Yeah, it's quite common and with the market like it is the auction increases prices and minimises time on market. The latter supports the former. I don't know the exact figures but it's something like 25% of residential sales on average around that country are auction sales. The one in this post for instance...16 registers bidders after a three week marketing/inspection campaign. Bidding opened by the auctioneer at $650,000 and inside of 12 minutes it was knocked down (sold) at $813,000. Unconditionally sold, no finance clause, no building/pest inspection...sold and deposit payable.