Estate agents are increasingly using auction as a primary route to market as stronger results and faster timescales reshape perceptions of the sector.
New data from First for Auctions shows a wide range of property types and values achieving significant uplifts over guide prices, alongside quicker exchanges.
The shift reflects growing frustration with delays in the traditional private treaty market, where transactions can take several months to complete and fall-through rates remain elevated.
Auction is being repositioned as a mainstream option, offering fixed timescales, competitive bidding and greater certainty of sale, particularly in cases where vendors require a guaranteed outcome.
MAJOR MARKET
Recent sales highlight the breadth of the market, from a three-bedroom home in Tidworth selling 83% above guide, to a seven-bedroom property in Wimbledon Village achieving over £1m above its starting price.
Strong buyer demand is also driving results, with some listings attracting more than 200 bids, underlining the level of competition being generated through auction platforms.
The model is gaining traction among independent agents, particularly for probate cases, executor sales and situations where speed and certainty are prioritised over open-ended marketing periods.
Partner agents including Curchods Estate Agents, Tim Russ & Co, Brockenhurst Estate Agents and Staples & King are increasingly incorporating auction into their service offering.
GUARANTEED EXCHANGE
Daniel Gale (main picture, inset), Head of Auctions at First for Auctions, says: “Auction is no longer the preserve of properties that need work or sellers who have run out of options.
“What we are seeing across our partner network is agents and vendors choosing auction because of what it delivers: a defined timeframe, maximum competitive exposure, and a guaranteed exchange.”
He added that the model allows agents to retain client relationships while outsourcing the operational and legal elements of the sale, creating a scalable route to faster completions.
The trend points to a broader shift in market behaviour, as agents look for more reliable ways to convert instructions into sales in a slower market.
