The idea of on demand and instant service is one that has transformed nearly every aspect of modern culture. We expect that the things we want will be available when we want them, often with little warning. We balk at the idea of having to wait for things like a reservation for a top restaurant or hotel. Startups like Hotel Tonight, Resy, and Table8 feed this desire for a shorter gap between what we want and when we want it. Not waiting can be a display of status. Priority check-ins on airlines that allow people to breeze in ahead of a long line has an undeniable allure. Landing hard-to-get tickets to concerts and events on a moment’s notice is also a luxury and one that can deliver major bragging rights. It’s not just enough to get tickets to “Hamilton.” Being able to get them without planning months in advance is a sign that you are a VIP. As Concierge Auctions President Laura Brady recently noted when she was named one of Luxury Daily’s Women to Watch for 2018: "The Uberification of society has led everyone to expect instant gratification." Once we as a culture started to adopt things like Netflix streaming and Uber, people began to expect things instantly. Amazon saw this early on and now Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Now are a major part of many people’s lives. This will only continue to increase and spread across all verticals.When it comes to real estate, delayed gratification has always been part of the process. Numbers from the National Association of Realtors® show that buyers spend an average of 10 weeks searching for a home. Because purchasing real estate is such a substantial decision, it’s expected that it will take a long time. What we’ve seen with our auctions is that people want that time to be shorter and that they want less uncertainty. Luxury consumers feel the pressures of time and expect accommodation to their schedules. Part of the appeal of an auction is that you don’t have to wait to know if you have won; you are bidding in real-time, in an open forum, and all parties are presenting their offers at the same time.Similarly, when it comes to selling, people don’t always have the time or desire to wait for a luxury property to sell on the open market. Our research into Days On Market has shown that a long sale period can contribute to a reduction in realized gain. We’ve seen this desire for a fast result trickle down into the overall market in the last year. The rise of Open Door, Zillow Instant Offers, and Redfin Now show that the need for a fast and efficient transactions is more and more important to sellers. Once they’ve made the decision to sell, they want certainty and a reliable timeframe. When it feels good to waitInstant gratification isn’t always the only goal. As Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing has pointed out, the moments of anticipation before an acquisition are also very important. Studies show that people are often happiest before a vacation as they begin to dream of how much fun they will have. The same can be true with some luxury purchases, although a luxury property, especially a second home, is a renewable source of excitement because the purchaser can look forward to future visits. Framing a purchase in terms of the anticipation of the experience is an important component of modern marketing. An excellent example of this is the wait for Tesla cars; consumers who have signed up for the cars have often had to wait a significant amount of time. The moment of arrival becomes a moment of celebration.A similar dynamic is in play with owners who buy a property in a development that is not built yet. The important factor in these cases is that the developer continues to build and maintain the excitement through videos, status updates, and anticipation moments such as being able to select finishes and interior design. Virtual and augmented reality can also help by providing an experience that foreshadows the new home. The dynamic of instant gratification isn’t a trend; it’s a true shift in how people view the world. Part of understanding this and working with clients today is managing expectations in terms of what they can expect and what the timeline is. The more transparency and control you can provide to empower your clients, the more they will be able to make decisions that align with their wants and needs. In order to serve this ongoing need, I’m excited to announce that Concierge Auctions has launched a new online bidding platform available on our website. Spun off of the success of our mobile bidding app, this development makes it possible for potential buyers to research the details of a property, view visuals like property images and films — and, watch and bid from wherever they are in the world at the tap of a finger, all in one convenient location. To participate, simply visit ConciergeAuctions.com and log in as a registered customer. You may also view all of our available opportunities at conciergeauctions.com/upcoming-auctions.