Concierge Auctions is a real estate auction company that specializes in one-of-a-kind, ultra-luxury properties. The company has a thorough vetting process for determining which properties make it to auction and who attends the online auctions and in-person events.
While the company is known for its exceptional service, past bidders have filed lawsuits against Concierge Auctions, alleging that the company may inflate bids. Buyers also face a significant buyer’s premium of 12% or more.
Concierge Auctions doesn't charge sellers any fees, but it does recommend that sellers hire a realtor to facilitate the sale after the auction. The typical seller's agent fee is 3%.
The company may work for sellers who need to sell quickly and have a property among the 5% that get accepted to be auctioned on the platform.
For those who don't get accepted or have more time, going to market with a luxury real estate agent may be a good alternative.
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Concierge Auctions highlights
- Concierge Auctions gives owners of ultra-premium homes an option to sell to a pool of pre-vetted high-net-worth (HNW) individuals.
- Sellers pay no fees to Concierge Auctions for facilitating the auction.
- Property owners can sell quickly, in as few as 60 days.
- The company has an upscale marketing package, including custom filmography, 3D walk-throughs, and a PR campaign.
- Concierge Auctions selects from its network of over 850,000 HNW bidders to locate the most suitable buyers.
Who does Concierge Auctions work best for?
Concierge Auctions is ideal for individuals who own luxury real estate and wish to sell their property quickly. High-end homes often take a long time to sell, but through an auction, homeowners can sell in as little as 60 days.
While the company doesn’t disclose exact specifications on the types of homes it sells, auctions typically feature:
- Properties valued at seven figures and higher
- One-of-a-kind luxury and historic homes
- Beachfront and other exclusive waterfront properties
- High acreage properties with high square footage homes
The company is known for using discretion when selecting properties to sell, with only 5% of applicants being chosen.
Who should consider alternatives to Concierge Auctions?
Homeowners with high-value homes that don’t meet Concierge’s requirements, or those who prefer a more traditional route, may want to consider looking into a luxury real estate agent.
Luxury agents provide high-end services for more expensive properties. Most also possess deep market knowledge and have an expansive network to help homeowners connect with the ideal buyer.
Concierge Auctions reviews and complaints
| Source | Avg. rating | Review count |
|---|---|---|
| Zillow | 4.9/5 | 139 |
Due to the exclusive nature of Concierge Auctions’ services, third-party online reviews are sparse. However, it has a 4.9/5 rating on Zillow, as well as numerous positive testimonials on the company website.
Common themes from happy customers include qualified bidders, a fast selling process, and an outstanding team.
While many negative reviews are outdated (over five years old), they suggest that the auction process isn’t always effective, and the high fees for buyers may not be worth it.
✅ A global audience of HNW buyers
The rigorous vetting process conducted by Concierge Auctions enables ultra-luxury property owners to sell at a higher-than-average price. Customers hold the company’s ability to find the right bidders in high esteem.
JACK HOYT IS AMAZING! JACK WORKED DAY AND NIGHT FOR 30 DAYS STRAIGHT USING THE MOST CREATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES IMAGINABLE to get the largest pool of high net worth buyers to my auction in CT. Clearly Concierge is the best way to get to the closing table for the high end properties in today's marketplace and Jack is the one who will get it Done!
I had been trying to sell my beautiful Island summer home for 2 years. There just was no interest... The scope of the local realities was limited as far as advertising goes. I hired Concierge and within 6 weeks my house was sold. Concierge did everything they said they were going to do and did an Amazing Job. Phil Kettell was on point with negotiating the best deal possible for me every step of the way. He worked closely with me and the buyers to make it happen. I would highly reccommend their services.
✅ Outstanding marketing and fast sales
Concierge Auctions’ marketing and PR strategy helps facilitate a quick sale. As a result, customers who may wait years to sell exclusive homes on the open market can sell in around two months.
We sold our home Casa Karen in Cabo San Lucas in January with Concierge . It was one of the best real estate decisions we have ever made ! The Concierge Team was phenomenal from the start to the finish . In my opinion it is the most effective method of selling luxury real estate . You pick the date your home is to be sold and to close.
I wanted to sell my villa at the Tryall Club in Sandy Bay, Jamaica for a long time and traditional local brokers could not generate any activity. Concierge Auctions put a terrific team together and with the help of the likes of Susan Sacher, Sarena Irwin and Chad Roffers, they produced a transaction on a very timely basis. Their marketing effort was superb and their reach was global.
✅ A highly qualified and professional team
According to most reviewers, the team at Concierge Auctions and the service they provide are exceptional. The company’s staff makes sure that sellers understand the selling process and what to expect on auction day.
We worked with Susan Sacher and she was terrific -- the process was smooth and convenient. Susan made every effort to give us access to the house at convenient hours, provide the information we needed and when necessary expend the extra effort to get us comfortable. Concierge Auctions provide a helpful service and I'll continue to seek them out for personal and investment opportunities.
Alex Gray of Concierge Auctions was incredibly hospitable and knowledgeable about the property we toured. He did a wonderful job of showing us the home, and was an absolute pleasure to spend time with. Concierge provided top notch service and I would use their services again in a heartbeat.
❌ Some auctions don’t sell for the desired price
While most customers report a high selling price, the auction process doesn’t work for everyone. One upset customer felt they sold for well under their property’s actual value.
