A surge in residential property transactions ahead of the recent Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) changes has helped fuel a record-breaking quarter for iamproperty, the UK’s largest residential property auctioneer.
The company reported an 11% year-on-year rise in auction sales during the first quarter of 2025, as buyers and sellers rushed to complete deals before the tax adjustment came into effect. Partner agents saw corresponding gains, with total fees increasing by 13% to £10.7 million over the same period.
March proved to be a standout month for activity. A total of 1,182 auction sales were completed, marking iamproperty’s highest-ever monthly figure. On the final day before the SDLT change, the firm’s conveyancing teams recorded a sharp spike in completions, with daily volumes doubling.
The figures were released as part of iamproperty’s Q1 Online Auction Index and highlight both changing consumer behaviour and growing interest in alternative property sales routes.
GROWING AWARENESS
Awareness of the Modern Method of Auction (MMoA) has risen steadily, climbing to 41% in early 2025 from 37% the previous year. This coincides with growing dissatisfaction around lengthy private treaty sales, which in 2024 had an average completion time of 160 days.
By contrast, the auction route, which typically completes within 56 days, is proving more attractive to buyers and sellers seeking greater speed and certainty. Recent consumer data shows that over 85% of participants in the property market prioritise a fast, straightforward process, while 95% want assurance that both parties will remain committed to completing the sale.
The data suggest that auction methods, particularly online formats, are becoming more mainstream as home movers adapt to tighter timelines, economic pressures, and an evolving housing market landscape.
CONTINUED GROWTH
Jamie Cooke, Co-Founder at iamproperty, says: “The first quarter of the year has demonstrated continued growth in demand for Auction. While the SDLT deadline provided a clear incentive for faster completions, the level of activity we saw, including a record number of completions in March, reflected a trend towards alternative methods of sale.
“Our Partner Agents completed 2,878 sales in Q1, with a notable increase in both volume and fee income compared to the same period last year.
“Auction continues to be an effective alternative to Private Treaty, particularly in a market where speed, transparency and greater certainty are valued by both buyers and sellers. As other agents may have been grappling with Private Treaty completion timelines, we were able to support our Partner Agents to delight their clients, push sales through on time and save a significant amount of money by completing before the tax hike.
“As we move into the new financial year, we expect this momentum to continue, supported by growing consumer awareness and an increased focus on choice in the home moving process.”
