Welcome to the first episode of our brand-new FUNdamental Friday mini-series: The Hill I’ll Die On.

Each week, one member of the Property Couch crew steps up to share a bold money or property stance they’re willing to stand behind and unpack the behind-the-scenes truths most people think… but rarely say out loud.

First up: Ben Thompson.

As a QPIA and auctioneer with over 1,000 auctions under his belt, Ben makes a strong case that auctions are the most transparent way to buy property.

Are they intimidating? Yes.

Are they emotional? Absolutely.

But are they unfair? Ben doesn’t think so.

 

In this 10-minute episode, he breaks down:

✔️ Why transparency matters more than comfort

✔️ The psychology of bidding

✔️ The tactics buyers use to influence the room

✔️  And why you should attend at least six auctions before bidding at one

 

New episode every Friday.

Got a hill you want one of our Couch Crew to defend? We’d love to hear it! Send it through our website here >

 

Timestamps

  • 0:33 – Meet Ben Thompson: QPIA & 1,000+ Auctions Later
  • 2:07 – The Hill: Why Auctions Win on Transparency
  • 4:20 – “Auctions Are Scary” (Or Are They?)
  • 6:30 – Buyer Tactics: Doubt, Disruption & Confidence Plays
  • 8:40 – Auctioneer vs Bidder: Who’s Really in Control?
  • 11:00 – The Golden Rule: Attend At Least 6 Auctions

 

Transcript

Ben K: G’day folks, welcome back to The Property Couch. Yes, it’s Chapter 2 and you might be wondering… wait a minute, when did a Friday episode drop? We don’t usually do Friday episodes. But this is the new chapter. We’re trying new things. And this is one of them. I’ve got the privilege of introducing one of our Couch Crew, Ben Thompson. Welcome to the couch, mate.

Ben T: Thanks, Ben. Good to be here. Good to be a part of it.

Ben K: People will be wondering who you are, where you come from, and how you fit into property. What do you spend your time doing?

Ben T: Very privileged is what I’d say in terms of what I get to do. During the week, I help people achieve their next property goal. That’s a big part of my job. On the weekends, I go out and do it another way. I run auctions.

Ben K: He’s being humble. Ben Thompson is a QPIA, a Qualified Property Investment Advisor, and he’s helped hundreds of clients build property plans. On weekends, he puts the cape on. He’s a real estate agent and auctioneer. How many auctions have you run?

Ben T: Probably just over 1,000. About seven years in. Averaging maybe 150 to 200 a year.

Ben K: So here’s the concept of this series, The Hill I’ll Die On. We’re going to explore bold money opinions. Today, we’re double clicking on property. Here’s the scenario. How do you like buying property and why?

Ben T: I’m going to be biased. Auction. Clearly the most transparent way to buy.

Ben K: Explain that.

Ben T: You can see who you’re competing against. You can see the final price. You’re not dealing one on one with an agent saying, “There’s another offer…” and wondering if it’s real. At auction, it’s visible. You can read body language. You can see bidding behaviour. You know exactly where you stand.

Ben K: But auctions feel scary to people. Public. Emotional. Big financial decisions in the open.

Ben T: That’s fair. But if you understand the process and human behaviour, they’re actually simple. The agent and auctioneer aren’t who you’re competing against. They’re facilitating the process. You’re competing against other buyers. If you walk in with a plan, a strategy, and you understand how you’re going to approach it, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.

Ben K: You’ve bought privately and at auction. What’s the difference in how it feels?

Ben T: Every time I’ve bought at auction, I’ve walked away thinking that was the number. No hidden jump. No wondering if someone overpaid by 30,000 or 40,000 dollars because it was behind closed doors. With private sales or expressions of interest, you don’t see the full picture. With auctions, you do.

Ben K: Let’s flip this. I’m an experienced bidder. One of my tactics? Pointing out a crack in the wall. “Is that structural?” Trying to rattle the room.

Ben T: There’s always one. But here’s the funny thing. The person asking those questions is usually the one who starts bidding. So as an auctioneer, you flip it. “Ladies and gentlemen, how good is this? The person doing the most due diligence is bidding.” It builds confidence in the room.

Ben K: Another one. Asbestos questions. Creating doubt.

Ben T : Again, that’s about influence. As a buyer, your job is to project confidence. You’re trying to control the room. As the auctioneer, my job is to manage the room. Slow it down, speed it up, reassure people, trial close, resell the property. It’s experience. It’s reading the moment.

Ben K: So who’s really in control?

Ben T: When I’m bidding, I’m trying to control the process. When I’m auctioneering, I’m facilitating it and giving everyone the best chance to buy the property they want. That’s the balance.

Ben K: Final takeaway. What’s the rule?

Ben T: Attend at least six auctions before bidding at one. Minimum. Treat it like sport. Observe. Learn. Understand the rhythm. Don’t die on this hill unless you understand the process.

Ben K: Love it. That’s a wrap for our first episode of The Hill I’ll Die On. If you’ve got a hill you want one of our Couch Crew to defend, send it through via SpeakPipe on The Property Couch website. And remember, knowledge is empowering, but only if you act on it. Bye for now.