Further reading
How to buy a property in 28 days
You can by a property at auction, exchange and have the keys in 28 days.
View the property
It is so important to view the property before you bid, like David Sandeman explained in his own story, he turned up to a property he’d bought without viewing it, to soon find out it had no tenant and no front door! (Read more on previous blog post)
There are many factors you could miss which may not be shown in agent photos or mentioned in any legal documents so it’s always best to view the property to make sure you are happy with what you see!
Guide Price
A guide price is an indication of where the reserve is. It is NOT what the auctioneer necessarily expects to sell the property for, by researching the sale price of similar properties on our site it will give you a good idea as to what a lot might sell for.
Read the legal pack
As we always mention it is crucial you read the legal documentation. There are 'special conditions' which the vendor can draft and over which the auctioneer has no control, and they may not of seen, so it is very important to read through all documentation thoroughly. You may miss a hidden cost or issue which even the auctioneer was unaware of. Most importantly a document that may be missing deliberately could be the most important. For example, if buying a leasehold property, you should expect to see 3 years of service charge records, if they are missing you should ask for them.
Instruct a solicitor
We always recommend you instruct a solicitor, the additional cost to do so could save you much more. Their expertise could spot something you have missed, they know what to look out for. Its always preferential to have full confidence before you bid at auction.
Arrange finances
Buying a property at auction is very different to traditional purchases. Exchanges happen much faster usually at the fall of the hammer and completions are usually within 28 days, so it often pays to arrange your finance before the auction. Remember you are the legal owner the moment the hammer goes down!
Plan for the auction
Its always good to have decided a maximum amount that you are willing to go to, and to stick to it. If you succeed, you must pay a 10% deposit and some auction costs immediately so ensure you have everything ready.
Essential Information Group - News and Information
Keep up to date with our latest news, case studies and what's going on in the property auction industry on our blog.
Buying at auction
25/03/2026
The Most Important Document in the Legal Pack? The One That’s Missing.
Legal packs are often treated as the definitive source of truth in a property transaction. But in reality, they are anything but complete. While they provide essential information, they are built to meet minimum requirements - not to offer full transparency. And in many cases, it’s not what’s included that creates risk, but what’s missing.
Buying at auction
24/03/2026
Guide Prices: Why Buyers Should Treat Them as a Guide to the Reserve
Guide prices are one of the most misunderstood elements of the auction process. Too often, buyers treat them as an indication of a property’s value, when in reality they are designed to signal something entirely different, the likely reserve. In an increasingly competitive and dynamic auction market, understanding this distinction is critical to making informed decisions and avoiding costly assumptions.
Buying at auction
23/03/2026
There’s So Much More Than the Aroma of Hot Coffee…
There’s so much more to selling a property than creating the perfect first impression. While details like fresh coffee, open windows, and careful staging can help set the scene, today’s buyers are looking for something far more important - clarity, confidence, and certainty. And that doesn’t come from how a property feels, but from how well it’s prepared behind the scenes.