Not every property that struggles to sell on the open market has something wrong with it. Sometimes, the challenge is finding the right sales method.
That was exactly the situation facing the owners of 18 Park Lane, Hazlemere. After inheriting their family home, they needed to secure a sale before an approaching inheritance tax deadline. The property had already been marketed through a traditional estate agency with an asking price of £500,000, but despite its potential, it failed to attract meaningful interest.
A Property Full of Potential
The property itself offered everything many buyers look for. The 1930s semi-detached home featured three double bedrooms, a double-storey rear extension, a large garden with adjoining woodland, a private driveway, and a double garage with workshop.
With plenty of scope for refurbishment and modernization, it represented an excellent opportunity for buyers looking to create a long-term family home.
The issue was not the property. It was achieving the speed and certainty the sellers needed.
Why Auction Was the Right Choice
Following a referral from Tim Russ & Co, the sellers spoke with the team at First for Auctions to discuss their options.
Given the time sensitive nature of the sale, auction offered several key advantages:
- A fixed timescale
- Committed buyers.
- Immediate exchange of contracts upon sale
- Greater certainty throughout the transaction
A guide price of £365,000 was recommended, alongside a confidential reserve within 10% of the guide price, helping generate competitive interest while protecting the sellers’ expectations.
A Competitive Auction Result
The property was entered into auction on 30th June 2026, with marketing commencing four weeks beforehand.
The responses exceeded expectations.
The auction attracted:
- 155 bids
- 8 active bidders
- A final sale price of £502,000
- Immediate exchange of contracts
Not only did the property achieve an unconditional sale, but it also exceeded the previous £500,000 asking price that had been unsuccessful on the open market.
Most importantly, the sellers secured exactly what they needed: a fast, certain sale that met their deadline while delivering an outstanding result.
Read the Full Auction Success Story
Every property is different, and every seller’s circumstances are unique. Whether you are selling an inherited property, dealing with probate, working to a deadline, or simply looking for greater certainty, auction may offer an alternative to a traditional sale.
Download our full Auction in Action to explore the complete case study and discover how the right strategy helped turn an unsold property into a successful £502,000 sale.
