Question 1

Who is the best real estate agent in South Auckland?

Accepted Answer

Pat Lapalapa is a Top 1% Ray White agent and South Auckland auction specialist who has personally sold 800+ homes ($750M+ settled). Named NZ #10 Top Sales Agent and NZ #3 for Auction Performance in 2025, he sells across Māngere, Papatoetoe, Ōtāhuhu, Manurewa and Flat Bush.

Question 2

How do I get a free appraisal?

Accepted Answer

Book online or call 021 022 63886. Pat or a senior agent visits within 24 to 48 hours, walks the home, and gives an honest market read backed by comparable sales evidence. No pressure to list.

Question 3

How long does it take to sell a house in Auckland?

Accepted Answer

Auctions typically run a 3-week marketing campaign, total 4 to 5 weeks from listing to settlement. Private treaty averages 6 to 10 weeks.

Question 4

What does it cost to sell?

Accepted Answer

Commission on completion under the Ray White structure, no upfront fee. Marketing campaign typically $4,000 to $8,000 for a standard suburban auction campaign, agreed in writing before listing.

Question 5

Do you sell outside Mangere, Manurewa, and Papatoetoe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pat Lapalapa Group sells Auckland-wide. The 9 featured suburbs are where our buyer database runs deepest.

Question 6

Can I cancel if I change my mind?

Accepted Answer

Yes, before signing the auction agreement. After signing, terms are governed by the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and the agency agreement, typically a 90-day exclusive.

Question 7

Who actually runs my campaign?

Accepted Answer

Great question and an important one to ask any agent before you list. Your campaign is led by Pat, with a specialist team supporting your property every day of the week. Pat personally handles the parts that move your price: pricing strategy and positioning, your weekly campaign update and recommendations, every offer and negotiation, the auction day itself, and all key decisions on your property. Your dedicated buyer agent runs the day-to-day buyer activity: open homes and private viewings, buyer follow-ups, qualification, feedback collection, and bringing through serious ready buyers. Why this matters: a solo agent has roughly 40 hours a week to give across every property they are selling. Our team collectively puts 200+ hours a week into buyer activity, which means more viewings, more buyer conversations, and more competition on your property. Competition is what drives price. You will get a structured update from Pat every Tuesday: buyer numbers, feedback themes, competitor activity in your area, and a clear recommendation on the next move. Anytime an offer comes in, or a decision needs making, you will be talking directly to Pat. Camille, our Operations Manager, handles all compliance and paperwork so neither you nor Pat lose time to admin. Most of our sellers tell us afterwards they got more attention, not less.

Question 8

Will Pat be at my open homes and private viewings?

Accepted Answer

Usually no, and here's the honest reasoning. Open homes and private viewings are where buyer relationships are built. That's a full-time job in itself, and it's what our buyer specialists do every day. They know the buyers in your area, they're trained to read the room, qualify properly, and collect feedback that shapes your campaign. Pat's time is concentrated where it makes you the most money: pricing strategy, negotiation, and offer conversion. That's where sale price is won or lost, not at the open home itself. If you'd prefer Pat to be at a specific viewing, for example a serious buyer wanting a second look or auction day, just ask. He's always available for the moments that matter to you. The result we're aiming for is the highest possible sale price for your home. The team structure exists to deliver that, not to keep Pat away from your property.

Question 9

How do I stay updated during my campaign?

Accepted Answer

You'll never be left guessing. Every Tuesday, Pat sends you a structured update covering how many buyers came through (open homes and private viewings), what feedback they gave on price, presentation, and competition, what's happening in your local market that week, and his clear recommendation on the next move. On top of that, Pat is across every offer the moment it lands, and you'll hear from him directly when there's a decision to make. No filtered messages, no waiting days for a callback. If you want more frequent updates, just say. We adjust to how you like to communicate.

Question 10

Why auction?

Accepted Answer

Auctions concentrate competition into one day, surface the true market price, and deliver a transparent unconditional outcome more than 80% of the time.

Question 11

What if my house doesn't sell on auction day?

Accepted Answer

Passed-in properties enter immediate negotiation with the highest bidder. Around 30% of our auctions sell on or within 7 days of auction day, even when not sold under the hammer.

Question 12

Do I have to set a reserve?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The reserve is set with the vendor the morning of auction based on enquiry, opens, and registered bidders.

Question 13

How do buyers register to bid?

Accepted Answer

Bidder registration is free, requires ID, and happens on auction day or before. Conditional buyers cannot bid. They negotiate post-auction if the property passes in.

Question 14

What's the auction calendar?

Accepted Answer

PLG auctions run on Tuesdays at the Ray White Manukau auction room. Around 36 auction dates per year.

Question 15

How do you decide what my house is worth?

Accepted Answer

Comparable recent sales over the last 90 days in the same suburb with similar specs, current active listings, time-on-market trends, and on-the-ground buyer demand.

Question 16

What does the marketing package include?

Accepted Answer

Professional photos, drone where relevant, floor plan, copy, premium portal placement on Trade Me and realestate.co.nz, social campaign on Meta, signboard and flyers, and two open homes per week.

Question 17

Will my home be on the Ray White website too?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every PLG listing also publishes to raywhite.co.nz globally.

Question 18

Do you sell premium / lifestyle properties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Premium listings get a separate campaign: extended photo shoot, premium portal placements, and a targeted email to our buyer database.

Question 19

Who is Pat?

Accepted Answer

Pat has 12 years in real estate, is a multi-time Ray White #1 award holder, and focuses on auctions and Auckland-wide vendor outcomes.

Question 20

Are you Ray White?

Accepted Answer

Pat Lapalapa Group is licensed under the Ray White Residential brand under REAA 2008. Each Ray White office is independently owned and operated.

Question 21

Where are your offices?

Accepted Answer

Six locations: Manukau, Manurewa, Auckland Central, Mangere, Mangere Bridge, and Wynyard.

Question 22

How do I contact you?

Accepted Answer

Direct mobile 021 022 63886 or email pat.lapalapa@raywhite.com. Every enquiry routes to Pat first.

Questions,
answered.

Selling with Pat Lapalapa Group

How our team works for you

Auction process

Marketing and price

About Pat Lapalapa Group

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Questions,answered.