Openn Negotiation entered the Australian market promising to transform property sales through transparent digital bidding. Several years on, the platform has matured, expanded, and refined its approach.

Here’s my assessment of where Openn stands in 2025.

How Openn Has Evolved

The platform’s core premise remains: create transparent, competitive bidding environments where all parties can see offers and engage in real-time negotiation.

Key evolutions include:

Expanded method options: Beyond the original Openn format, the platform now supports various sale methods including private treaty, traditional auction, and hybrid approaches.

Improved vendor tools: Better vendor reporting, clearer process communication, and enhanced control over reserve and acceptance decisions.

Agent dashboard refinement: Easier campaign management, better buyer communication tools, and improved integration with agency workflows.

Geographic expansion: Originally strong in Western Australia, Openn has expanded nationally with growing presence in eastern states.

Current Market Position

Openn has established itself as a legitimate alternative sale method, particularly in certain markets and property types.

Strengths:

• Strong WA market presence with proven track record
• Growing Melbourne adoption, particularly for certain property types
• Clear differentiation from traditional auction format
• Transparency appeal to both vendors and buyers
• Remote bidding capability serving interstate buyers

Challenges:

• Traditional auction culture resistance in some markets
• Agent comfort and training requirements
• Vendor education needs
• Competition from other digital auction platforms

When Openn Works Well

Based on observing campaigns across markets, Openn performs well in specific scenarios.

Properties with broad geographic appeal: The online format suits properties that attract interstate or international buyers.

Vendor preference for transparency: Some vendors strongly value the transparent bidding environment.

Markets with established Openn presence: Where buyers and agents are familiar with the format, campaigns flow more smoothly.

Properties where traditional auction dynamics are challenging: Some properties don’t suit the theatre of traditional auction but benefit from competitive tension.

When Traditional Methods May Be Better

Openn isn’t universally superior. Traditional methods suit:

Properties with primarily local appeal: When buyers are local and available, traditional auction theatre creates energy that digital platforms can’t replicate.

Markets without Openn familiarity: Where buyers and agents don’t know the platform, education requirements slow campaigns.

Vendor preference for traditional process: Some vendors want the traditional auction experience.

Properties where relationship-based selling excels: Some sales benefit from the nuanced relationship management that human-mediated negotiation enables.

Agent Considerations

For agents evaluating Openn adoption:

Training investment: Using the platform effectively requires proper training. Half-hearted adoption produces poor results.

Vendor education capability: Agents need to explain the process clearly and manage expectations effectively.

Market assessment: Evaluate whether your primary market and property types suit the Openn format.

Portfolio approach: Most successful agencies use Openn as one option alongside traditional methods, matching method to property and vendor.

Integration with Agency Operations

Openn’s integration with agency workflows has improved but still requires attention.

CRM integration: API connections exist but vary in quality depending on your CRM platform.

Marketing coordination: Campaigns need marketing that educates buyers about the process, not just the property.

Outcome tracking: Agencies should track Openn outcomes versus traditional methods to inform future recommendations.

My Assessment

Openn has proven itself as a legitimate sale method with genuine advantages in appropriate circumstances. It’s neither the revolution some predicted nor the gimmick sceptics dismissed.

Smart agencies understand Openn as one tool among several, deploying it where it suits rather than defaulting to it universally.

The platform continues evolving and improving. Agents who dismissed it years ago should reconsider; agents who adopted it early should evaluate whether their implementation is current with platform capabilities.

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Linda Powers evaluates PropTech platforms for practical agency utility, helping agents understand how different tools suit different market circumstances.