Question 1

How do I register to bid, and how long does approval take?

Accepted Answer

Create a free account at FarmlandAuctions.ca, complete our verification process and sign the bidder agreement electronically. Most approvals are completed within one business day. You'll receive a confirmation email once you're cleared to bid.

Question 2

How do deposits and refunds work?

Accepted Answer

Bidder deposits are held in trust through the REALTORS® brokerage and must be submitted within 48 hours of a successful bid. When you complete the purchase, the deposit is applied to the purchase price at closing.

Question 3

Are bids binding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When the reserve price is met and the auction closes, the high bid is a binding commitment to purchase. By signing the bidder agreement before participating, you confirm that you have the financial capacity to complete the transaction.

Question 4

When does the deal close?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, 30 to 45 days from completion of the auction. In specific cases where this is not the case, it will be detailed on MLS and on FarmlandAuctions.ca prior to the auction commencement.

Question 5

Is my identity visible to other bidders?

Accepted Answer

No. Every bidder participates under a masked bidder number. Other participants can see that a bid has been placed and at what amount — but never who placed it.

Question 6

What does it cost to bid?

Accepted Answer

Registering and browsing is completely free.

Question 7

What is anti-sniping?

Accepted Answer

Anti-sniping prevents last-second bids from artificially ending an auction. If a bid is placed in the final 2 minutes of an auction, the clock automatically extends, giving all qualified bidders a fair opportunity to respond. The auction only closes when bidding has genuinely stopped.

Question 8

What is a proxy bid, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

A proxy bid lets you set a private maximum amount you're willing to pay. The platform will automatically bid on your behalf in the minimum increment necessary to keep you in the lead — up to your maximum. Your ceiling is never revealed to other bidders.

Question 9

Can I bid on multiple auctions at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once approved, you can participate in any active auction on the platform.

Question 10

What happens after I win — what are my next steps?

Accepted Answer

Once the auction closes, our team will contact you within one business day with a Contract of Purchase and Sale for digital execution. Your deposit must be submitted within 48 hours. Closing proceeds through the REALTORS® brokerage trust account and lawyers of your choice.

Question 11

Can I view the property before bidding?

Accepted Answer

Property details, soil classifications, aerial photography, parcel maps, and lease information are published on every listing. Where an in-person viewing has been arranged by the seller, it will be noted on the listing page. We encourage all bidders to conduct their own due diligence before placing a bid.

Question 12

Are there restrictions on who can purchase Saskatchewan farmland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Saskatchewan's Farm Security Act restricts farmland ownership by non-residents and non-Canadian entities. It is your responsibility to confirm your eligibility before bidding. We recommend consulting a Saskatchewan lawyer if you have any questions about your eligibility.

Question 13

What financing do I need in place before bidding?

Accepted Answer

Bids are binding, so you should have financing confirmed before you participate. We do not offer financing through the platform. If your bid is successful and you cannot complete the purchase, you may forfeit your deposit and be held liable for additional costs and damages.

Question 14

Can a corporation or trust place bids?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided the entity meets Saskatchewan farmland ownership requirements. During registration, you will be asked to identify the legal entity placing bids and may be required to provide supporting documentation. Contact us at info@farmlandauctions.ca if you have questions about registering a corporate or trust account.

Question 15

How do I submit my property for auction?

Accepted Answer

Start by creating an account and selecting "Sell Your Land." You'll be asked to provide the legal land description, titled acres, soil classification, lease status, and any supporting documents. The submission takes about 20 minutes. A licensed REALTOR® from our team will follow up to review your property and discuss next steps. If you don't have all the information, that is okay! Just skip that step and provide all the information that you do have. Our team will be able to fill the gaps and assist you with everything that is needed.

Question 16

How is the reserve price set?

Accepted Answer

The reserve price is agreed upon between you and our licensed REALTOR® before your listing goes live. We draw on comparable sales, current market conditions, and your property's specific attributes: soil class, location, lease income, and title status, to help you set a realistic and defensible floor.

Question 17

What information and documents do I need to provide to list?

Accepted Answer

You'll need the legal land description, ISC title confirmation, SAMA soil classification data, current lease agreements if applicable, and any environmental or survey documents you have on hand. Our team will guide you through the full checklist after your initial submission.

Question 18

How long does a typical auction run?

Accepted Answer

Most auctions are marketed for 30 to 45 days giving buyers adequate time to review the listing, complete due diligence, and get qualified. Auctions will be live, receiving bids, for 72 hours.

