Both novices and experts in the real estate world were put through their paces today at the National Real Estate Auctioneers Champs.
House prices have experienced a slump in recent times, but auctioneers say that is brought more business their way, as buyers and sellers seek a middle man, or woman, to bring the two parties closer together.
From the outside looking in, you could be forgiven for thinking keys in a bowl is a rather strange set-up for an auctioneer’s competition.
But it is, and these are the eight novices that had just eight minutes each to make a sale and win the respect of their peers.
One by one, they were led down the corridor and into the lions den.
To be a novice means competitors must have completed no more than ten auctions to date, some had never conducted an auction.
“Then I'll give you a brief description of the property just to wet your appetite for you,” says rookie auctioneer Bill McCormick.
“Then the fun part begins,” says Mr McCormick, who looked the part until a minor case of ‘dead’ air.
The rules were fairly straightforward; the novices could pretend sell any place they like.
There were three bidders in the crowd, who would also throw in a question or two.
Six judges had the fate of these guys in their hands... They were looking for the full package, from standard of dress, to their bidding skills.
“Being able to count numbers, if you can't count numbers you shouldn't be an auctioneer really. You have to be able to count numbers in your head and look for the next one and try and control that bidding process,” says Chief Judge Ross Foreman.
In the main event there was some noticeable tension in the air as the four finalists got all pumped up before they hit the stage to strut their stuff.
Each contestant was given the same property in upmarket Parnell to sell.
Judges were looking for the person who was well organised, quick, and agile.
“They don't know what's going to happen next and they're not worrying too much about what's going to happen next they can handle the next situation and handle it with style,” Mr Foreman says.
The man to beat was defending champion and Australasian champion Mark Sumich.
The real estate institute which hosted today's event says despite the bad press the auction market is doing just fine, especially in Auckland.
In the end of course there could be only one winner. Mark Sumich was crowned the champ again.
“It's just a great buzz to beat these guys. Everyone is trying so hard. To get the chocolates today is just so important to me,” says Mr Sumich