Auctions Are Back in the Spotlight

Selling a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make. For decades, the traditional route has been to instruct an estate agent, list the property online, host viewings, accept an offer, and then wait — sometimes months, sometimes longer — hoping the sale completes. But if you’ve ever sold on the open market, you’ll know it can be unpredictable, stressful, and drawn out.

In 2025, sellers across the UK are increasingly discovering that property auctions offer a better way. Auctions are not just for repossessions or rundown houses anymore. They have become the fastest, safest, and often most profitable route to selling your home.

And here on the Fylde Coast, sellers have access to a unique partnership that no other local estate agent can provide.

Carl Jackson – The Property Experts: your trusted local estate agent in Lytham St Annes and surrounding areas, offering premium marketing, hands-on service seven days a week, and in-depth knowledge of the local market.
Ray Purchase – The Auction Experts: a nationally recognised auctioneer who has overseen more than £21 million worth of auction sales, achieving on average 13% above reserve price through competitive bidding and market-leading auction strategies.

Together, we bring the best of both worlds:

The marketing power, professionalism, and trust of The Property Experts.
The auction expertise, speed, and security of The Auction Experts.

This isn’t a bolt-on or a faceless referral. When you instruct me, you instruct both of us. I remain your personal point of contact throughout, while Ray and his team deliver the auction framework that consistently outperforms the open market.

This combined approach gives you certainty, speed, and the potential for stronger returns — all underpinned by two powerhouse brands working hand in hand.

The Myths of Property Auctions (Busted)

For years, property auctions in the UK were misunderstood. Many sellers assumed they were a last resort for homes that couldn’t sell through an estate agent. That perception is no longer true. Let’s tackle some common myths head-on:

“Auctions are only for repossessions.”
False. Auctions are now used for standard family homes, probate properties, and landlord portfolio disposals.
“You’ll only get bargain hunters.”
False. Today’s auctions attract serious buyers — families, investors, and downsizers — who value the speed and certainty of the process.
“Auction sales are risky.”
False. In fact, auctions are the safest route because the sale is legally binding once the hammer falls.

Modern auctions, particularly through The Auction Experts, combine digital reach, professional marketing, and transparent bidding. When paired with The Property Experts’ local branding, they give sellers a professional, proven alternative to the open market.

Why Auctions Are the Safest Route to Sell Your Home

The open market is notoriously uncertain. According to the HomeOwners Alliance (2024), 1 in 3 property sales in the UK fall through before completion. The reasons range from mortgage rejections and survey results to broken chains and buyers changing their minds. Each failed sale can cost a seller thousands in lost time, fees, and stress.

Auctions eliminate this uncertainty. Here’s why they are the safest route:

Legally binding contracts: When the hammer falls, the buyer is legally committed to the purchase.
Immediate deposit: A deposit (typically 10%) is paid instantly, locking the sale in place.
No gazundering: Buyers cannot reduce their offer at the last minute — a common problem with estate agency sales.
No chains: Auction sales stand alone, unaffected by buyers or sellers elsewhere in the chain.
Transparency: Every bid is made publicly, eliminating secrecy or behind-the-scenes negotiations.

By combining The Property Experts’ marketing power to attract the right buyers with The Auction Experts’ legal and procedural framework, sellers are protected from the pitfalls that plague open-market sales.

Speed: How Fast Do Auction Sales Happen?

Time is money in property sales. On the open market, the average time from accepting an offer to completion is 20 weeks (Zoopla, 2025). For many sellers — whether handling probate, relocating, or freeing up capital — that’s far too long.

By contrast, auction sales are designed for speed:

28 days from hammer to completion is the standard.
Deposits are paid immediately, so the process cannot collapse.
Sellers avoid months of waiting, uncertainty, and holding costs.

For executors managing probate, landlords dealing with voids, or anyone keen to move quickly, auction speed is unbeatable. It turns months of waiting into weeks of certainty.

More Money: How Ray Achieves 13% Above Reserve

A common misconception is that auctions mean selling at a discount. In reality, competitive bidding often pushes the price higher than expected. Ray Purchase and The Auction Experts consistently achieve an average of 13% above reserve price — a figure that sets them apart in the industry.

How do they do it?

Competitive bidding: Buyers compete live, often stretching beyond their initial budget.
Urgency: A fixed auction date forces buyers to act decisively.
Psychology of competition: No one wants to lose out in front of other bidders.
Strategic reserves: Reserves are set at the right level to attract bidders while protecting sellers.
Professional marketing: High-quality visuals and targeted promotion maximise exposure.

Case Study Example:

Reserve price: £200,000
Final sale: £226,000
Result: £26,000 uplift, achieved in 28 days

This ability to generate uplift is why auctions are no longer seen as “cheap sales.” Instead, they are increasingly chosen for profitability.

