Modern method auction (MMoA) sales are gaining ground in the UK housing market, according to new data from Lomond, a network of lettings and sales agents, which shows that house purchases via this method have increased by 14.5% in the last year, compared with the previous year.
The trend suggests that more sellers and buyers are looking beyond traditional sale routes, with MMoA sales on average completing faster than other methods, at a time when conventional transaction timelines remain lengthy. Once the price is agreed in a MMoA transaction, the sale must complete in 56 days, the firm says, adding that data from across its network reveals house sales via other methods take an average of 98 days. The findings come as lengthy transaction timelines continue to place pressure on movers, with certainty of sale becoming an increasingly important factor for vendors and buyers navigating the residential market.
Modern methods of auction differ to the traditional auction method as they are conducted online over a longer period of time – offering flexibility for both the buyer and the seller. The data from Lomond also shows that total completions for modern method auction sales are up 9.4% year-on-year.
Across the Lomond network, Yorkshire and Manchester have seen particularly notable increases in auction activity. In Q1 2026, Yorkshire saw the number of properties for sale via auction increase by 25% year-on-year. In Manchester, auction completions rose by 13.6% this year, compared to the previous year, representing how the residential sales market is moving decisively and reflecting the clear momentum returning to the market.
Paul Clarke, chief revenue officer for North West and Midlands at Lomond, said: “Auction sales are becoming an increasingly attractive option for vendors seeking greater speed and certainty. There’s been a misconception previously that auction sales are for properties that need serious renovations, but this is not always the case.
“As transaction timelines continue to lengthen across the wider housing market, auctions offer a route to a quicker, more secure sale, helping to explain the growing appetite we’re seeing across a number of our regional brands.”
