Property auctions have a real sense of theatre about them, as rival bidders try to outdo each other to land their dream home. But they are not everyone’s cup of tea, especially for those who don’t like the glare of the spotlight.

 We are taking the auction to the buyers and not forcing the buyers to the auction.

Now a new tool is available for those who want to take part in the bidding but avoid the crowds that sometimes are attracted to auctions. Some real estate agents are already allowing potential buyers to bid online, and believe online auctions will become more popular in Australia over the next couple of years.

• The changing face of the Australian beach house
• Interstate property investing on the rise, say experts
• Why we have grand designs on beautiful homes

“They are just starting in Australia at the moment and there are a couple of sites available,” says PRDnationwide managing director Tony Brasier.

While they are not widespread at the moment, there are a number on their way. “In the next 12 to 18 months you are going to see a lot more of it here,” Brasier says. “Most distressed property such as mortgagee sales and receivership sales in the United States is being sold this way.”

Mr Brasier says online auctions initially will be held simultaneously with a traditional on-site auctions so bidders who are not present can vie with those who are.

Online auctions to suit people who want to avoid a crowd.

The former Real Estate Institute of Australia president believes the online property auctions will quickly gain popularity because Aussies using the internet are already used to bidding for goods through eBay and other sites.

And he says it will suit people who don’t like to be surrounded by others when bidding. Mr Brasier adds anyone who is a registered bidder “from around the world” can take part in an online auction.

David Scholes, managing director of the Australian auction site auctionworksonline.net.au, says his site provides an online “platform” for properties to be sold, with “legally enforceable contracts” which have been tested with by private, government and financial sellers.

He says the online auction process is particularly useful for those who want to sell hard-to-access rural real estate, but will also have appeal for internet-savvy city users.

“I could see there was a major gap in Australia for people who did not like stress of a physical auction,” Mr Scholes says.

“When you consider it, at a physical auction buyers have to make a decision in a very short amount of time, which is usually three to four minutes.

“We have taken the best parts out of the auction process and eliminated the stress. We are taking the auction to the buyers and not forcing the buyers to the auction. They do not have to leave home and can do everything online from home.”

Mr Scholes, a New South Wales-based licensed auctioneer, says he works with established estate agents Australia-wide to list properties and then auction them.

Online auctions to be held at the same time as traditional auctions.

“Once the agent lists the property to be sold, they approach us and we register them,” he explains.

“They (the agent) get a log-in and a password, which allows them to upload properties, set the marketing campaign timeline and determine the number of days they want the auction to run, from one to 14 days.”

He adds that the online auction works in a similar fashion to a traditional called auction, with bidders trying to outdo each other by making registered rival bids until one is declared successful.

He estimates that his site has conducted more than 200 auctions since it was launched in the middle of 2013, and believes it will grow quickly in the coming months because it has checks and balances to protect the consumer.

“There is no financial transaction done online,” Mr Scholes says. “The exchange of contract and payment of the deposit must be done by 5pm the day following the auction. Every property’s contract has that clause included.”

And while he can see his business growing, he does not believe it will see the demise of the live or called auction.

“I can’t see the traditional auction process being replaced or eroded by this (online) system,” Mr Scholes says. “Because there will always be people who like the excitement of a live auction. This is an alternative.”

Tony Brasier is a distant relative of the author. The pair have never met.