerleader, advocate and representative. Our calls were ALWAYS answered, he gave excellent, timely advice and didn’t let the vendors take advantage of us - no matter how hard they tried!!

I would recommend Frank to absolutely anyone thinking of going to auction. It’s a tough game and gosh he’s a star player!

Even though we weren’t able to secure the property, Frank’s support reassured us that we had won on the day, walking away at the right time and sticking to our values (and the banks valuations!).

Thanks again Frank, you’re a legend!

Beth and Matt

Frank's knowledge and insight helped me to secure my property at the right price. I was confident throughout the process that Frank's advice was in my best interests. I am certain his assistance saved me money, and just as important, made navigating the confusing and challenging buying process seem so much easier.

Frank is one of a kind and an exceptional Auctioneer. Frank has an in depth knowledge of the Auction process and all things property. He is extremely knowledgeable, kind and professional.

Not unlike a Rugby team, preparation is key and having strategy in place well before the Auction is where Frank and Auction Advantage can help. Having worked with Frank on both sides of the Auction process I can attest to their professionalism and tactical skill. For our business, since Auction Advantage has come on board as our Auctioneers we have seen our clearance rate at Auction increase dramatically, but more importantly we have seen a shift in buyers behaviours, they are comfortable and understanding through what is a very stressful transaction. I can highly recommend Frank and his team, it is amazing what a professional approach can bring to the Auction process with good tactics in place.

Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness

Excellent auctioneer. Very attuned to audience in market and achieved a sale well above reserve.

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Value

Good value all round; very knowledgeable and professional, easy to deal with

Frank provided a highly professional auctioneer service which resulted in a successful sale at the auction. Despite only one bidder being registered Frank's cool headed advice and experience in dealing with a wide range of scenarios at auctions achieved a sale price that we were very happy with. Highly recommended.

Frank assisted my wife and I by representing us as our bidding agent. He was extremely knowledgable of the Canberra region's housing market, conducted research for us and even knew the interstate auctioneer personally. He was professional in his approach, calm in manner and in the end secured the property for us at a price we had agreed. I have no hesitation in recommending Frank to assist in your home buying journey.

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

Frank went above and beyond in helping my wife and I buy our first home. He was always a phone call away, always very friendly and knowledgeable about the industry. Highly recommended!

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

Frank recently conducted an auction for us for our property in Yass. We found Frank to be extremely professional, knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. Frank did extensive research on our property and the market, he took time to understand our expectations, and chat to all the registered parties prior to auction. He provided us with good advice and achieved a record sale for our property. We would have no hesitation in recommending Frank.
Peter and Angela Miller

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

Frank Walmsley was the auctioneer of our place in Kambah in November 2020 and he did just what he said he would. He came over and met us a few days pre-auction, found out about ourselves, our home & was very familiar with the building report. On auction day in spite of only 1 serious bidder he achieved a sale price above our reserve with professional and reasoned negotiations between ourselves and the buyer. Frank had also assured us that even not selling at auction day would not be a problem and that he would still ensure good result nonetheless Mike and Therese.

Frank assisted us in securing an investment property at auction. He provided us advice in the days proceeding the auction, and also attended the auction with us. I can confidently say that we would not have been successful at the auction without Frank's assistance. He is personable and very knowledgeable.

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

We approached Frank for advice when exploring the prospects of building a second residence on a property we were interested in buying.

From the get-go, Frank was easy to talk to, willing to help and genuinely keen to form a trusting relationship with us. What’s more, he proactively went above and beyond to give us the information we needed to make an informed decision - all in an incredibly quick turnaround time.

For people like us, with a limited background in the requirements and legalities of second residences and extensions, the information he provided was gold and gave us the confidence to know what to do and what to look for in a property.

Frank also gave valuable guidance about purchasing the property and the auction process. His expert insight and wealth of knowledge in real estate, from his many years of experience in the industry, was apparent from the start.

We strongly recommend Frank’s advice and services to anyone looking to buy a home or build a secondary residence.

Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

Frank knew exactly what to do to put us at ease with the auction process and answered all our questions clearly. On the day, he was so professional and responsive to the bidders. The result of the auction was more than we dared hope for. We highly recommend Auction Advantage.

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Beth and Matt Adelaide, Buying in Wright, Canberra
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Abbey Kennedy Flynn, Canberra
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EMMA & DAVE Pre Auction Buyer - Turner Canberra
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Emma Palandri
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Eric Li
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Abbey Kennedy
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Robert Ermini
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Elisa Sko
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Yana del Valle
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Georgina Byron
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Beth Sebesfi
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Lachlan Hayes
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Kelsey White
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George Southwell
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Marie Slaney
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Derek
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richard ashley
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Steven Brain
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David Toussaint
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Peter MIller
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Therese Nolan
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Julie Vey
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Lilian and Joseph
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Deborah Jones

Canberra auction insights


  • Statistically, more than fifteen bids will be placed if there are three or more registered bidders. The most common bid is $10,000.
  • 30-day settlement contract terms are most common and are encouraged by the agent. Why? Because agents get paid on SETTLEMENT. There are two principal effective strategies to amend the settlement to your preferred settlement terms. 
  • Dealing with unapproved structures is a significant difficulty for prospective buyers. Many additions are exempt from development approval, but retrospective building approval can be obtained. 

get a FREE 15-minute call back: Buyer Q&As

who is Frank Walmsley?

We have seen a shift in buyers behaviours, they are comfortable and understanding through what is a very stressful transaction...

Not unlike a Rugby team, preparation is key and having strategy in place well before the Auction is where Frank and Auction Advantage can help.

Having worked with Frank on both sides of the Auction process I can attest to their professionalism and tactical skill.

For our business, since Auction Advantage has come on board as our Auctioneers we have seen our clearance rate at Auction increase dramatically, but more importantly we have seen a shift in buyers behaviours, they are comfortable and understanding through what is a very stressful transaction.

I can highly recommend Frank and his team, it is amazing what a professional approach can bring to the Auction process with good tactics in place.

Frank is also an excellent negotiator and has achieved many sales at auction, or shortly thereafter that I had not considered possible...

Frank Walmsley, the principal of Auction Advantage. Frank has been calling my residential real estate auctions for three years, with a success rate of over 90 per cent.

Frank has introduced a range of innovative practices and services, many of which are focused on maximising the sale conversion and prices for my clients. Frank is extremely personal and ‘goes the extra mile’ in liaising with me and my clients in preparation for the auction and closing out sales.

He is always willing to attend vendor meetings to explain the auction process and our strategies, to keep vendors fully informed and put their mind at ease to the extent possible.

Frank is also an excellent negotiator and has achieved many sales at auction, or shortly thereafter that I had not considered possible. Frank has displayed integrity at all times, and has provided successful, comprehensive, high quality, and cost effective solutions in connection with the conduct of my residential real estate auctions.

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GEORGE SOUTHWELL Ray White Rural Canberra
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SANDY MORRIS Principal One Agency Sandy Morris

Who are the Best Canberra Agents to Buy From?

Seller agents generally have 90% influence over negotiations when you are buying residential, yet only receive 2% of the final sale price. This outlier is where you can capitalise. Knowing who the best agents are, and which properties to target may save 5 to 7%. To find out more, request a call with our agent.

100%
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If you don't receive the level of service that you expect, I'll send a prompt refund. Frank Walmsley, November 2021 

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."  Winston Churchill

My whole professional life is built on helping people through the craft of negotiations. I started as a cadet real estate agent in my 20's and in my 30's I moved toward business sales while practicing as an auctioneer. Most buyers really dislike auctions and view the property market as capitalism at its best - or worst - depending on your world view. My question is why should you pay more, while agreeing to terms that are not favourable, knowing that money in your pocket could be working harder?

Frank Walmsley  
Auctioneer and strategist     |    0400 446 605

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