10 Reasons to Purchase Property at Auctions

Tips when buying at property auctions

I visited many property auctions going back around 15 years ago. There was a time that every month through the post I would regularly receive property auction catalogues and I was always excited to see the listings close to where I lived and be tempted in by the low guide prices! Most times the guide price, though a good % below the average price for the property, would sell for more.

Property auctions were really trending thanks to television shows such as Homes Under the Hammer, Grand Designs and Location, Location, Location. During the 2,000’s and on to 2010’s these shows pulled in millions of viewers and will have helped countless people purchase homes via auction. Many an afternoon, I’m sure many of our readers too, will have been spent with a cup of tea and biscuits whilst watching a couple on television purchase their dream home at auction and tackle the renovation – It was always all about how much they paid in full and what it was worth in the end, right!?

What type of property are sold at auctions?

It was very much regarded that property at auction were those to do up or those with problems, the stock that could not sell at the estate agency and instead needed motivated cash buyers / specialists. Also, those property which were repossession thus in control of banks looking to sell quickly to release capital would regularly be seen as lots in auction catalogues.

To be honest you can find any and all property at auctions. This means from homes that are ready to move in to, maybe the vendor wants a quick sale, through to land with planning permission.

Why purchase at a property auction?

  1. You are likely to make a purchase below market value.
  2. You can still carry out our own surveys / viewing / checks prior to bidding at auction.
  3. You can find all property types from renovations to new builds including building plots, agricultural land, commercial property and more.
  4. You will acquire ownership faster (usually within 30 to 60 days).
  5. You will find property that might not be listed with estate agencies / property portal websites.
  6. Legal paperwork is mostly done upfront for the potential buyer, prior to bidding, to view saving time.
  7. The price you get the property for is the price you will pay (commissions depending to auction agent). No chance to be gazumped.
  8. You don’t have to be a cash buyer only as lenders will also provide finance for auction purchases.
  9. Property auctions are frequent and over most parts of the UK and there are many property sold this way so you have plenty of choice.
  10. You can also make pre-auction offers and purchase prior to the auction running.

 

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Crowded beaches - Clacton-on-Sea in Essex
Breaking News

1 in 7 consider moving home to manage cooling costs in hotter weather

Two in five adults (40 per cent) say they would prefer to invest in home improvements to reduce overheating from the outset, rather than rely on cooling devices Three in 10 (30 per cent) are concerned about the impact of using electricity for cooling on their energy bills, while over four in 10 (44 per…
Read More
Breaking News

UK property fall-throughs cost estate agents estimated £2.8m every day

The latest research from GetAgent has found that property fall-throughs are costing UK estate agents an estimated £2.8m per day in delayed or lost commission income, highlighting the substantial financial impact that failed transactions continue to have across the industry. The research analysed residential property transactions that fell through during May 2026, alongside average regional…
Read More
Breaking News

Where are the UK’s most Instagrammable streets?

· New research from Lloyds reveals the most popular streets on Instagram and TikTok · Bath’s Royal Crescent tops the list, where average house prices are £590,786 · London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester all feature in the top 20 · From £1.66m in Notting Hill to £158,559 near Loch Lomond – picture-perfect streets feature…
Read More
to let sign 2025
Letting Agent Talk

Northern Ireland emerging as one of the UK’s most attractive long-term rental investments

Northern Ireland rents have increased by approximately 51% over the past five years Tenant enquiries have risen by approximately 33%, highlighting continued demand for quality rental accommodation. Four of the five fastest-growing housing markets in the UK are located in Northern Ireland 26% of landlords in England sold at least one rental property during 2024,…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Homebuyers demand same-day conveyancing updates

New research from Lyons Bowe solicitors reveals that Britain’s homebuyers have little tolerance for poor communication during the conveyancing process, with buyers increasingly expecting same-day updates, prompt responses, and swift notification of any issues that could impact their purchase. The survey of current and recent homebuyers who have purchased a property within the last two years,…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 25/6/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Detecting property moisture defects without invasive or damaging procedures BEST Training, a specialist CPD provider for the built environment, has now launched Module 2 of its advanced course series: Investigating Moisture in Traditional Buildings. The module offers an end-to-end diagnostic curriculum for professionals working…
Read More