Property auctions see higher activity but lower proceeds last month
Property auction activity increased in February, with more lots brought to market and more sales completed than a year earlier, according to new figures from Essential Information Group (EIG).
EIG said 4,534 lots were offered across the UK during the month, a rise of 6.7% compared with February 2025. Sales grew by 6.2% to 3,274 lots, leaving the success rate little changed at 72.2%, marginally below last year’s 72.6%.
Despite the higher volumes, the total raised fell to £645.3 million, down 2.4% year on year. The figures point to a lower average price achieved, the auction house said.
| National Auction | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | December 2025 to February 2026 | March 2025 to February 2026 | ||||
| Value* | Change | Value* | Change | Value* | Change | |
| Lots Offered | 4,546 (4,249) | ▲ 7.0% | 10,682 (9,178) | ▲ 16.4% | 42,619 (39,422) | ▲ 8.1% |
| Lots Sold | 3,311 (3,083) | ▲ 7.4% | 7,586 (6,486) | ▲ 17.0% | 29,702 (28,036) | ▲ 5.9% |
| Percent Sold | 72.8% (72.6%) | ▲ 0.3% | 71.0% (70.7%) | ▲ 0.4% | 69.7% (71.1%) | ▼ 2.0% |
| Total Raised | £655.5M (£661.4M) | ▼ 0.9% | £1,521.0M (£1,316.7M) | ▲ 15.5% | £5,971.6M (£5,581.1M) | ▲ 7.0% |
| Source: Essential Information Group. * Figures in brackets denote the comparative period last year | ||||||
In the three months from December to February, London remained the largest market by value, generating £364.6 million, up 23.6% on the same period a year earlier, alongside a 21.3% rise in sales.
The West Midlands recorded gains in both activity and proceeds, with lots sold up 35.0% and funds raised increasing 30.7% to £132.2 million. East Anglia also posted strong growth, with sales up 35.7% and total raised up 43.4%.
By volume, the North-West was the busiest regional market, with 1,503 lots offered. The area raised £145.7 million, an increase of 14.1% year on year.
“The year to date has represented a solid start for the auctioning profession,” said Stuart Collar-Brown (pictured right), president of NAVA Propertymark.
“Auctions can prove an efficient route for buyers and sellers navigating through complex circumstances where a fast sale is needed compared to the obstacles that traditional private treaty sales can sometimes present.
“The housing market has come up against many upheavals since the beginning of the decade, and with more of such signs to come when considering recent global events, auctioning has the potential to no doubt continue as a widely respected sales method that produces favourable results when buying or selling a property.”
Want to be regularly updated with mortgage news and features? Get exclusive interviews, breaking news, and industry events in your inbox – subscribe to our FREE daily newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
