There was a notable drop in activity levels in the UK property auction market last month, albeit it regional, with total lots sold down by 4% compared to last year.
However, the market remained resilient, as total revenue rose by 6.2% to £661.4m, according to the latest data from Essential Information Group (EIG).
Residential auctions followed a similar trend, with a 4.8% drop in sales but a9.2% increase in total funds raised to £530m. Meanwhile, commercial auctions struggled, with revenue dipping by 4.4% to £131.4m, reflecting a more selective investor approach.
EIG’s David Sandeman explained: “Regionally, London performed strongly over the past three months, with a 24.6% jump in total revenue to £294.9M. The East Midlands and East Anglia saw more properties listed, but weaker sales rates meant mixed results, while the North-East had a challenging period, with revenue down by 24.3%. Scotland also saw a sharp decline, with total funds raised falling by 34.2%.
“Overall, the market continues to hold firm but shifting demand and regional differences highlight the importance of adapting in the changing economic conditions.”
National Auction Analysis
Overall
N.B. Figures in brackets denote the comparative period last year
| February 2025 | December 2024 to February 2025 | March 2024 to February 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 4,249 (4,281) | ▼ 0.7% | 9,178 (9,162) | ▲ 0.2% | 39,422 (37,032) | ▲ 6.5% |
| Lots Sold | 3,083 (3,210) | ▼ 4.0% | 6,486 (6,682) | ▼ 2.9% | 28,036 (26,087) | ▲ 7.5% |
| Percent Sold | 72.6% (75.0%) | ▼ 3.2% | 70.7% (72.9%) | ▼ 3.0% | 71.1% (70.4%) | ▲ 1.0% |
| Total Raised | £661.4M (£622.7M) | ▲ 6.2% | £1,316.7M (£1,243.1M) | ▲ 5.9% | £5,581.1M (£4,968.4M) | ▲ 12.3% |
Residential
N.B. Figures in brackets denote the comparative period last year
| February 2025 | December 2024 to February 2025 | March 2024 to February 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 3,752 (3,813) | ▼ 1.6% | 8,158 (8,126) | ▲ 0.4% | 34,815 (32,497) | ▲ 7.1% |
| Lots Sold | 2,727 (2,864) | ▼ 4.8% | 5,777 (5,948) | ▼ 2.9% | 24,821 (22,921) | ▲ 8.3% |
| Percent Sold | 72.7% (75.1%) | ▼ 3.2% | 70.8% (73.2%) | ▼ 3.3% | 71.3% (70.5%) | ▲ 1.1% |
| Total Raised | £530.0M (£485.3M) | ▲ 9.2% | £1,068.1M (£985.3M) | ▲ 8.4% | £4,469.4M (£3,885.5M) | ▲ 15.0% |
Commercial
N.B. Figures in brackets denote the comparative period last year
| February 2025 | December 2024 to February 2025 | March 2024 to February 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 497 (468) | ▲ 6.2% | 1,020 (1,036) | ▼ 1.5% | 4,607 (4,535) | ▲ 1.6% |
| Lots Sold | 356 (346) | ▲ 2.9% | 709 (734) | ▼ 3.4% | 3,215 (3,166) | ▲ 1.5% |
| Percent Sold | 71.6% (73.9%) | ▼ 3.1% | 69.5% (70.8%) | ▼ 1.8% | 69.8% (69.8%) | ▼ 0.0% |
| Total Raised | £131.4M (£137.4M) | ▼ 4.4% | £248.7M (£257.8M) | ▼ 3.5% | £1,111.8M (£1,082.9M) | ▲ 2.7% |
Regional Auction Analysis
As is usually the case, variations across all the measurable parameters can be seen across the regions.
