Written by: Andy Thompson on 9th October 2025
Having worked in the property auction industry for over two decades, I’ve witnessed first-hand the way auctions have evolved – and it’s fair to say the sector today looks very different to when I first started out. Yet despite all the changes, one thing has remained a constant: auctions continue to provide one of the most transparent, efficient and reliable routes to buying and selling property.
When I started out at the very beginning of my career, auctions were firmly tied to the room. Buyers, sellers and solicitors would gather in hotels, conference centres or in our case, at Lancashire County Cricket Club, catalogue in hand, to watch the days bidding unfold. The atmosphere was often buzzing with a mix of excitement, nerves and competition, but the process was still relatively traditional. Marketing relied heavily on printed brochures, word of mouth and local presence.
Over the years, several key shifts have transformed the way we work:
Digital Revolution – the rise of online catalogues, virtual tours and livestream bidding has made auctions more accessible and transparent than ever before. Buyers no longer need to travel across the country to participate; they can log in from anywhere in the world. The adoption of digital tools has placed auctions among the most innovative parts of the property market, with approaches that other sectors are increasingly exploring.
Widening Buyer Base – Once considered the domain of seasoned investors and traders, auctions are now attracting first-time buyers, overseas investors and owner-occupiers. Greater visibility and confidence in the process have opened the doors to new audiences.
Technology will go further – there’s no doubt that tech has been the biggest driver of change. We are already seeing the likes of Docuwise coming to the market – which uses AI to summarise legal packs, virtual viewings are now commonplace and end-to-end online processes are streamlining transactions. These innovations will continue to enhance both efficiency and confidence.
Greater adoption across the market – As more agents, landlords and traders experience the benefits of auction sales, I expect the proportion of properties sold this way to increase steadily. For a growing number, auctions are shifting from being a “last resort” to a preferred route.
Stronger partnerships – Collaboration has always been a central approach to my work in auctions, partnering alongside estate agents, asset managers and introducers has been key to the growth of our business. Looking ahead, I expect collaboration across the market to evolve further – with stronger introducer networks, closer ties between lenders and auctioneers and more joined-up approaches that ensure sellers benefit from the widest possible pool of buyers.
Trust Through Transparency – In a market where trust is essential, the open and competitive nature of auctions, will remain one of it’s greatest strengths.
From where we are today, auctions stand at a really exciting point in their evolution. What was once a room-based, brochure-led process is now a transparent, accessible and technology-enabled marketplace attracting a broader range of buyers and sellers than ever before.
Looking ahead, the challenge and opportunity lie in building on this momentum – making the process more streamlined, intuitive and user-friendly, while opening it up to a wider range of demographics. At the same time, it’s vital we retain the energy and competition that make auctions unique. If we strike that balance, auctions will play an increasingly greater role in shaping the way property is bought and sold in the years to come.
Written by: Andy Thompson on 9th October 2025
