Key Advantages of Selling at Auction
Things to Consider Before Selling at Auction
Setting a Reserve Price
You’ll need to agree a reserve price, the minimum you’re willing to accept.While the final sale price is determined by the highest bidder, our experienced team will guide you in setting a realistic and strategic reserve.
No Guarantee of Sale
Although auction offers a high success rate, there’s always a chance your property may not sell on the day.At LSH Auctions, our average success rate is over 80%. If your property doesn’t sell, we continue marketing it post-auction and invite best bids from interested parties.
Additional Costs
Selling at auction involves some costs not typically associated with estate agents.These including an entry fee, auctioneer’s commission, and legal fees. We’ll explain these clearly upfront so there are no surprises.
Why LSH Property Auctions?
Trusted Advice
We’ll always advise whether auction or private treaty is the best route for your property
Extensive Reach
Our marketing campaigns target thousands of active buyers across the UK
Unmatched Experience
With over 100 years in the industry, LSH is one of the most respected in the business
Proven Results
We consistently sell over 80% of properties entered into our auctions
Selling Your Property at Auction:
A Step-by-Step Guide
Selling at auction can be a fast, transparent, and effective way to achieve the best price for your property. Here’s how the process works:
If you are thinking about selling your property at auction and to give you the most accurate advice and valuation, we’ll need a few key details about your property.
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything, just send what you can:
- Full property address, including postcode
- Photographs – external and internal if possible
- Tenure – freehold or leasehold
- Tenancy details – if the property is let
- Floor plans or room sizes – if available
- Title plan – usually available from your solicitor or via HM Land Registry
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to help you decide if auction is the right route for you. If it is, we’ll provide:
- Guide Price - We’ll agree a guide price with you that reflects your expectations. We’re committed to transparency and will never quote a guide price below the reserve.
- Recommended Reserve Price – the minimum you’re willing to accept
Once you decide to proceed:
- We’ll agree our terms, including entry fees and commission
- You’ll need to provide proof of identity and address (required by Anti-Money Laundering regulations). If you’re acting on behalf of someone else, we’ll need their details too.
After instruction:
- One of our surveyors will inspect the property, take measurements, and arrange photography
- We’ll prepare draft sales particulars for your approval
- Your solicitor will create a legal pack, which will be available online for potential buyers during the marketing period
We use a multi-channel strategy to attract serious buyers:
- Email alerts to our extensive database of registered buyers
- Listings on major property portals
- Online advertising and “For Sale” boards (where appropriate)
- Targeted outreach to developers, builders, agents, and local investors
- Progress updates: We track interest, enquiries, and legal pack downloads, keeping you informed throughout
Reserve Price Review: A few days before the auction, we’ll update you on buyer interest and confirm or adjust the reserve price if needed.
- When the gavel falls, a binding contract is formed. The buyer pays a 10% deposit (minimum £2,000) and a buyer’s fee.
- We carry out full AML checks on all bidders before the auction.
- If your property doesn’t sell, we continue marketing for 45 days and follow up with interested parties—many sales are agreed shortly after the auction.
Completion usually takes place 20 working days after the auction, unless your solicitor specifies otherwise in the legal pack.
FAQ for Sellers
Auction is ideal for properties that attract competitive interest, require a quick sale, or have unique characteristics. Our team will assess your property and advise whether auction is the best route or if private treaty may be more suitable.
We work with a wide range of sellers including private individuals, companies, developers, banks, receivers, housing associations, and public sector bodies.
Absolutely. Our experienced auction team is available to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Just get in touch—we’re happy to help.
To get started, we’ll need:
- The full property address (including postcode)
- Photos (internal and external if possible)
- Tenure details
- Tenancy information (if applicable)
- Floor plans or room sizes (if available)
- Title plan
Our fees include a listing fee and commission, which we’ll confirm during your initial consultation. We’ll always be transparent about costs and ensure you understand all charges before proceeding.
While auction suits many property types, very large or complex assets may be better sold via private treaty. We’ll assess your property and recommend the most effective method based on your objectives.
The guide price is an indication of the seller’s minimum expectation. It’s not a valuation, but a figure agreed with the seller to attract interest. It may change during the marketing period.
The reserve price is the minimum amount the seller is willing to accept. It’s confidential and agreed before the auction. If bidding doesn’t reach this figure, the property won’t be sold.
In some cases, accepting a pre-auction offer may be appropriate. We’ll advise you based on market interest and your goals. If an offer is accepted, contracts must be exchanged immediately under auction conditions.
If your property doesn’t sell, we continue marketing it for a period after the auction. We’ll follow up with interested parties and invite best bids. Many sales are agreed shortly after the auction.
Thinking About Selling?
Speak to our auction specialists for advice on pricing, timing and the best route to market.