Question 19

What commission or fees do sellers pay?

Accepted Answer

Sellers pay commission on the final sale price, consistent with Saskatchewan real estate brokerage fees. There are no upfront listing fees. Full fee details are outlined in your brokerage agreement.

Question 20

Can I set a minimum opening bid?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The opening bid amount is set in consultation with our team during the listing review. It is typically set at a level that reflects genuine market interest without discouraging early participation.

Question 21

What happens if the auction closes with no bids?

Accepted Answer

If no bids are placed, no sale occurs and no commission is owed. Our team will continue to market the property on MLS to achieve a successful sale through the term of the agreement.

Question 22

What happens if the reserve is not met?

Accepted Answer

If bidding does not reach your reserve price, the auction closes without a completed sale. The property is not sold, no deposit changes hands, and you are under no obligation to accept any bid below reserve. Our team will continue to market the property on MLS to achieve your goals of selling the property.

Question 23

Can I auction a property that's currently tenant-farmed or under lease?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Leased properties are common on the platform and are fully disclosed to bidders, including lease terms, expiry dates, and current rent. An existing lease typically does not prevent a sale, it transfers with the land to the new owner.

Question 24

Can I sell multiple parcels or quarter sections in one auction?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Multiple parcels can be listed together or as separate lots within a single auction event. We'll work with you during the listing review to determine the structure that is most likely to maximize your result.

Question 25

Is FarmlandAuctions.ca a licensed brokerage?

Accepted Answer

No. FarmlandAuctions.ca is owned by Cameron Wyatt, a Saskatchewan-licensed REALTOR® operating under REMAX Crown Real Estate. Every auction, agreement, and transaction runs through a regulated brokerage — not an anonymous online platform.

Question 26

How is this different from listing with a traditional REALTOR®?

Accepted Answer

A traditional listing negotiates privately between one buyer and one seller. Our open auction process puts your property in front of every qualified buyer at once, with all bids visible in real time. Competitive bidding consistently drives results above what private negotiation achieves and every result is published so you can see exactly what the market paid.

Question 27

How is this different from a tender or private treaty sale?

Accepted Answer

In a tender, bids are submitted privately and sellers choose which offer to accept with no visibility into what others bid. Our auctions are fully open: every bid is visible as it happens, and the highest bid above reserve wins, no negotiation required. Transparency is built into the process by design.

Question 28

Are auction results made public?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every completed auction result — including the final sale price, property details, and sale date — is published to our public results archive. We believe published results benefit the entire Saskatchewan farmland market.

Question 29

Which provinces do you currently serve?

Accepted Answer

We are currently focused on Saskatchewan farmland. If you have land in another prairie province and are interested in listing, contact us at info@farmlandauctions.ca to access our network of partner REALTORS® to list on FarmlandAuctions.ca.

Question 30

How is closing handled after a successful auction?

Accepted Answer

Closing is managed by our licensed REALTOR® team, in coordination with lawyers of your choice. We handle the Contract of Purchase and Sale, deposit management, and lawyers manage the title transfer process — the same process as any licensed real estate transaction in Saskatchewan.

Question 31

Who holds the deposit funds?

Accepted Answer

All deposits are held in trust by your REALTOR® brokerage trust account, in accordance with Saskatchewan real estate regulations. Funds are never held by FarmlandAuctions.ca directly.

Question 32

Do I need to be online during the live auction?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. You can set a proxy bid before the auction and let the platform bid on your behalf up to your maximum. That said, being online during the final minutes gives you the option to respond if bidding exceeds your proxy limit.

Question 33

What happens if I lose internet connection during bidding?

Accepted Answer

Any proxy bid you have set will continue to work automatically. If you are bidding manually and lose your connection, your last submitted bid remains valid. We recommend setting a proxy bid as a backup before any live auction.

Question 34

Is there a mobile app, or does this work on my phone?

Accepted Answer

The platform is fully optimized for mobile browsers — no app download required. You can register, browse listings, and bid live from any smartphone or tablet.

Question 35

How do I contact someone if I have a problem during an auction?

Accepted Answer

Email us at info@farmlandauctions.ca or call 1-306-539-6324. During active auction periods, we monitor both channels closely to respond as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Buyers

For Sellers

About the Process

Practical & Technical

Frequently Asked Questions

All frequently asked questions

For Buyers

For Sellers

About the Process

Practical & Technical