Whether you are a first-time landlord or a seasoned property investor, the current property market is one of both strong opportunity and fresh challenges.
The good news is that, despite a shifting rental landscape, demand for property remains strong among both residential and commercial buyers.
There’s no doubt that landlords are continuing to reassess their investment strategies, but data suggests that property owners are adjusting to new market conditions and that property auctions remain at the heart of an evolving industry.
The property auction market continues to be a popular route for investors looking for speed, transparency and opportunity.
Despite changing buy-to-let regulations, higher borrowing costs and wider economic uncertainty, auction activity remains resilient, with buyers continuing to compete for the right properties when they see genuine value.
The latest Essential Information Group data shows that national auction activity remained solid in April 2026, with 3,433 lots offered across the UK, up 9.5% year-on-year.
Lots sold also increased to 2,222, while total realised value reached £382.2 million. Residential auctions were a particular source of strength, with residential lots sold up 8.1% and total residential funds raised rising to £333.8 million.
This is an important message for both buyers and sellers. Investors are still active, but they are also becoming more selective. For sellers, auction continues to provide a fast, efficient and reliable method of sale, particularly when a property is priced sensibly and marketed with clear information.
For buyers, it remains one of the clearest ways to assess true market demand, with competitive bidding and fixed timescales helping to create confidence on both sides of the transaction.
For landlords and property investors, location remains one of the biggest factors in determining potential returns. However, auction data shows that the highest-yielding opportunities are not always found in the most familiar or traditionally popular areas.
EIG’s June 2026 Property Auction Insights report highlights clear regional variations in average auction yields.
In 2025–26, Scotland recorded the highest average yield at 14.4%, followed by Northern Ireland at 13.0% and Wales at 12.1%. The North West also performed strongly, producing an average yield of 10.8%, compared with London at 7.1%.
This raises an interesting question for investors: how far are you prepared to go for the right opportunity? Online auctions have made it far easier for buyers to consider property outside their immediate area, allowing investors to research, view and bid on properties without being limited by geography.
That said, a higher headline yield should never be viewed in isolation. Buying further afield can bring additional management costs, maintenance considerations and a need for stronger local knowledge.
Investors should look at tenant demand, employment trends, regeneration, likely void periods and exit strategy before committing to any purchase.
The North West continues to stand out as one of the UK’s most attractive regions for property investors. It combines relatively accessible entry prices with strong rental demand, active buyer interest and competitive yields.
Between February and April 2026, 1,767 lots were offered in the North West, up 16.0% year-on-year, while 1,236 lots sold, an increase of 12.5%.
Over the same period, the region raised £161.4 million, up 11.0%. Residential property was the main driver, with 1,626 residential lots offered and 1,136 sold, generating £133.7 million.
Commercial auction activity in the North West was also encouraging. Commercial lots sold increased by 5.3%, while total commercial funds raised rose by 36.0% to £27.7 million.
This suggests continued confidence across a range of property types, from residential investments and refurbishment opportunities through to commercial premises and mixed-use assets.
For investors, the North West remains appealing because it offers a broad range of stock and a strong balance between affordability and potential return.
While other regions may offer higher headline yields, the North West continues to provide the depth, activity and long-term fundamentals that many investors look for.
One of the most important things for any auction buyer to understand is the meaning of a guide price. A guide price is not the same as an asking price. It is an indication of the seller’s reserve, rather than a prediction of the final sale price.
Under industry guidelines, the reserve must sit within 10% of a single guide price, or within the guide range if a price band is used. Recent EIG analysis also shows that around half of houses and flats sold within 10% of their guide price over the last five years, although some properties still achieve significantly more where competition is strong.
This makes due diligence essential. Before bidding, investors should review the legal pack, inspect the property where possible, understand any tenancy arrangements, check planning considerations, estimate refurbishment costs and confirm financing.
A property that appears attractively priced may still require careful investigation, particularly if there are structural issues, restrictive covenants, short leases, title concerns or unrealistic rental assumptions.
Auctions are designed to be transparent, but they also move quickly. The best-prepared buyers are usually the ones who can act with confidence when the right lot becomes available.
Edward Mellor Auctions have been helping people to buy and sell property for over 30 years. To learn more about buying at auction, legal packs and how to decide if a property is right for you, contact our team today.
Auction sale values continue to show a resilient market nationally, while also highlighting the relative affordability of the North West.
Across the UK, EIG data for February to April 2026 recorded 8,517 auction lots sold, raising £1.617 billion in total. That equates to an average auction sale value of around £189,856 across all property types.
Residentially, 7,610 lots sold for £1.314 billion, giving an average residential auction sale value of approximately £172,681.
By comparison, the North West recorded 1,236 lots sold for £161.4 million over the same February to April period, producing an average sale value of around £130,583 across all property types.
For residential auction stock, 1,136 lots sold for £133.7 million, giving an average residential sale value of approximately £117,694.
This gap helps explain why the North West remains so attractive to investors. Lower average sale values can make the region more accessible, while the 10.8% average yield reported for 2025–26 places it ahead of many regions and well above London’s 7.1%.
For investors focused on income, this combination of pricing and yield is compelling. It does not mean every North West auction lot will be the right investment, but it does show why the region continues to attract strong interest from buyers looking for value, cash flow and long-term potential.
The North West has long been a property powerhouse, and the latest auction data shows that the region continues to play a leading role in the national market.
With strong levels of supply, active buyer demand and a wide mix of residential, commercial and development opportunities, it remains a key area for investors looking to grow or reshape their portfolios.
Edward Mellor Property Auctions continues to be at the heart of that market. As one of the largest and most successful residential and commercial property auctions in the North West, we support buyers and sellers through a modern online auction process that combines convenience with the confidence of fixed timescales.
The strength of the Edward Mellor auction model was clear in our May online auction, where 33 lots sold, generating over £4.5 million in sales.
If you would like to learn more about selling at auction, or register a property for sale in an upcoming auction, book a free property appraisal using the link below.
Property auctions give buyers transparency, upfront information and fixed timescales, while sellers benefit from competitive bidding, committed buyers and the certainty of exchange when the hammer falls.
Online auctions also make it easier for investors to take part from wherever they are. With digital bidding and virtual viewings, the process is designed to be straightforward, accessible and efficient, whether you are buying your next investment or selling a property that would benefit from competitive demand.
Whether you are an experienced investor, a landlord reviewing your portfolio, or a seller looking for a fast and reliable route to market, Edward Mellor Property Auctions can help.
Our experienced auction team can guide you through the process, explain what your property could achieve and help you decide whether auction is the right option.
From vacant homes and tenanted investments to refurbishment projects, probate properties, commercial premises and land, auction can offer a clear route to a competitive sale within a fixed timescale.
Get in touch with Edward Mellor today to arrange a free, no-obligation property appraisal, view upcoming auction lots, or register to bid in our next online property auction.
Edward Mellor Property Auctions
Sources:
1 – Edward Mellor
2 – EIG auction Newsletter May 2026
3- EIG Property Auction Insights Q2 2026
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Auctions | Book an Appraisal | Auction Finance | Edward Mellor
