With several agent partner programmes available across the country, estate agents can often increase business by offering sales by auction, with a wide selection of properties selling under the gavel, including problem properties that struggle to attract buyers via private treaty sale, but would be perfect for investors in the auction room.

Joining forces with auctioneers to sell property not only enables agents to extend their property sales services, but also allows them to successfully sell more properties for their clients, and generate additional income in the process.

Auctions also presents a potentially good way to acquire and offload properties ahead of the stamp duty hike, which looms for buyers as the April deadline approaches.

NAVA Propertymark, in a  bid to promote its members and the services they offer, points out that buying and selling a home through auction typically avoids lengthy and uncertain buying procedures as standard which would help many people acquire property before the next financial tax year.

Stuart Collar-Brown, NAVA Propertymark president, said: “The winter season tends to be a quieter period for the housing market, but chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent Budget may spur many people on to sell their homes before the new stamp duty thresholds are introduced from April onwards.

“Propertymark’s Q2 2024 Auctions Barometer found that the auction sector is thriving, with 38% of NAVA Propertymark agents reporting increased lot numbers.

“It is also crucial that buyers and sellers new to the auctioning process are helped by a qualified agent who is knowledgeable about the latest legislative changes, which is why we encourage them to seek out Propertymark Protected auctioneers.”