Concierge Auctions is a real estate auction company focused on high-end properties. The company assists high-net-worth homeowners in selling exclusive estates within 60 days or less.
If you own a unique property valued at seven figures or more, Concierge Auctions’ services could be a great match. However, most applicants don’t make it to auction due to the company’s strict vetting requirements.
For those who want a more traditional selling process and aren’t in a hurry to sell, going to market with a luxury realtor may be a more suitable option.
If you want to find luxury agents near you, consider using Clever Real Estate. Clever's free service can match you with local agents who have experience selling homes worth $1 million or more. You'll get full service from a top-rated agent — and you'll save on realtor commissions. Get a luxury agent for a 1.5% listing fee instead of the traditional 3%.
Concierge Auctions summary
| ⭐ Customer rating | 4.9 / 5 (139 reviews) |
| ✅ Pros | Sell quickly No seller fees High offers |
| ❌ Cons | 12% or 15% buyer's premium Sellers need a listing agent Only 5% of applicants accepted |
| 🏢 Company details | Real estate auction company Founded in 2004 Headquartered in New York Part-owned by Sotheby’s |
| 📍 Locations | Global |
| 🏠 Specializes in | Ultra-premium properties |
Who it's best for | Customer reviews | Pros and cons | Best alternatives | How it works | Bottom line
Who Concierge Auctions works best for
Concierge Auctions is best for high-profile homeowners who own properties valued over $1 million.
The company doesn’t disclose what qualifies a home to sell in one of its auctions, but it does mention that homes it sells are:
- One-of-a-kind or historic homes
- Attached to beachfront (or waterfront) property
- On significant acreage
Concierge Auctions advertises that it can sell homes in 60 days or less and markets the home as is, removing the need for repairs before selling.
Who Concierge Auctions doesn't work best for
Concierge Auctions may not be the best fit for someone who prefers a traditional approach to selling their home.
The auction company usually attracts the right clientele to purchase properties at close to or above market value.
However, there is an inherent risk associated with selling at auction, and some previous customers have stated that they sold below what they thought their home was worth.
Concierge Auctions reviews
| Source | Customer rating |
|---|---|
| Zillow | 4.9 / 5 (139 reviews) |
Concierge Auctions is exclusive, without many reviews on third-party sites. But it does have an excellent rating on Zillow, and the company website features testimonials from many happy clients.
The positive reviews highlighted the company’s ability to effectively market properties, attract qualified buyers, and deliver outstanding customer service. Customers also appreciated the attention to detail.
On the negative side, a few customers complained about a slow return process on bidding deposits and about the company’s buyer’s premium being higher than it should be. All negative reviews are more than five years old and may not accurately represent Concierge Auctions’ current services.
Positive Concierge Auctions reviews
✅ Outstanding offer quality
Happy customers highlighted how Concierge Auctions helped them maximize the value of their home at auction. Many reviewers and listing agents stated that they made close to the home’s actual value when selling.
| Matteethra J. “Especially in today's market, I haven't found another company that can confidently deliver a time-certain sale at market value. I'm extremely excited to see what global attention the company can garner, and ultimately transfer those prospects into competitive bidders on auction day.” Source: Concierge Auctions Testimonials |
✅ Unbeatable reach and certain sales
One issue with ultra-luxury real estate is that many homes spend an extended period on the real estate market. Concierge Auctions bypasses that waiting period through its marketing and auction process.
| Michael S. “When we decided to sell the property, our first choice was to go straight to auction on the Concierge Auctions platform in conjunction with the top listing agent in Hawaii. Their process has evolved so much, and their reach combined with the certainty of a sale is unbeatable.” Source: Concierge Auctions Testimonials |
✅ Transparent buying process and upfront due diligence
Prospective buyers must pass due diligence and can bid online or attend in-person events to purchase, making the selling experience easier. The guaranteed non-contingent offer means sellers don’t need to worry about deals falling through.
| Brittny C. “[Concierge Auctions has] a proven track record of effective marketing strategy to the local community as well as to global perspective consumers. Concierge Auctions' technology provides buyers with transparency in buying through their live bidding platform and providing a property's due diligence package upfront.” Source: Concierge Auctions Testimonials |
Complaints against Concierge Auctions
❌ Slow return of bidder deposits
According to Concierge Auctions’ website, the company returns bidding deposits within three business days after the auction. However, in 2018, one customer claimed they had to wait longer after choosing not to attend the auction due to delays.
| Eric L. “I provided to Concierge a $100,000 deposit on a house that we were going to bid on, the house didnt go up for auction on Nov 27th as scheduled but was delayed until Jan 27th, we decided ask for the return of the deposit but as of Dec 20th we have not received our funds so far.” Source: Zillow |
Concierge Auctions pros and cons
Pros
- Expedited selling times at auction
- Individualized marketing and PR campaigns
- No direct fees charged to sellers
Cons
- Buyers pay a 12% or 15% fee at closing
- Most applicants won’t be accepted by Concierge Auctions
- Auctions may not bring in the full market value
According to Concierge Auctions’ Luxury Home Index, it typically takes luxury homes over 300 days to sell.[1] One significant pro of working with the auction house is that sellers are sure they will sell in a fraction of the time.
