What type of auction guarantees that the property will be sold to the highest bidder?

An absolute auction is designed to ensure that the property will be sold to the highest bidder, regardless of the price. This type of auction does not have a minimum opening bid or reserve price, meaning that the seller is committed to selling the item to the highest bidder on the auction day. This creates a sense of urgency and excitement among bidders, as they know that the opportunity to buy the property will not be lost if they meet or exceed the highest bid.

In contrast, a reserve auction allows the seller to set a minimum price that must be met for the property to be sold. If bidding does not reach this price, the seller has the option to withdraw the property from the auction.

Secret auctions and private auctions do not follow the same public and competitive bidding process typical of absolute auctions and thus do not guarantee the sale to the highest bidder in the same transparent manner. Overall, the absolute auction is specifically characterized by its guarantee that the highest bid will result in a sale, making it distinct among auction types.