Online Auction Index: Q3 2025

Consumer Viewpoint

How are buyers and sellers feeling about Auction in Q3 2025? 

Speculation around Stamp Duty and other property taxes is building ahead of the Chancellor’s 26th November Budget, leaving many movers on the edge of their seat. Will the Government really push things that far? Only time will tell but, one thing is certain, big change brings uncertainty. Whether that’s a stall while the market waits for tax reform or a surge to beat changes ahead of 1st April shifts, agents need to stay ahead of the competition to make the most of every challenge or opportunity.  The last major SDLT changes triggered an increase in Auction activity, as movers turned to Auction for speed and certainty to complete before the reforms took effect. 

Consumer Viewpoint

Upfront information builds confidence 

Our latest iamproperty survey found four in five buyers and sellers (80%) value how upfront Material Information reduces fall-throughs, with the same number saying it builds transparency and trust between parties. 83% believe it gives buyers fuller knowledge, while 68% of sellers feel positive about providing documentation early in the process. 

For Partner Agents, this insight reinforces just how important transparency has become. By offering upfront Material Information, agents are not only meeting compliance requirements but delivering what consumers clearly want – a more open and reliable transaction from start to finish.  

Consumer Viewpoint

What matters most to movers 

When asked what they value most in the home moving process, the results were clear: 

• 93% prioritise commitment from the other party 

• 90% want certainty that the sale will go ahead 

• 89% value better communication between parties 

• 88% want the process to be simple and easy to understand 

• 87% want a faster process 

• 84% place importance on minimising stress 

• 79% want more control 

These findings underline why the Modern Methods of Auction (MMoA) is resonating so strongly. Auction provides the clarity, speed and structure that align directly with consumer priorities. 

Certainty and speed drive Auction appeal

For those familiar with the MMoA, the benefits are even clearer. 77% said they value the certainty auction provides, while 74% highlighted its higher completion rates compared with Private Treaty sales. With 56-day completion timescales and mortgage eligibility built in, MMoA gives buyers and sellers a trusted alternative to traditional sales and lengthy, uncertain transactions. 

Online auction has firmly established itself as the preferred modern route to market. In 2024, over 1% of all property sales in the UK were sold via online Auction at iamsold, a figure that continues to climb. This growth reflects a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour: in an uncertain market, transparency, speed and certainty win every time.