A cutting edge database
When we started 'Datawise' back in 1993 it was a database which was sent to the client via floppy disk as there was no internet, so to hold a database was relatively new and cutting edge!
As time has gone on the service has progressed alongside technology and we have had the information on the Essential Information Group website as an online database since 1996.
1993 - Datawise on floppy disk
1996 - Essential Information Group online database
2018 - EIG announces Auction Insight
EIG Auction Insight
We wanted to rename the service to describe what it did for the client as opposed to how it worked, and we've chosen 'Auction Insight'.
It's all about auctions but it is far more than just knowledge, as it gives the user a personalised insight into the areas of the industry that our clients are looking for.
David Sandeman, EIG Founder & Managing Director
For example, some of our clients looking at commercial property might just be looking at blue chip investments where the yield is going to be at least 5%, whereas others are looking for a property to buy in their locality to either to live in, rent out or maybe develop. In both cases, they want to have a complete view of what is currently available on the market and crucially to know whether the property has been to auction before and what similar properties have sold for in the street and immediate locality.
In the case of the commercial professional looking at blue chip covenants, he wants to know what the market is currently paying for that covenant. All of this information is available within Auction Insight, giving the user an in-depth insight into the marketplace.
Want to see what is coming up for sale in your area or what price properties have sold for at auction?
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.