N.B. Figures in brackets denote the comparative period last year
East Anglia
(Includes Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 439 (389) | ▲ 12.9% | 402 (353) | ▲ 13.9% | 37 (36) | ▲ 2.8% |
| Lots Sold | 297 (289) | ▲ 2.8% | 272 (263) | ▲ 3.4% | 25 (26) | ▼ 3.8% |
| Percent Sold | 67.7% (74.3%) | ▼ 8.9% | 67.7% (74.5%) | ▼ 9.1% | 67.6% (72.2%) | ▼ 6.4% |
| Total Raised | £49.2M (£46.9M) | ▲ 5.0% | £45.3M (£41.1M) | ▲ 10.3% | £3.9M (£5.8M) | ▼ 32.3% |
East Midlands
(Includes Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 763 (681) | ▲ 12.0% | 648 (574) | ▲ 12.9% | 115 (107) | ▲ 7.5% |
| Lots Sold | 539 (521) | ▲ 3.5% | 448 (436) | ▲ 2.8% | 91 (85) | ▲ 7.1% |
| Percent Sold | 70.6% (76.5%) | ▼ 7.7% | 69.1% (76.0%) | ▼ 9.1% | 79.1% (79.4%) | ▼ 0.4% |
| Total Raised | £111.0M (£101.1M) | ▲ 9.8% | £68.5M (£70.2M) | ▼ 2.4% | £42.5M (£30.9M) | ▲ 37.5% |
London
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 790 (684) | ▲ 15.5% | 734 (632) | ▲ 16.1% | 56 (52) | ▲ 7.7% |
| Lots Sold | 587 (517) | ▲ 13.5% | 543 (480) | ▲ 13.1% | 44 (37) | ▲ 18.9% |
| Percent Sold | 74.3% (75.6%) | ▼ 1.7% | 74.0% (75.9%) | ▼ 2.5% | 78.6% (71.2%) | ▲ 10.4% |
| Total Raised | £294.9M (£236.6M) | ▲ 24.6% | £247.4M (£199.0M) | ▲ 24.3% | £47.5M (£37.7M) | ▲ 26.2% |
North-East
(Includes Cleveland, County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 583 (801) | ▼ 27.2% | 555 (757) | ▼ 26.7% | 28 (44) | ▼ 36.4% |
| Lots Sold | 439 (631) | ▼ 30.4% | 420 (599) | ▼ 29.9% | 19 (32) | ▼ 40.6% |
| Percent Sold | 75.3% (78.8%) | ▼ 4.4% | 75.7% (79.1%) | ▼ 4.3% | 67.9% (72.7%) | ▼ 6.6% |
| Total Raised | £31.4M (£41.5M) | ▼ 24.3% | £27.4M (£34.4M) | ▼ 20.4% | £4.0M (£7.1M) | ▼ 43.4% |
North-West
(Includes Cheshire, Cumbria, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 1,314 (1,383) | ▼ 5.0% | 1,188 (1,243) | ▼ 4.4% | 126 (140) | ▼ 10.0% |
| Lots Sold | 954 (1,014) | ▼ 5.9% | 872 (910) | ▼ 4.2% | 82 (104) | ▼ 21.2% |
| Percent Sold | 72.6% (73.3%) | ▼ 1.0% | 73.4% (73.2%) | ▲ 0.3% | 65.1% (74.3%) | ▼ 12.4% |
| Total Raised | £127.6M (£124.6M) | ▲ 2.4% | £107.2M (£102.0M) | ▲ 5.1% | £20.4M (£22.6M) | ▼ 9.6% |
North-West Home Counties
(Includes Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Oxfordshire)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 645 (610) | ▲ 5.7% | 566 (554) | ▲ 2.2% | 79 (56) | ▲ 41.1% |
| Lots Sold | 464 (454) | ▲ 2.2% | 399 (412) | ▼ 3.2% | 65 (42) | ▲ 54.8% |
| Percent Sold | 71.9% (74.4%) | ▼ 3.4% | 70.5% (74.4%) | ▼ 5.2% | 82.3% (75.0%) | ▲ 9.7% |
| Total Raised | £121.2M (£122.2M) | ▼ 0.8% | £96.5M (£97.6M) | ▼ 1.1% | £24.7M (£24.6M) | ▲ 0.3% |
Northern Ireland
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 52 (35) | ▲ 48.6% | 50 (34) | ▲ 47.1% | 2 (1) | ▲ 100.0% |
| Lots Sold | 25 (20) | ▲ 25.0% | 23 (19) | ▲ 21.1% | 2 (1) | ▲ 100.0% |
| Percent Sold | 48.1% (57.1%) | ▼ 15.8% | 46.0% (55.9%) | ▼ 17.7% | 100.0% (100.0%) | ▼ 0.0% |
