Sell your property at Auction
We have created this guide to help you understand the process of selling at auction and to give you the confidence that it could be the right choice for your property. Our aim is to explain clearly how auction works, why it is becoming increasingly popular, and what you can expect if you decide to take this route.
Auction offers an alternative to the traditional method of selling, providing speed, certainty and transparency. It can be a suitable option whether you are a homeowner looking for a simple and straightforward sale, a landlord wishing to release an investment quickly, or someone who wants the reassurance of a fixed completion date.
We know that selling a property can sometimes feel stressful, especially if you have financial commitments, deadlines, or plans that depend on a successful sale. Auction is designed to reduce those pressures. We’re here to help you through every step of the process, ensuring buyers commit as soon as the bidding ends, with agreed timescales that mean you can plan your next steps with confidence.
As experienced agents in Wigan and the surrounding areas, we understand the local market and what attracts buyers. By working in partnership with our auction service, we can give your property national exposure, opening it up to a wide audience of motivated buyers across the UK.
If you are unsure whether auction is the right option, we are here to guide you through the choices available. From the Modern Method of Auction, which offers slightly longer timescales, to the Traditional Auction with faster completions, we will help you choose the route that suits your circumstances best.
Why sell at Auction?
Auction is a faster, more secure alternative to selling via Private Treaty. We use our auction service to offer you fixed completion times, committed buyers, and a structured, transparent process designed to maximise your chances of achieving the best possible price.
Faster completions
With Private Treaty, sales can take over 125 days to complete. Through our auction service, we can provide you with fixed completion timescales of 28 days (Traditional Auction) or 56 days (Modern Method), giving you the confidence to plan your move with certainty.
Committed buyers
We ensure that buyers pay a non-refundable Reservation Fee or Deposit, which secures your property exclusively to them. This means your buyer is serious from the start, and we help reduce the risk of fall-throughs that can derail traditional sales.
Competitive bidding drives up prices
We create a transparent and competitive environment for your property. A Starting Bid attracts interest, and active bidding helps you achieve the highest possible sale price as motivated buyers compete for your home.
Reserve Price protection
Every auction sale we handle has a confidential Reserve Price that we agree with you. This guarantees you won’t sell for less than your agreed minimum, giving you peace of mind while we encourage competitive offers to achieve the best result for you.
Optimised exposure
We market your property across major property portals and to a targeted database of cash and mortgage buyers through our auction service. This maximises visibility and helps us attract a wider audience of motivated buyers for your home.
Cost-effective selling
Typically, you only pay for the Auction Pack, which contains all the legal documents buyers need. Solicitor fees are separate, and if your property doesn’t sell, there is no agency fee—giving you a risk-free option to test the market.
Ideal for many sellers
We’ve helped homeowners, investors, and developers who want speed, certainty, and a structured sale. Whether you’re in a chain, looking to move quickly, or selling an investment property, we can help you determine if auction is the right choice for your circumstances.
Expert guidance throughout
Our team will guide you through every stage using our auction service—from preparation and marketing to bidding and completion—ensuring you have a smooth, secure sale with support whenever you need it.
Auction Process
Selling a property at auction follows a clear, structured process. We’ll help you understand each stage to ensure you’re fully prepared for a smooth sale.
1. Pricing Strategy
We’ll work with you to discuss a pricing strategy, including a confidential Reserve Price (the minimum you’ll accept) and a Starting Price to attract interest. This ensures you stay in control while we maximise buyer engagement on your behalf.
2. Getting Prepared
Preparation is key, and we’ll guide you through every step:
- ID verification (a legal requirement)
- Compiling your Auction Pack
- Considering leasehold properties and Management Packs
- Selecting a solicitor or using the legal company we work with for specialist auction conveyancing
3. Pre-Auction Marketing
We’ll advertise your property across major portals, plus to a database of registered buyers through our auction service. We can arrange open days, virtual tours, and viewings to help generate interest, creating competitive bidding that drives up the final price for you.
4. Ready to Go!
Once your Auction Pack is complete, we’ll set the auction start and end dates, ready for bidding. We carefully time this to capture maximum buyer interest and give you the best chance of success.
5. Bidding
Registered buyers place bids on your property through our auction service. If a bid is made in the last two minutes, the timer resets to ensure everyone has a fair chance to compete. The sale is agreed once a bid meets or exceeds your Reserve Price after the auction ends.
6. Property Sold
Depending on the auction method we’ve chosen together, the buyer has either 28 or 56 days from receipt of draft contracts to complete. The non-refundable Reservation Fee we secure ensures the buyer is fully committed to purchasing your property.