I wish I could write a glowing report about their very kind and intelligent team, and their hard work on my behalf. But the result was an unmitigated disaster at 60% of the expected low-end price, and a cost to me of millions of dollars lost. Along with the public embarrassment that went with the local visibility of the auction.
Concierge Auctions review breakdown
Service quality
🔑 Key points:
- Exclusive service for high-end homeowners
- High-touch marketing and PR campaigns
- Some auctions may not sell at the expected price
- Previous bidders say prices are inflated
The auction house’s white-glove service stands out from other real estate auction companies.
Backed by the long-standing reputation of Sotheby’s — the world’s oldest auction house, founded in 1744[1] — the company prides itself on premium service. According to the company’s website, it only accepts 5% of applicants to maintain exclusivity.
Despite its exclusive nature and HNW clientele, the company has faced allegations of inflating bids. These cases were either settled or dismissed by 2019.[2]
Offer quality
🔑 Key points:
- Auctions often sell at the desired price
- Hand-picked bidders can drive bidding wars
- Auctions are unpredictable
Property owners often sell at or above market value when they choose Concierge Auctions. The company’s bidder selection process and marketing tactics frequently attract the right bidding demographic to facilitate the best possible sale.
However, there’s always a risk when selling at auction. Mel K., a seller from Fort Lauderdale, said he would have liked to see his property sell for more, but he understands that it’s the nature of the process.[3]
Fees and other costs
🔑 Key points:
- Sellers pay no fees to Concierge Auctions
- Agent assistance is encouraged, and realtor fees still apply
- Buyers pay a premium for the service
Concierge Auctions doesn’t charge sellers for using its auction service, but that doesn’t mean sellers pay nothing to sell through the auction house.
According to the Concierge Auctions’ website, the company still recommends working with a real estate agent and legal counsel to ensure a smooth closing process.[4] Listing agent fees can cost sellers around 3%, and legal fees can vary widely.
Buyers pay a buyer’s premium on their winning bid, which is 12% for US residents and 15% for non-residents.
In the event of defaulting on the winning bid, buyers forfeit a $100,000 bidding deposit and are still responsible for paying Concierge Auctions 12% of the winning bid.
Credibility
🔑 Key points:
- Co-owned by Sotheby’s and Reology Holdings
- Active in 46 US states and 38 countries
- Recognized by multiple publications and award lists
Chad Roffers and Laura Brady established Concierge Auctions in 2004. After years of success, the co-founders sold an 80% share in the company to Sotheby’s and Reology Holdings Corp.[5]
Concierge Auctions has been featured in prestigious lists and won awards, including:
- The Telly Awards
- Inc. 5000
- The Entrepreneur 360 List
Despite lawsuits brought against Concierge Auctions in the 2010s, the company is a dominant force in the ultra-luxury market. A press release on EIN Presswire states that the company sold $400 million in property in 2024.[6]
Concierge Auctions vs. alternatives
Concierge Auctions caters to a niche market that many companies don’t directly compete with. Property owners with luxury homes that don't meet the company’s stringent requirements may want to consider other real estate companies, including low-commission brokers.
On high-value properties, realtor fees are especially high, often costing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, sellers with luxury properties can still get premium service at a lower cost.
For example, Clever Real Estate and Redfin both offer full service for a 1.5% listing fee (half the traditional rate). On a $5 million home, that rate would save you $75,000.
Clever has agents in its network who work with homes over $1 million. Each agent is thoroughly vetted, experienced, and highly rated by customers. You get dedicated, personalized support from an agent, as well as a concierge service to ensure your sale goes as smoothly as possible.
Redfin has a service called Redfin Premier that connects homeowners with Redfin agents who specialize in high-end homes. It offers premium marketing and listing services. The availability of luxury agents may be limited in some markets, and you may work with multiple people throughout your sale instead of one dedicated point-of-contact.
Concierge Auctions locations
Concierge Auctions is a global company and has sold properties in 46 US states and 38 countries. Prospective sellers should contact the company directly to determine if its services are available in their area.
Methodology
We evaluate each auction platform based on five core criteria:
- Customer reviews
- Service quality
- Offer quality
- Fees and other costs
- Credibility
Customer reviews
Review analysis. We perform an in-depth analysis of all the available customer reviews to determine trends. We break down the reviews by theme and sentiment and filter out spam reviews to determine our rating.
Company responsiveness. Negative reviews are part of doing business; however, we take note of whether a company is actively involved in resolving customer complaints.
Service quality
Customer experience. We rely on secret shopping and fact-checking interviews with company representatives to look for indicators that the company is professional, communicative, customer-focused, and ethical in its dealings with customers. We verify this information against customer reviews and interviews with past customers or professionals (realtors, former employees) who have had direct experience working with the brand.
Offer quality
Price. While nearly all cash buyers pay less than market value for homes, we look at how competitive the company's offers are compared to similar companies.
Purchase criteria. We also look at the company's purchase criteria to see how flexible and accommodating they are in making offers. Companies that offer a fair price for homes that other buyers won't purchase can still get a high rating for offer quality.
Fees and other costs
Competitiveness. We look at how the company's fees and other costs compare to competitors.
Value. We consider whether the fees are justified by the value offered.
Credibility
Trust signals. We look at how long the company has been in business, the number of verified customer reviews it has, how willing the company was to answer questions about its business model when we contacted it, and how easy it is to find detailed information on its website — including the names and contact details of specific team members. We also look at customer reviews to determine whether the company acts with honesty and integrity in its business dealings.
