Our April auction delivered another strong set of results, reinforcing the growing appeal of auction for buyers seeking opportunity, speed, and transparency.
With a diverse range of properties available – from move-in ready homes to renovation projects – buyers were able to access opportunities not always found on the open market. Strong competition from both owner-occupiers and investors created a dynamic bidding environment, with everyone operating on a level playing field.
What sets auction apart is the certainty it provides buyers. Once the hammer falls, the deal is agreed, removing the risk of fall-throughs and offering a clear path to completion within a fixed timeframe.
Supported by our experienced team throughout, buyers were able to act with confidence at every stage of the process.
Our next auction will take place on 13th–14th May.
If you’re looking to secure your next property in 2026, get in touch – we’d be delighted to help.
Our April online property auction proved another success, attracting strong buyer interest and competitive bidding across a wide range of residential, commercial, and development opportunities.
Demand remained high from both homebuyers and investors, all looking to secure well-priced properties in a transparent and fast-paced environment. In total, 39 lots sold, achieving a 46% conversion rate and generating over £5.5m in sales.
For buyers, auction continues to offer a clear advantage – with upfront information, fixed timescales, and the certainty of exchange when the hammer falls.
The results highlight why more buyers are turning to auction as a confident and efficient way to secure property.
The vendors of Hart Avenue had previously listed their property with a well-known online estate agent, where they experienced two failed sales. The second buyer had assured them they were purchasing with cash, giving the vendors enough confidence to relocate to Ireland and ship their belongings overseas. Unfortunately, when that sale collapsed, they were left needing a more secure and reliable route to sell.
After speaking with our local branch, auction was identified as the most suitable solution – offering both the speed and certainty they had been missing through traditional methods.
The property was initially brought to market with a starting bid of £175,000, which was strategically adjusted to £165,000 to generate greater interest and encourage buyer engagement. This approach proved highly effective, attracting multiple viewings and early offers ahead of the auction.
With strong pre-auction activity, the property was entered into the auction, where competitive bidding ultimately drove the final sale price to £175,000.
Interestingly, while three buyers submitted offers prior to the auction, only one went on to participate during the live bidding – successfully securing the property. This highlights the advantage auction provides to committed buyers, giving them a clear and decisive opportunity to purchase in a transparent and competitive environment.
Contracts were exchanged immediately on the fall of the hammer, providing both buyer and seller with certainty, with completion set within a fixed timeframe.
The vendors were delighted to finally achieve a secure sale after previous setbacks, while the successful buyer was able to confidently secure the property through a straightforward and structured process – demonstrating the strength of auction for both parties.
The vendor of Apartment 28, Freshfields had grown increasingly frustrated after struggling to sell her flat on the open market. Having already found her next home and had an offer accepted, progress was delayed due to ongoing concerns around cladding within the building – a factor that can often deter traditional buyers.
Having successfully sold multiple apartments within the block previously, we recognised that auction would provide access to a more informed and motivated pool of buyers, particularly those comfortable with properties requiring additional consideration.
The property was brought to market with a starting bid of £52,000 and a reserve price of £60,000, positioned to attract strong interest from buyers seeking value and opportunity.
By the close of the auction, a buyer – who had not engaged prior to the auction going live – was able to secure the property quickly and confidently, completing the purchase online for £60,000 within just a few clicks. This highlights one of the key advantages of auction for buyers: the ability to act decisively in a clear, transparent environment with all information available upfront.
Contracts were exchanged immediately, with a 10% deposit secured and completion set within a fixed 28-day timeframe, giving both parties certainty.
The vendor was relieved to achieve a secure sale and move forward with her onward purchase, while the buyer successfully acquired a property that may have been difficult to secure through traditional methods – demonstrating how auction can unlock opportunities for proactive and well-prepared purchasers.
The vendor of Middle Hillgate, a commercial property in Stockport, was facing ongoing challenges with a vacant unit that was costing them money to hold. With no electricity supply and the property requiring attention, it was clear that a sale on the open market would likely prove difficult and could take a considerable amount of time to achieve.
Having discussed their expectations, the vendor shared a target figure they were hoping to achieve. We advised that this could be possible through auction, provided the property was positioned correctly and they were willing to trust the process to generate competitive bidding.
The property was brought to auction with a reserve price of £95,000, attracting interest from buyers seeking commercial opportunities with potential for improvement or redevelopment.
On the day of the auction, strong competition drove bidding well beyond expectations, with the property ultimately selling for £112,000. This result highlights the advantage auction offers buyers looking for value-add opportunities, allowing them to compete openly and secure assets that may not be readily available through traditional routes.
Contracts were exchanged immediately on the fall of the hammer, with a 10% deposit secured and completion set within a fixed timeframe, providing certainty for both parties.
The vendor was delighted with the outcome, not only achieving a higher price than anticipated but also benefiting from a swift and secure sale. They were so pleased with the process that they expressed interest in working with us again in the future – a strong reflection of the effectiveness of auction in unlocking value for more complex commercial properties.
The vendor of Station Road initially explored a private sale and was close to proceeding with an offer. However, before committing, they approached us for guidance on pricing and strategy.
In discussing their options, we highlighted the limitations buyers can face in private treaty sales, where agreed prices don’t always reflect full market demand and transactions can be subject to delays or fall-throughs. Auction, by contrast, creates an open and competitive environment where buyers can engage transparently and act decisively.
The decision was made to move forward with auction, adopting a pricing strategy designed to attract a wider pool of motivated buyers. While the guide price was set below the level of the initial private offer, this approach was intended to encourage competition and maximise engagement.
This strategy proved highly effective. On the day of the auction, strong bidding activity drove the final sale price to 112% above the guide price – ultimately exceeding the original private offer.
For the successful buyer, auction provided a clear and structured route to secure the property, with full transparency throughout the process. Contracts were exchanged immediately on the fall of the hammer, with a 10% deposit secured and completion set within a fixed 28-day timeframe.
The vendor was extremely pleased with the outcome, having not only achieved a higher price but also benefited from the certainty and efficiency of the auction process. This result demonstrates how auction can unlock true market value, while giving committed buyers the confidence to act.
The vendor of Hemingway, Blackpool had recently acquired the property with the intention of trading it on, seeking a straightforward and efficient resale process.
Recognising that auction would provide access to a wide pool of motivated buyers, the property was positioned to generate strong interest from those looking for investment opportunities with clear potential.
By creating a competitive and transparent bidding environment, buyers were able to engage confidently, with full visibility of the process and a fixed timeframe for exchange.
This approach delivered an excellent result, with competitive bidding driving the final sale price to £24,000 above the reserve.
Contracts were exchanged immediately on the fall of the hammer, with a 10% deposit secured and completion set within a 28-day timeframe, providing certainty for both buyer and seller.
The vendor was extremely pleased with the outcome, having exceeded expectations, while the successful buyer was able to secure a property with clear potential through a fast and decisive purchasing process – demonstrating once again how auction can deliver strong results for both parties.
If you’re considering buying or selling at auction — or simply want to understand how the process works — our experienced auction team is here to help.
Edward Mellor is a leading national property auction house and the only local organisation to specialise in auction, estate agency, and financial services under one roof.
Our next online property auction will take place on 13th-14th May, and registration to bid is now open.
If you’re thinking of selling, why not arrange a free, no-obligation property appraisal with one of our specialists?
Whatever the property type, our expertise in auction sales means we can help you achieve a competitive price within a fixed 28-day completion timescale. Get in touch today to find out how we can help.
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