The residential auction market showed resilience in May 2025, with annual growth in both lots sold and total proceeds raised, despite a dip in monthly year-on-year activity, according to the latest data from Essential Information Group (EIG).

EIG’s recent update reveals that over the past year, residential auctions delivered impressive growth, with 7.2% more lots sold and a 15.1% increase in funds raised compared to the previous 12 months.

However, the figures for May 2025 show a slight retreat, underlining the ongoing impact of wider economic pressures. In May alone, 3,333 residential lots were offered, representing a 3% year-on-year decrease, while 2,294 lots sold, down by 8.3%.

The success rate for the month stood at 68.8%, with the total proceeds reaching £426.5 million, maintaining a steady level compared to May 2024.

Durable despite headwinds

Stuart Collar-Brown, NAVA Propertymark President, acknowledged the market’s durability despite economic headwinds: “It’s positive to see the overall number of lots offered remaining resilient when looking at month on month numbers for both the residential and commercial sector.

“Considering we have witnessed sizeable economic turbulence across the year so far, with elevated base rates and stamp duty threshold changes in April this year, it is little shock this has brought a negative effect on the number of lots sold at auction in May 2025.

“However, if we look at the wider picture and trend on a year-on-year basis for lots sold, the figures demonstrate incredible growth and confidence in the profession for residential and commercial properties delivering 7.2%. and 7.5% growth respectively.

“As sales for both residential and commercial properties continue to adapt to current economic factors, any monthly dip will hopefully prove only temporary, and momentum will again likely gather pace across the traditionally busy summer period.”

Looking ahead, auctioneers remain cautiously optimistic as the market moves into peak summer season, traditionally a time of heightened activity for residential auctions.

See the full report rom EIG here.