If you haven’t thought about selling property via auction before, now might be the time to consider it as a serious option. In the current market, forward-thinking agents are using auctions as an alternative route to sale more frequently and here are five reasons why:

1. It has a proven success rate

Sale by auction is a tried and tested way to sell property, backed by decades of sales history. Many estate agents in market towns across the UK come with the tagline ‘Estate Agents, Auctioneers and Valuers,’ a telling nod to the place auctions hold in the industry’s history. Despite the fact that, in more recent years, some agents have withdrawn the service from their repertoire, sale by auction is now making a comeback and it’s easy to see why. For more about how online property auctions work, see our recent blog post: Online Property Auctions: How Do They Actually Work?

2. It speeds up transaction times

In today’s market, which is known for its ever-increasing transaction times and lengthy delays, one of the key benefits of selling at auction is the way it speeds up the sales process. Sales at auction generally complete within 28-42 days, meaning buyers and sellers are no longer left frustrated and facing delays. With faster transaction times, agents can take their fee faster than through traditional treaty sales, meaning everyone involved has a quicker turnaround and less stress. In today’s climate, getting income in and having an injection of cash to the agency is key.

3. Supply is increasing

In the last six months, we have seen a steady increase in the supply of properties available to the market, with over 5,000 transactions now having sold through Bamboo’s platform. Over the last 12 months, we have seen a 50% increase in the number of properties being listed for online auction by agents. As the market in general is more robust, with strong offers from buyers on the up, it’s the perfect time for agents who have not yet introduced auctions to their service offering to start doing so.

4. Certainty of sale

As well as faster transaction times, selling at auction provides more certainty over the sale, giving the seller more control over the whole process. There’s significantly less chance of a sale falling through after auction, which is often the case with a private treaty sale, if the buyer decides to change their mind or back out. Selling at auction means you’re dealing with multiple buyers, rather than just one, giving everyone the chance to bid. The auction process ensures there are set deadlines in place to make sure the transaction completes. Buyers using the Bamboo platform have completed their ID checks and already input their payment details prior to the auction starting, showing just how committed they are to the bidding process. As a result, when the auction closes, the winning buyer is instantly charged and the property can exchange online, with a legally binding commitment to complete within an agreed timeframe.

5. The market is rebalancing

With the new Labour government, the market is now entering a period of greater economic certainty and we are seeing green shoots appearing as things start to rebalance. Our statistics reinforce this. We’ve seen growth year on year in the number of properties being listed for online auction by agents. In addition, the average price reduction required to sell has also reduced to just 9.5% of the original reserve price, as compared to almost 20% in May 2024. These figures highlight the fact that pricing is hardening and becoming more aligned with buyer expectations.

More and more agents are now using auctions as an alternative route to sale and embracing Bamboo’s technology and expertise to manage the transaction. The platform provides the tools the agent needs to complete the auction, and Bamboo’s team of experts are on hand to help guide estate agents through the process.

The use of auctions, particularly online auctions, is gaining in popularity and providing both agents and vendors with a seamless way to navigate property transactions. To read more about how the auction process works, take a look at our recent article featured in The Negotiator.

If you’re an estate agent ready to discover the power of online auctions, get in touch today to speak with one of our team of experts, we’d love to hear from you!