An auction sale needs preparation before the property is offered. Treat the choice of auctioneer, the paperwork and the timetable as connected decisions.
Compare the appointment terms
Ask what you would pay if the lot sells, is withdrawn or remains unsold. RICS advises sellers to understand the auctioneer's terms and appoint a solicitor to prepare the legal pack. Obtain written explanations of charges rather than comparing headline commission alone.
Prepare accurate information
Give your solicitor the documents and details requested, including occupation and known disputes. Keep a dated list of outstanding enquiries. Review the marketing particulars and flag anything that does not match the information supplied.
Agree the decision points
Discuss the guide and reserve with the auctioneer and understand how changes will be handled. Decide who can approve an offer or amendment and how you will be contacted. Do not assume that a guide is a promise of the final sale price.
Plan for more than one outcome
Ask what happens after a successful bid and what happens if the property does not sell. Confirm the contract-specific timetable and your responsibilities with the solicitor. Keep moving, clearance and financial arrangements aligned with the actual agreement rather than a standard period remembered from another sale.
Editorial review: 14 October 2026. This original Property Perpetuity guide replaces the imported text; the original archive publication date is retained.