7. Next Steps
We’ll work closely with you to finalise the sale. Our team liaises with your solicitor, the buyer, and any third-party services to ensure everything progresses smoothly to completion, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Additional guidance
At every stage, we’re available to answer your questions, provide updates, and advise on strategy. By using our auction service, you benefit from specialist auction experience and nationwide exposure, giving your property the best opportunity to achieve a successful sale.
Selling at Auction FAQs
What You Need to Know About Selling at Auction
Whether you’re selling your first property or have auction experience, here are the key things we want you to understand about the process.
Why sell at auction?
Auction offers speed, security, and committed buyers. Unlike Private Treaty, we can help your sale complete in just 28 or 56 days, giving you the confidence to plan your move. With a Reserve Price we agree with you in place, you’re protected from underselling, while competitive bidding helps us drive the final price higher for you.
How does the Modern Method of Auction work?
This is our most popular method and provides transparency while opening up your property to both cash and mortgage buyers. We ensure buyers pay a non-refundable Reservation Fee to demonstrate commitment, and fixed timescales allow them time to arrange finance. The result: we deliver a faster, more secure sale than traditional routes.
What fees are involved?
Typically, you only pay for the Auction Pack, which contains all the information buyers need. Solicitor fees are separate, and no sale means no agency fee. This makes auction a cost-effective option when you’re looking for speed and certainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to accept the highest bid?
No. Each property has a confidential Reserve Price that we set with you. If it is not met, you are not obliged to sell, and we’ll discuss your options.
What is a Starting Bid?
The Starting Bid is the initial published price we set for your property. It’s for guidance only and does not represent the Reserve Price—it’s designed to attract interest and encourage bidding.
Can I accept bids before the auction ends?
Yes. We can accept offers before the auction closes. We’ll advise you on timing and strategy to help you achieve the best result.
What is a Reserve Price?
The Reserve Price is the minimum amount we agree your property can be sold for. We keep it confidential and it’s generally no more than 10% above the Starting Bid.
What if the Reserve Price is not met?
If the auction ends without meeting your Reserve Price, we’ll discuss the next steps with you. You can choose to accept the highest bid or we can explore other options together.
Are bids legally binding?
With Modern Method of Auction, the bid secures a non-refundable Reservation Fee that we collect on your behalf. It reserves the property and obliges the buyer to exchange contracts within the agreed timeframe. If they withdraw, they lose the fee, protecting you from time-wasters.
Why do you use sole selling rights agreements?
Sole Selling Rights mean your property is marketed and sold exclusively through us and our auction service. This ensures we can coordinate all marketing efforts effectively, maximising buyer interest and giving you the best chance of achieving a strong sale price.
What is a Management Pack and why do I need one?
For leasehold properties, a Management Pack provides buyers with information on ground rent, service charges, insurance, and other legal obligations. We’ll help you obtain this from the Freeholder or Managing Agent to ensure everything is in place for a smooth sale.
How do I prepare my property for auction?
Preparation is key, and we’ll guide you through every step:
- ID checks and legal documentation
- Compiling your Auction Pack with our support
- Marketing your property to attract the right buyers
If your property is leasehold, we’ll advise you on obtaining a Management Pack from your Freeholder or managing agent, helping you prepare in advance to avoid any delays.
What if I’m in a chain or need flexibility?
Auction works best if you can meet fixed completion timescales. If you’re part of a chain, we’ll help you decide whether Modern Method, Traditional Auction, or Private Treaty is the best option for your situation. We’ll work closely with you to ensure the timing and terms suit your circumstances.
Why choose us as your local auction specialist?
Led by Alan, who brings over 40 years of experience serving the Wigan area, our local team understands what it takes to maximise interest and competitive bidding for your property. We manage every step of the process—from marketing and viewings to bidder registration—so you can focus on your move. Our personalised approach ensures you get expert guidance and hands-on support throughout the sale, with someone you can call who knows you, your property, and the local market inside out.
Top tips for selling a property at auction
Auction is a faster, more secure way to sell, whether it’s your first home or an investment property. Here are our top tips to help make the process smooth and successful for you.
Choose the right auction method
We offer different options: Modern Method (56-day completion), Traditional Auction (28-day completion), or Private Treaty. Your choice affects timescales, buyer type, and security of sale. We’ll help you decide which suits you best. Modern Method is most popular, allowing both mortgage and cash buyers, while Traditional Auction is fastest but limited to cash buyers.
Set a Reserve Price
Every property we sell at auction has a Reserve Price—the minimum you’ll accept. We’ll agree this with you to protect your sale while letting competitive bidding push the final price higher.
