eBay your house

Speaking of humanity, wanna buy a house? A long-time IT industry friend Gwen John & her husband are selling their house in Sydney – via auction on eBay. Given that Sydney real estate – and auctions specifically – is going through a tough patch right now, they’ve come up with an interesting approach that couples the power of the internet with most peoples distaste for in-person auctions.

Gwen writes in an email:

We’ve decided to put our house on eBay for an online auction. It will operate the same as a normal auction — except buyers have the luxury of time to decide how much they’re prepared to pay for their new home. And, unlike a sale by private treaty, buyers will know exactly what they’re up against in terms of their competition. Like a traditional sales process, the house will be open for inspection during the entire campaign (Saturdays, 12-12:45).

This is a genuine listing and perhaps the first sale of its kind, using the internet to conduct an auction, rather than a live auctioneer. The house is still listed with a real estate agent who will continue to manage the sales process on our behalf.

She’s got photos, and the house is currently listed on eBay here. Good luck!