The growing appeal of online property auctions is bucking wider market trends, with the latest figures from iamproperty showing an 11% year-on-year rise in sales during the third quarter of 2025.
Between July and September, properties sold through the company’s Modern Method of Auction reached £555 million in value, with 56,459 lots viewed – up 6% compared with the same period last year. The number of completed sales also rose 11% year-on-year.
The figures come amid subdued conditions in the traditional housing market, as speculation surrounding the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget fuels uncertainty among buyers and sellers.
Landmark Information Group’s Property Trends Report shows that new listings fell 1% over the same period, while conventional sales marked as “sold subject to contract” dropped 6%.
REDUCING PRICES
With many homeowners reducing prices and one in four traditional transactions falling through – costing buyers and sellers an estimated £400 million annually – more are turning to auction for speed and certainty. In the third quarter alone, iamproperty’s auction transactions generated £12 million in partner-agent fees, up 12% on the year.
Kirsty Smith, Branch Manager at Stephenson Browne, one of iamproperty’s partner agencies, says: “Auction has been a powerful string in our bow, giving vendors more options and helping us secure strong outcomes, even in a quieter market.
“With decision-making being cost-driven for vendors right now, auction has been a great alternative – less expensive than private treaty and offering a secure method of sale which gives vendors confidence in their transaction.”
HOLDING FIRM
Jamie Cooke (main picture), Co-founder of iamproperty, says auction activity typically holds firm during periods of economic uncertainty.
He adds: “The Q3 data is compelling against the latest wave of market disruption. Despite reports of an autumn slump, early signs in Q4 show more vendors turning to auction to meet rising demand. Some are also seeking to complete ahead of the Autumn Budget, and if some of the rumoured changes materialise, they could further stimulate the auction market.”
