Get in touch

Fill in the form below and we'll get straight back to you

Residential Property Auctions

Helping you move forward with confidence

arrow Find an Expert
dots

Thinking of buying or selling at auction? We’ll help you get it right

 Property auctions can offer speed, certainty, and competitive pricing - whether you're a seller looking for a quick sale or a buyer seeking a unique opportunity. 

 

At Porter Dodson, we support clients through both traditional and modern methods of auction, ensuring the legal process is handled smoothly from start to finish.

How we help

Whether you're selling or buying, we’ll:

  • Work closely with your estate agent
  • Prepare a comprehensive auction legal pack, including:
    • Special conditions of sale
    • Property searches
    • Replies to enquiries
    • Planning documents and certificates
    • Draft transfer deed
  • Upload the pack to the agent’s website for prospective buyers
  • Attend the auction on your behalf to answer last-minute legal queries
  • Handle all post-auction legal formalities and complete the transaction

 


 

Traditional vs modern method of auction 

 

Traditional auction
  • Held in person, typically monthly
  • Properties sold to the highest bidder on the day
  • Exchange of contracts happens immediately
  • Buyer must complete within 28 days
  • Often attracts cash buyers or investors (e.g. for renovation or repossession properties)

Pros:
  • Fast, final, and legally binding
  • Certainty for sellers
Cons:
  • Less accessible for mortgage buyers
  • Can be intimidating for first-time buyers

 


 

 

Modern method of auction

  • Online auction format
  • Properties marketed in advance by estate agents
  • Buyers can view and make offers before bidding
  • Buyer has 56 days to complete, allowing time to arrange a mortgage

Pros:
  • More accessible to a wider range of buyers
  • Greater flexibility for mortgage arrangements
  • Competitive bidding can drive up sale price
Cons:
  • Entry fees may apply (up to £1,000)
  • Slightly less binding than traditional auctions - buyers may withdraw more easily

 


Why Choose Porter Dodson?

  • Specialist auction experience across both traditional and modern formats
  • Clear, practical advice at every stage
  • Responsive support on auction day and beyond
  • Offices across Somerset, Devon and Dorset, with remote support available nationwide
Michelle Wilson - Colour - High Res - 018_425

For legal advice on residential property auctions

arrow Get in touch
dots
quotes

We received a recommendation from a friend to use Steve Dunkerton and we were not disappointed. Steve provided a great service for the sale of our investment residential property near Bridport. His communication was always timely and detailed. Thank you Steve and the rest of your team.

Graham

All the staff that we had contact with were incredibly helpful, but Reena in particular, faced each challenge on our behalf with a calm and professional approach, and due to her expertise and level-headed approach, managed to navigate our sale through. It was unexpectedly lengthy and complicated, but we are so grateful for Reena’s tenacity, knowledge and support. Reena also expertly negotiated our ongoing purchase and tied everything up neatly for us. We would not hesitate to recommend either Reena or Porter Dodson to anyone needing representation in the property market.

Laurie

Very helpful and swift from start to finish. Wonderful recommendation from my friend.

Serena

We asked Reena Raval to handle the purchase of our house in Dorset. We can't recommend Reena and the team (Beckie and Jennifer) highly enough. It was a tricky purchase, but Reena explained the risks and process clearly. The purchase completed exactly on time (and with a competitively priced invoice!). I will definitely use Porter Dodson for work again. We highly recommend Reena and Porter Dodson to anyone looking for efficient and effective legal support at reasonable cost.

Jane

Legal Awards and Accreditations