Who Benefits Most from Auction Sales?

Auctions work for a wide range of sellers, but they are especially powerful in certain scenarios:

Probate properties: Executors need a fast, transparent process that delivers fair market value without drawn-out negotiations.
Landlords: Tenanted properties and portfolios can be sold quickly, without months of uncertainty.
Empty homes: Avoid ongoing council tax bills and the risk of deterioration by selling fast.
Unique or quirky properties: Homes that don’t fit neatly into the standard Rightmove search often shine at auction.
Motivated sellers: Anyone prioritising speed and certainty benefits from the auction model.

By combining local knowledge and valuation expertise with Ray’s proven auction process, we match the right sellers to the right buyers — delivering strong results every time.

The Auction Process: Step by Step

To give sellers clarity, here’s how the process works when you sell through Carl Jackson & The Auction Experts:

Valuation – I visit your property, explain both the estate agency and auction options, and provide honest advice.
Reserve agreed – Together with Ray, we set a sensible reserve that protects you while encouraging competition.
Legal pack prepared – A solicitor prepares the required documents (title deeds, searches, etc.).
Marketing begins – Professional photography, floorplans, descriptions, and targeted online promotion through The Property Experts’ channels.
Auction date set – Buyers are given a fixed date, creating urgency and competitive interest.
Auction day – Bidders compete in a transparent process, often driving the price above reserve.
Hammer falls – The winning bidder pays a deposit and exchanges contracts immediately.
Completion – Balance paid and sale completed within 28 days.

This process combines the professionalism of a premium estate agency with the security and certainty of a national auction platform.

Auction vs Traditional Estate Agency Sale

Feature	Estate Agent Sale	Auction Sale (Carl + Ray)
Timescale	3–6 months average	28 days from hammer to completion
Risk of Fall-Through	1 in 3 sales collapse	0% – legally binding once hammer drops
Buyer Certainty	Subject to mortgage/chain	Immediate deposit and exchange
Achieved Price	Market dependent, subject to renegotiation	Competitive bidding drives average +13% uplift
Transparency	Offers behind closed doors	Public, open, and fair

When I value your home, I don’t just push one route. I explain both clearly and recommend what’s best for you.

Modern Method vs Traditional Auction

There are two main types of auction in the UK:

Traditional Auction: Exchange happens immediately when the hammer falls. The buyer pays a 10% deposit and completes in 28 days.
Modern Method Auction (MMoA): Buyers pay a reservation fee and have 56 days to complete. This opens auctions to more buyers, including those needing mortgages.

With The Auction Experts, we tailor the auction type to the property and the seller’s circumstances, ensuring maximum competition while protecting the seller’s interests.

Why Work with Carl Jackson & Ray Purchase?

This partnership is what sets us apart:

Carl Jackson – The Property Experts
- Hyper-local knowledge across Lytham St Annes, Ansdell, Wrea Green, Freckleton and beyond.
- Premium marketing, including professional photography, drone footage, and social media reels.
- Personal service: I handle valuations, viewings, and negotiations myself, seven days a week.
Ray Purchase – The Auction Experts
- £21m+ in auction sales.
- Proven results of 13% above reserve.
- Expertise in both traditional and modern method auctions.
Together
- One point of contact (me).
- Two powerhouse brands aligned for your success.
- A dual-route service no other local agent can match.

FAQs

Can I sell my house by auction if I still have a mortgage?
Yes. Your solicitor will redeem the mortgage from the sale proceeds on completion.

Do I set the reserve price?
Yes, the reserve is agreed with you before marketing begins.

How quickly will I be paid?
Completion normally happens in 28 days, so you are paid far quicker than a private sale.

What if the auction doesn’t reach my reserve?
The property won’t sell below reserve. However, Ray’s strategies mean most exceed it.

What types of properties sell best at auction?
Probate, portfolios, unique homes, land, and renovation projects all perform strongly.

What is the difference between modern and traditional auctions?
Traditional auctions exchange contracts immediately. Modern auctions allow 56 days for completion.

Do I need to pay auction fees upfront?
No — fees are taken on completion, not before.

Can buyers use a mortgage in auction?
Yes, especially with modern method auctions.

Are auctions only for investors?
No, family buyers use auctions for speed and transparency too.

What happens on auction day?
Bidders compete, the hammer falls, and the buyer pays a deposit immediately.

Call to Action

Selling by auction is no longer a last resort. It is often the smartest, safest, and most profitable route. With Carl Jackson – The Property Experts and Ray Purchase – The Auction Experts, sellers on the Fylde Coast get the best of both worlds:

Local expertise and premium marketing.
National auction power and proven results.
One seamless service, tailored to your needs.

👉 Book your free valuation today and let’s explore whether auction could be the smartest move for your property.