The UK property auction sector is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history, as the traditional in-room auction continues to decline and digital platforms take centre stage.

According to the latest Q2 2025 Property Auction Insights from Essential Information Group (EIG), over half of all auction sales were made online in 2024 – a sharp contrast to the 11% of sales facilitated in the auction room.

To put it into perspective, in-room sales dominated the landscape a decade ago, while online auctions were virtually non-existent. This dominance held until 2019, but the trend shifted dramatically in 2020 with, of course, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and online formats have shown sustained growth.

Sale by auction method

This highlights the accelerating shift toward remote bidding and virtual sale environments and reflects both the maturity of digital platforms and the shift in buyer behaviour towards convenience and flexibility.

Over a third still value the structure of an auctioneer-led event, however, with livestream-only auctions accounting for 37% of sales.

Expanding auction appeal by contract type

In parallel, the market has witnessed a notable rise in conditional auctions, bridging the gap between the speed of auction sales and the flexibility of traditional private treaty transactions. Conditional auctions, sometimes known as “modern method” sales, offer successful bidders an exclusivity period, typically 28 days, to complete due diligence, secure finance, and finalise contracts.

This hybrid approach has opened auctions to a wider pool of buyers, particularly owner-occupiers, first-time buyers, and those who may struggle with the immediate exchange requirements of unconditional sales.

Auction sales by contract type

Conditional auctions have steadily gained market share, quadrupling between 2015 and 2024, as both sellers and buyers recognise their appeal, providing more certainty than private treaty but with less pressure than conventional auctions.

Decade of digital transformation

The timeline of technological milestones highlights the industry’s ongoing digital transformation, starting in 1998 with the launch of in-room auction software, to the rollout of Online Auction Widget in 2020 and artificial intelligence.

“As these insights illustrate, the evolution of the property auction industry has been nothing short of remarkable,” commented David Leary, Director at EIG. “While I have been fortunate enough to play a hands-on role in developing many of the technologies that now underpin the auction sector, none of it would have been possible without the insight, collaboration, and dedication of colleagues both past and present.

He added: “Looking ahead, the foundations laid over the past decade will serve us well as we navigate the next chapter, it is one shaped by data, flexibility and continued innovation. I hope this report not only offers a useful lens on where we are now but also inspires confidence in where we are heading next.”