Members of NAVA Propertymark's Advisory Panel Board, which represents the auctioneers' body for the property auctions market, have given an optimistic assessment of the second quarter of 2026, pointing to strong quarterly results even as buyers remain highly sensitive to pricing.
Increases across the board in the property auctions market
Stuart Collar-Brown, NAVA Propertymark president, set out the scale of the projected growth. "As it stands from my own viewpoint, compared to Q1 we are projected to witness an increase of 14 per cent on lots offered; an increase of 20 per cent on lots sold; and an increase of 41 per cent on amount raised through sold lots," he said.
More lots are expected to enter the pipeline in the second quarter, Collar-Brown explained, alongside a higher number of sales. The percentage of lots sold is projected to increase from 84% to 88%, while the amount raised is forecast to climb by 41%, driven by a larger volume of higher-priced assets. Projected sold amounts are expected to rise from £44.1 million in Q1 to £62.1 million in Q2.
Commercial property, both vacant and investment, is attracting very strong demand, he added, with speculative land and garage sites also proving popular with buyers. Vacant residential properties in need of modernisation are drawing robust interest too. Residential investment properties, however, are struggling noticeably, with fewer investors active in the market.
"There is a large influx of landlords trying to exit the market," Collar-Brown concluded.
Correctly priced stock achieving strong results
Richard Worrall, past president of NAVA Propertymark and a member of its Advisory Panel Board, described a market that continues to reward realistic pricing. "The auction market continues to be price sensitive, with well-priced stock achieving exceptionally strong results, whilst those properties considered not so attractive by purchasers struggling to reach their reserve price," he noted.
Homes requiring refurbishment or repair, where buyers can add value, are also achieving strong results, Worrall said. Mixed commercial and residential properties are attracting good interest as well. "Rented flats and HMOs are still proving to be challenging," he concluded.
Strong interest in properties needing modernisation
Melfyn Williams, past president of NAVA Propertymark and a fellow Advisory Panel Board member, reported that the land and property auction market remains firm, though pricing is now more sensitive when it comes to attracting competitive bidding. General enquiries about selling by auction are up slightly year on year, he added.
"Properties in need of modernisation or with a small parcel of land attached remain firm favourites, along with the smaller terrace houses, that are considered by many as 'great doer uppers'," Williams said.
