since time began...nothing has changed....you either list the...

since time began...nothing has changed....you either list the property for either private sale, or by auction....it is clear cut....you can change your mind later....

the agent will start marketing the property ...as either for auction or sale....and will take prospective buyers thru...
many properties are sold prior to the auction date....and they are then correctly reported as sold before auction...
its not new, or a twist or a conspiracy...
with auctions, the date is specific....it must be reported as either sold, or not sold....or removed from auction...
no ifs or buts....
when a property is on the market as simply for private sale...it has no specific date, for which a report must be made...
I note there were almost as many private sales that weekend as auctions.....
those private sales were actually sold....the may have been on the market for a day, a month or 3 months...

if one is so interested in property, why not really do some serious research into the subject....?