Prepare your Auction Pack
The Auction Pack contains all legal documents and property details buyers need. We’ll help you complete it early to avoid delays and attract serious, committed bidders. We’ll also arrange professional photography and ensure all information is clear to help your property stand out.
Work with our trusted team
Auction involves multiple steps: marketing, viewings, legal checks, and completion. With Alan’s 40 years of experience in the Wigan area and our established relationships with auction-experienced solicitors, we’ll keep the entire process on track for you.
Plan your timescales carefully
Auction has fixed completion periods: 28 or 56 days. We’ll make sure you can meet these deadlines, especially if you’re in a chain. We’ll maintain clear communication with you throughout, ensuring you’re prepared for every stage and know exactly what to expect.
Experience with auction sales
We have extensive experience managing both Modern Method and Traditional Auctions. We handle all aspects of marketing, bidder registration, and competitive bidding to get the best possible price for your property.
Marketing expertise
We advertise your property across major property portals and reach out to both cash and mortgage buyers through our auction service. We also promote your property to our extensive database of active buyers. Our strong marketing approach maximises interest and competition for your home.
Local knowledge and specialist advice
With Alan’s 40 years of experience serving the Wigan area, we understand the local market inside out. We can advise you on pricing, marketing, and preparation based on what buyers are looking for in your specific area. We’ll guide you on features, presentation, and legal requirements to give your property the best chance of success.
Clear communication throughout
We keep you updated at every stage: interest levels, viewing feedback, bids received, and next steps. We’ll guide you through offers, Reservation Fees, and completion to reduce stress and ensure deadlines are met. You’ll always know what’s happening with your sale.
Personalised support
We understand that every property, seller, and situation is different. We tailor the auction process to your specific circumstances, giving you hands-on guidance and ensuring a smooth, secure sale. You’re not just a transaction to us—you’ll have direct access to our team who know you and your property personally.
Auction Pack & Legal Requirements
The Auction Pack provides buyers with all the information they need to make an informed decision. Preparing it correctly upfront is key to a smooth sale.
What’s included
An Auction Pack typically contains:
Title documents or Epitome of Title
Property Information Form
Local Authority Search
Water and Drainage Search
Reservation Agreement
General Terms and Conditions
Fixtures and Fittings forms
Any special conditions of sale
Leasehold properties
If your property is leasehold, a Management Pack may be required from the Freeholder or Managing Agent. This pack provides information about service charges, ground rent, insurance, and other obligations.
Conveyancing options
You can choose your own solicitor or use our specialist auction conveyancing partner, Medway Law. Using an experienced auction conveyancer ensures contracts are prepared correctly and completion deadlines are met.
Getting prepared upfront
Preparing your Auction Pack early prevents delays during the sale. For Traditional (Unconditional) Auctions, it’s especially important to have your solicitor ready to meet the faster 28-day completion timescale.
Third-party services
If you’re using a third-party for your Auction Pack or conveyancing, we’ll need electronic copies of the documents before marketing can begin. This ensures deposits and contracts are processed smoothly once the sale completes.
Benefits of using experts
With Medway Law and our Auction Specialists, you benefit from:
Fast, efficient preparation of Auction Packs
Expert guidance on legal requirements
Reduced risk of delays or errors during completion
Peace of mind
Knowing your Auction Pack and legal documentation are prepared correctly gives you confidence throughout the auction process. Combined with our partnership with iamsold, this ensures your sale is handled professionally from start to finish.
Why we can help you
Choosing the right team for your auction sale is a big decision, especially with so many steps involved. Here’s why we’re well placed to guide you through the process.
Experience
Our auction specialists have extensive experience helping sellers in Wigan and across the UK navigate both Modern Method and Traditional Auctions. Working alongside our partners iamsold, we ensure every property sale follows a smooth, transparent process from start to finish.
Proven results
With our support, properties regularly achieve their Reserve Price or more. Our team knows how to generate interest, manage competitive bidding, and help sellers achieve the best possible outcome.
Reputation
We’re proud of our track record. Sellers appreciate our transparent, hands-on approach, and many of our new clients come through recommendations from past customers. Our collaboration with iamsold further strengthens our service and expertise in auction sales.
Marketing expertise
We invest in professional photography, virtual viewings, and high-quality online listings. Through our partnership with iamsold, your property reaches a wider audience of cash and mortgage buyers, maximising interest and competitive bidding.
Personalised support
Auction can feel fast-paced, but we’re with you every step of the way. From preparing your Auction Pack and advising on Reserve Price, to guiding you through bids and completion, we focus on your needs to make the process as smooth as possible.
Next steps
If you’d like to discuss selling at auction or have any questions about the process, our Auction Specialists and iamsold partners are ready to help. Call us today to find out how we can support your sale.