Welcome to the modern way of buying and selling high-value homes. Our process is designed to replace the uncertainty of the traditional luxury real estate market with transparency, speed, and competition.
A typical auction timeline is 30 days or less.
Instant Gavel is not a real estate brokerage and works with real estate agents on every auction.
We auction the nation’s finest homes, not distressed properties.
We don’t list everything. We only accept properties that meet our standards for quality.
Luxury real estate auction platform purpose-built to achieve maximum efficiency and value for entry-level luxury home sales.
The world's largest luxury real estate auction marketplace, and majority owned by Sotheby’s, the world’s premier destination for fine art and luxury goods, and Compass (NYSE: COMP), Instant Gavel operates independently, partnering with real estate agents affiliated with many of the industry's leading brokerages to host luxury auctions.
2–3 weeks – curated storytelling, global outreach, showings
1–2 weeks – online competitive auction with Soft Gavel anti bid-sniping
1–6 weeks – title, escrow, and funds transfer.
We don’t list everything. We only accept properties that meet our standards for quality.
Sellers and agents provide detailed property submission with high-resolution photos, and due diligence.
Our team reviews every property submission within 24 hours. Properties best suited for Instant Gavel are well maintained listings between $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. Properties above this range are likely best suited for our white-glove service, Concierge Auctions. Distressed properties will not be considered.
Our team will set your Instant Gavel, an early bid that wins the auction before it opens, and an unpublished reserve price for you to sign-off on.
From immediate listings with Instant Gavel to white glove service with Concierge Auctions, our team will help identify the right service to meet your goals.
Once accepted, we don't just "list" your asset; we tell its story to the largest database of high net worth property connoisseurs in the world.
Our professional copywriters craft an objective, thorough property description focusing on lifestyle, architectural features, design elements, specifications, condition, and history.
We utilize high-resolution galleries, 3D virtual tours, and "walkthrough" videos to give buyers total confidence from anywhere in the world. Assets are all made available for listing agent distribution.
All essential documents (inspections, disclosures, title reports, purchase agreement) are made available upfront to ensure a transparent, "as is, where-is" sale. Buyers are responsible for conducting their own diligence prior to bidding.
We create a "funnel" of interest before the first bid is even placed.
A full auction cycle typically lasts 3-4 weeks with open bidding for 7-14 days.
Instant Gavel is marketed to a Concierge Auction’s 1M proprietary database of 950,000+ high-net-worth individuals, property enthusiasts, and top producing agents.
The public listing description is updated with auction details and a property marketing package is created for agent distribution including print, social, and digital assets. A property page will be featured on InstantGavel.com digital platform where thousands of daily visitors can "watch," comment, and share.
Transparency is key. A public comment section on each property page allows potential buyers to ask questions directly to the seller and listing agent, fostering a community-vetted environment that builds trust.
Our auctions are designed to find the true market value through fair, transparent competition.
Most auctions run for a set period, usually 7-14 days. We offer "Reserve" auctions (a minimum price must be met to guarantee a sale) with estimated sale range derived from market analysis. A bid placed within the estimated sale range has a strong likelihood of winning, in our opinion.
To ensure fairness, if a bid is placed in the final minutes, the clock is automatically extended (typically by 2-3 minutes). The auction only ends when bidding has truly ceased.
To maintain integrity, all bidders must register and provide identification, credit card hold, and proof of funds before participating.
We move from "Sold" to "Closed" quickly. This is where the listing agent and closing agent step in.
Once the hammer falls, we introduce the closing agent to kick-off closing logistics.
Transactions are as-is, where-is and designed to close quickly—typically within 30 days of the auction's end, but can be up to 60 days depending on buyer financing. The earnest money deposit and signed purchase agreement are due within two business days after the auction.
- Sellers pay traditional closing costs per the purchase agreement. There is no seller fee to Instant Gavel. We cover all agent commissions.
- Buyers pay a flat 10% "Buyer’s Premium" (a percentage of the final price) which covers the cost of the high-touch auction platform.
Find answers to the most common questions about the platform, fees, bidding, and the closing process.
