How a Single Buyer Can Create the Strongest Auction Result

The Power of One Bidder

Watch the video below to see how a one-bidder auction can play out — and why it can still deliver a powerful result for all parties involved.

When you run an auction and only one buyer shows up, you might think that means a weak result – but actually, a one-bid auction can work brilliantly for everyone involved: the seller, the buyer, and the agent. Because when there’s only one bidder, that buyer is motivated to act unconditionally and confidently on the day, knowing they don’t have to out-compete anyone else. This builds pressure and clarity: the buyer bids, the deal happens, and the seller gets a clean outcome. The agent secures a solid result too, with fewer variables.

On the flip side, the buyer must make the move then and there, if they hesitate, the momentum fades, and once conditional buyers can re-enter the mix, the price may climb beyond what they were willing to commit. The weekend’s auction (watching how that single bidder stepped up) illustrated precisely that dynamic: a clean win for all parties.

It’s a great reminder that fewer bidders doesn’t mean failure - it often means focus.

👉 If you’d like to sharpen your auction strategy or help your sellers see the power of one-bid auctions, reach out to the Holmes & Co team — we’re here to help you turn any auction day into a win.