Concierge Auctions’ customers also receive outstanding marketing support, including:
- Email campaigns directed at qualified bidders
- National PR campaigns to drive buzz in the news
- Targeted digital marketing campaigns toward HNW individuals
The most significant downside of trying to work with Concierge Auctions is that the company selects a very small number of applicants. To maintain exclusivity, the company only selects 5% of the most qualified properties to showcase at auction.[2]
Also, Concierge Auctions charges buyers a high premium on the sale price: 12% for US residents and 15% for buyers residing outside the US.
Alternatives to Concierge Auctions
| Company | Listing fee | Avg. customer rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clever Real Estate | 1.5% | 5 / 5 (3,000+ reviews) |
| Redfin | 1.5% | 2.7 / 5 (400+ reviews) |
An auction isn't your only option for selling luxury real estate.
Companies like Clever Real Estate and Redfin can connect you with agents who specialize in home sales of $1 million or more. Both also charge a listing fee of just 1.5%. Compared to the traditional 3%, you'd save $15,000 on a $1 million sale, and $75,000 on a $5 million sale.
Clever has a higher rating from customer reviews on third-party sites. You also may get more personalized service with a Clever agent than with a Redfin agent. Redfin has a service called Redfin Premier that's specifically for luxury sales.
Concierge Auctions: How it works
Selling with Concierge Auctions
- Apply online or contact Concierge Auctions directly. Concierge Auctions offers a convenient online form to submit your property for review. Or you can call or email the company directly.
- Set an auction date and market your home. If you are a match for Concierge’s services, the team will work with you to schedule an auction date and begin creating assets for your marketing campaign, such as a custom film and 3D walk-through.
- List your home on the digital marketplace. As your marketing campaign launches, the Concierge Auctions team will post your home live on its exclusive digital marketplace to generate more exposure.
- Go to auction. Depending on your preference, the Concierge team will host an in-person event, an online auction, or a hybrid experience to sell your home.
- Close on your home. After the auction ends, you will work with your real estate agent and legal team to finalize the sale.
While Concierge Auctions doesn’t charge sellers directly, the company strongly suggests hiring a selling agent and real estate attorney to assist in selling your home.
The seller's agent commission typically costs 3% of the final offer, and legal fees will vary depending on the price you negotiate with your attorney.
Buying with Concierge Auctions
- Agree to the bidder terms and conditions. All bidders must sign the Bidder Terms & Conditions and the Starting Bid & Agent Registration form, as well as present a valid form of identification, before the due diligence process.
- Provide proof of funds. After you register as a bidder, the due diligence process begins. The Concierge Auctions team will reach out to ensure you have enough liquid assets to make a non-contingent offer on your desired property.
- Put down the bidder’s deposit. All bidders must place a $100,000 good-faith deposit at the start of the auction. If you win, the deposit will be deducted from the final bid. If you lose, the deposit will be returned within three business days.
- Bid on the property and close. If you win the auction, you will pay the buyer’s premium and close on the property. Concierge Auctions recommends working with a real estate broker and an attorney to facilitate all closing arrangements.
Concierge Auctions charges a buyer's premium of 12% (for US residents) or 15% (for non-residents) on the winning bid. Buyers should also expect to hire a real estate attorney and pay the agreed-upon rate.
Concierge Auctions reviews: The bottom line
Concierge Auctions offers high-net-worth property owners a white-glove real estate service that significantly accelerates the selling process.
Rather than waiting nearly a year or more to sell on the open market, ultra-luxury homes typically sell in just 60 days via auction. Concierge Auctions provides a boutique marketing experience that leverages its pool of approximately 850,000 qualified buyers.
The company also has a successful track record. According to a press release on EIN Newswire, Concierge Auctions achieved a record $400 million in revenue in 2024.[3]
While the service is fantastic for select property owners, 95% of applicants won’t be chosen to sell at auction. This strict selection process means that exploring other options is a must.
Alternatives include companies like Clever Real Estate. Clever's free service helps you compare local agents who meet your specific criteria, including experience with luxury real estate. It also offers lower listing fees of just 1.5% instead of the usual 3%, saving you $15,000 on a $1 million home sale.
