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Selling Services

Sell your property at auction in Cardiff

Auction turns a sale into a fixed, dependable timescale - ideal for tenanted HMOs, probate properties and refurbishment projects across Cardiff. Here's how traditional and modern-method auctions compare, what each costs, and how to tell if it's right for you.

Compare the two methods

The basics

A structured, time-bound way to sell

At auction a property is listed with a guide price and a confidential reserve, then sold through open, transparent bidding - no drawn-out negotiations and no waiting on a fragile chain. For Cardiff landlords selling a tenanted HMO, executors handling probate, or owners with a refurb project, it puts speed and control firmly on your side, with committed, pre-qualified buyers.

Know your options

Traditional auction vs the Modern Method

Both end in a sale you can rely on. The difference is the timescale, who can bid, and how the buyer commits. Figures below are typical and indicative.

Traditional Auction

Unconditional - the classic ballroom-style sale

Exchange on the day ~20working days to complete Binding the moment the hammer falls

How it works

  1. The property is marketed with a guide price and a confidential reserve.
  2. Bidders carry out their checks and arrange finance before the sale.
  3. When the hammer falls, contracts exchange there and then - it's legally binding.
  4. The buyer pays a deposit (typically 10%) immediately.
  5. Completion follows quickly, usually within around 20 working days (28 calendar days).

Who it suits

  • Tenanted HMOs and portfolios sold to cash-ready investors
  • Probate and estate sales needing a clean, certain exit
  • Sellers who want speed and zero chance of a buyer pulling out

Modern Method of Auction

Conditional - online, with a reservation window

Reserve, then complete ~56days to completion Reservation fee secures the buyer

How it works

  1. The property runs on an online platform over a set bidding window (often days).
  2. The winning bidder pays a non-refundable reservation fee to secure it.
  3. Exchange of contracts then happens within a fixed period - typically 28 days.
  4. Completion follows, usually within a further 28 days (about 56 days overall).
  5. The longer runway lets buyers using a mortgage take part, not just cash.

Who it suits

  • Refurbishment projects that appeal to a wider, mortgage-backed buyer pool
  • Standard homes where a slightly broader market lifts the final price
  • Sellers wanting auction certainty without ruling out financed buyers

Start to finish

The auction process, step by step

From the first appraisal to the keys changing hands, here's how a sale runs with us.

01

Free auction appraisal

We assess the property - including tenancy schedules for HMOs - and advise on a realistic guide price and a protective reserve.

02

Legal pack prepared

Your solicitor assembles the legal pack: title, searches, tenancy agreements, EPCs and special conditions. Buyers review this before bidding.

03

Targeted marketing

The property is promoted across auction platforms and our Cardiff investor network, with viewings arranged for serious buyers.

04

Bidding & the hammer

Bidding runs in the room or online. The reserve protects you - the property won't sell below it.

05

Exchange & deposit

Traditional exchanges on the day; modern method secures a reservation fee with exchange to follow within the agreed window.

06

Completion

Funds transfer, ownership passes and, for tenanted sales, rent and deposits are apportioned to the new owner.

No surprises

Fees & costs, broken down

Auction pricing has a few moving parts. Here's what each term means so you can compare offers properly - always confirm exact figures with your auctioneer.

Reserve price

Seller sets

The confidential minimum you'll accept. Your safety net - bidding below it won't sell the property.

Guide price

Indicative

An indicative marketing figure to attract bidders. It is not the reserve and not a valuation.

Auction / entry fee

Varies

Charged by some auction houses to list. Often offset by the buyer's fees on modern-method sales.

Commission

% of sale

A percentage of the sale price on completion - confirm the rate and whether VAT applies up front.

Legal pack costs

Solicitor

Your solicitor's fee to prepare the pack buyers rely on. Worth investing in to avoid bidder hesitation.

Buyer's fees

Buyer pays

On the modern method the buyer usually pays a reservation fee - this can widen interest at no cost to you.

Decision time

Is auction right for you?

Auction isn't for every property - but where it fits, nothing beats it for certainty. If several of these ring true, it's well worth a conversation.

  • You want a fixed, dependable timescale rather than an open-ended sale
  • The property is tenanted - an HMO or buy-to-let aimed squarely at investors
  • You've inherited a property through probate and need a clean, swift sale
  • It's a refurbishment or 'project' that suits cash buyers or developers
  • You'd rather avoid a long chain and the risk of a buyer withdrawing
  • The property is unusual, non-standard or hard to value on the open market

Thinking About Selling or Buying at Auction?

Whether you're planning to sell through auction or are interested in buying, our team can provide honest, professional advice at every stage.

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