| Total Raised | £2.5M (£2.4M) | ▲ 5.1% | £2.3M (£2.1M) | ▲ 12.5% | £0.2M (£0.3M) | ▼ 40.8% |
Scotland
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 300 (324) | ▼ 7.4% | 210 (213) | ▼ 1.4% | 90 (111) | ▼ 18.9% |
| Lots Sold | 113 (116) | ▼ 2.6% | 77 (80) | ▼ 3.8% | 36 (36) | ▼ 0.0% |
| Percent Sold | 37.7% (35.8%) | ▲ 5.3% | 36.7% (37.6%) | ▼ 2.4% | 40.0% (32.4%) | ▲ 23.5% |
| Total Raised | £12.9M (£19.6M) | ▼ 34.2% | £6.7M (£7.3M) | ▼ 7.6% | £6.2M (£12.3M) | ▼ 49.8% |
South-East Home Counties
(Includes Channel Islands, East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 1,425 (1,444) | ▼ 1.3% | 1,289 (1,327) | ▼ 2.9% | 136 (117) | ▲ 16.2% |
| Lots Sold | 1,002 (1,042) | ▼ 3.8% | 908 (946) | ▼ 4.0% | 94 (96) | ▼ 2.1% |
| Percent Sold | 70.3% (72.2%) | ▼ 2.6% | 70.4% (71.3%) | ▼ 1.3% | 69.1% (82.1%) | ▼ 15.8% |
| Total Raised | £234.6M (£234.4M) | ▲ 0.1% | £199.0M (£192.6M) | ▲ 3.3% | £35.6M (£41.8M) | ▼ 14.9% |
South-West
(Includes Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, Somerset, Wiltshire)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 754 (692) | ▲ 9.0% | 665 (603) | ▲ 10.3% | 89 (89) | ▼ 0.0% |
| Lots Sold | 565 (503) | ▲ 12.3% | 501 (436) | ▲ 14.9% | 64 (67) | ▼ 4.5% |
| Percent Sold | 74.9% (72.7%) | ▲ 3.0% | 75.3% (72.3%) | ▲ 4.1% | 71.9% (75.3%) | ▼ 4.5% |
| Total Raised | £115.4M (£93.1M) | ▲ 23.9% | £100.9M (£74.8M) | ▲ 34.8% | £14.5M (£18.3M) | ▼ 20.6% |
Wales
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 503 (531) | ▼ 5.3% | 441 (447) | ▼ 1.3% | 62 (84) | ▼ 26.2% |
| Lots Sold | 317 (354) | ▼ 10.5% | 273 (297) | ▼ 8.1% | 44 (57) | ▼ 22.8% |
| Percent Sold | 63.0% (66.7%) | ▼ 5.5% | 61.9% (66.4%) | ▼ 6.8% | 71.0% (67.9%) | ▲ 4.6% |
| Total Raised | £41.3M (£40.5M) | ▲ 1.8% | £30.8M (£31.4M) | ▼ 1.7% | £10.4M (£9.2M) | ▲ 13.9% |
West Midlands
(Includes Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 891 (853) | ▲ 4.5% | 810 (737) | ▲ 9.9% | 81 (116) | ▼ 30.2% |
| Lots Sold | 652 (677) | ▼ 3.7% | 592 (586) | ▲ 1.0% | 60 (91) | ▼ 34.1% |
| Percent Sold | 73.2% (79.4%) | ▼ 7.8% | 73.1% (79.5%) | ▼ 8.1% | 74.1% (78.4%) | ▼ 5.5% |
| Total Raised | £101.2M (£109.9M) | ▼ 7.9% | £85.4M (£81.9M) | ▲ 4.3% | £15.8M (£28.0M) | ▼ 43.6% |
Yorkshire and The Humber
(Includes North Humberside, North Yorkshire, South Humberside, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire)
| December 2024 to February 2025 | Total | Residential | Commercial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lots Offered | 719 (735) | ▼ 2.2% | 600 (652) | ▼ 8.0% | 119 (83) | ▲ 43.4% |
| Lots Sold | 532 (544) | ▼ 2.2% | 449 (484) | ▼ 7.2% | 83 (60) | ▲ 38.3% |
| Percent Sold | 74.0% (74.0%) | ▼ 0.0% | 74.8% (74.2%) | ▲ 0.8% | 69.7% (72.3%) | ▼ 3.6% |
| Total Raised | £73.5M (£70.3M) | ▲ 4.5% | £50.6M (£51.0M) | ▼ 0.8% | £23.0M (£19.3M) | ▲ 18.7% |
The figures are based on sales data provided to EIG by the auctioneers
