A Coastal Masterpiece Finds Its New Custodians
Why the Auction Process Works, Regardless of Delivery Method
Nestled in the serene landscapes of Ballina, the impressive 24.69 hectare (approx. 61 acre) beachfront estate offers around 380 metres of pristine South Ballina Beach frontage, an idyllic seaside retreat and a blue-chip landholding. It’s the perfect blank canvas: cleared, level, with a small cottage and irresistible potential for personal or commercial vision. Cleverly marketed by Karin Heller of Kim Jones & Co, this property certainly took centre stage on the World Wide Web using the Realtair online auction platform.
On 19 August 2025, this rare trophy property sold for an impressive $3,290,000 via an online auction at 4 pm, showcasing how digital formats now bring buyers - no matter where they are - into real-time bidding wars.
Why the Auction Process Drives Results—Every Time
1. Competitive Bidding Secures Premium Price
At its core, an auction pits qualified buyers directly against each other, igniting emotional engagement and a drive to win. This competition is especially potent online, where momentum builds quickly as bids roll in. As David Holmes explains, “auctions pin buyers against each other ... drive the price upwards as interested parties battle against each other … until the moment the hammer drops.”
2. Online Auctions Widen the Playing Field
By partnering with platforms like Realtair, holmes&co enables global buyers to participate live - from anywhere - via easy, trusted tech. This dramatically expands the buyer pool and sustains engagement even for remote occasions.
3. Fast, Transparent, Unconditional Sales
Auctions run on fixed timelines - usually 3 – 4 weeks - so sellers know when the outcome will land. Transactions are unconditional once the hammer falls, meaning no finance clauses or cooling-off delays - just a straightforward transition to settlement. The process also ensures transparency and market clarity, with immediate feedback and visible bidding revealing true demand.
4. Safety via Reserve Price
Using a reserve price allows sellers to guard against the unwanted scenario of underselling. If the bids don’t reach the reserve, the property won't sell - protecting the vendor even amidst bidding activity.
5. Skilled Auctioneers Drive Home the Value
David’s reputation - noted as REIQ Auctioneer of the Year in 2021 and 2023 - comes from his calm, conversational style and deep experience calling thousands of successful auctions. On the ground, auction agents play a crucial role too: they prime buyers with pre-auction talks, ensure a strong opening bid, and help shape and guide expectations throughout the campaign.
6. Versatility Across Formats
Online, on-site, in-room - auctions adapt well to any format. Whether buyers gather physically or log in virtually from around the world, the competitive dynamic remains intact. Holmes’s firm has seamlessly operated across residential, commercial, urban, and rural markets via all these formats.
Why This Matters for our Ballina Auction
Maximised exposure: globally accessible to motivated buyers through online bidding.
Emotion meets strategy: a stunning coastal canvas inspired demand; the auction structure converted that into action.
Efficiency and certainty: the seller achieved a clean, unconditional result by auction day - with no drawn-out negotiations.
Expertly steered: David Holmes and his team brought authority, charisma, and results-driven finesse throughout.
Final Thoughts
In today’s market, auctioning - especially online - has become a potent blend of openness, speed, and competition. It harnesses buyer emotion, ensures clarity, and sets a firm path toward a strong outcome. The sale of this remarkable Keith Hall beachfront estate is a textbook example of how that process, expertly executed, can turn romance of the land into real-world results.
📞 Contact us today to learn more or book your next auction with Holmes & Co.