Dan Sowden has called more than 5000 auctions but still gets a genuine thrill when he’s wielding the gavel.
The 41-year-old was last month recognised as one of the state’s top auctioneers, winning Ray White’s annual auction state championships.
The principal of Ray White Maroochydore showcased his skills to finish ahead of several experienced callers, who were challenged by a team of mock buyers.
The Bokarina resident has been conducting auctions, mostly on Saturday mornings, for the past 18 years but still gets a kick out of them.
“There’s a real sense of anticipation, nervousness and emotion at auctions,” he said.
“I can help a seller transact their property and can help a buyer move into a property they could call home for 10 or 20 years. There is a lot of excitement around that.”
Mr Sowden strived to be informative and entertaining at auctions.
“If people are going to come to an auction and stand there and watch, I want them to be able to learn about the market and I want them to feel entertained for a little while,” he said.
“I want them to walk away feeling like it was a great event or auction call.
“Auctioneers should want to put themselves into the presentation of the auction, rather than just turn up and rattle off a few numbers and be rigid with the call.
“For me, it’s a creativity outlet, it’s a performance, it’s a chance to be entertaining and lively, and leave people with a positive reflection.”
He said he wanted to improve the standard within the industry and “allow people to walk away thinking Ray White is a good business”.
Mr Sowden grew up at Alexandra Headland and his grandfather owned one of the first houses on renowned Parkyn Parade at Mooloolaba.
He was involved with rugby and surf lifesaving clubs and was a sales and marketing consultant at Ray White Maroochydore in his early 20s, before moving on to become the director and auctioneer.
He started doing auctions almost by accident when a lifesaving club asked him to call a charity fundraising event.
“One of the organisers asked if I could do it with two weeks’ notice,” he said.
“I practised at home and then did it … I hate to think what I sounded like 18 years ago.”
It kickstarted a run of calling charity events.
“At that age, I didn’t have a lot of money to donate to good causes, but I could donate my time, which I had a lot of, so I felt like I could have an impact that way,” he said.
Mr Sowden estimated he called hundreds of charity auctions before making the progression to real estate events.
He’s since called more than 5000 property auctions.
“I love the auction moment; when the agent has done everything they can and the owner is there and putting their trust in you to get the best price for their property,” he said.
“And the buyers are there, trying to buy the property fairly and evenly.
“The auction environment provides that transparency.
“There’s a chance to be right at the forefront of the real estate transaction and that’s what I like about Saturdays.”
Mr Sowden said auctioneers “don’t want to be elitist”.
“It’s important, as an auctioneer, to get on well with the people that are there and to be likeable and at the same level,” he said.
He has experienced plenty of auction highlights.
“There’s a few that were incredible but one auction I will always remember was for a two-bedroom brick unit at Cotton Tree,” he said.
“The auction itself was uneventful, but the owners, who are in their 60s now, were battlers who had saved all their lives and were ready to move in to a riverside apartment.”
“We got a result that was $200,000 above their reserve.
“For them to see that type of money changed the rest of their lives.
“One of the owners keeps telling me, years after the auction, that he still can’t believe it.”
When he’s not busy at work, Mr Sowden relishes spending time with his young family and he may take a step back from weekend work in years to come.
“With kids who will start school soon and with (likely weekend) sport, I’ll have a decision to make at that juncture,” he said.
In the short term, Mr Sowden was excited by the beckoning Ray White Coastal Living Network Auction Event, to be held at Mercedes Benz Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, on September 24.
The annual event typically involves more than 60 properties, auctioned by more than 100 agents under one roof.
It involves agencies from offices at Maroochydore, Buderim, Mooloolaba, Kawana Waters and Nambour.
Auction results
84 Lakeview Lane, Mooloolah Valley
Passed in at $1,400,000
4 Bed, 2 Bath, 5 Car, Pool
Ray White, Judy Wild and Lew Pottinger
3 Como Court, Buderim
Passed in at $870,000
4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, Pool
Ray White, Kathryn Willshire
25 Vauxhall Street, Minyama
Sold under the hammer for $1,365,000
4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car
Ray White, Will Van Den Dungen
273 Pencil Creek Road, Obi Obi
Passed in at $925,000
3 Bed, 2 Bath, 7 Car
Ray White, Matt O’Grady and Alisha Galea
19 Orringa Street, Wurtulla
Passed in at $1,200,000
3 Bed, 2 Bath, 4 Car
Ray White, Ryan Cramer
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