Pictured above: Matt Hilton
NOTTINGHAM agent heb is celebrating after finding it is
officially the best-selling new auction house in the UK.
According to latest figures, of the 33 new auction houses which
set up in the UK in 2009, heb was the most successful topping the
list of auction sales. The firm achieved a massive £9.5
million in auction sales last year - its first ever year of
activity with the gavel.
The information was gathered nationally by independent body the
Essential Information Group (E I Group), which was set up in 1990
to provide the property industry with detailed information as to
the results of all London property auctions. It now covers the
whole of the UK and is recognised as the industry standard for
auction information and currently includes details on over 400,000
properties and over 35,000 lots each year worth in excess of
£5.6 billion
Matt Hilton, heb partner and head of auctions, said: "This is a
huge accolade for us, and testament to the hard work we have put
into our auctions division over the last 12 months. We were
absolutely delighted to hear that we headed the league table with
almost £10 million in sales - above some notable UK property
firms.
"Of the 33 new auction houses, only three were from the East
Midlands. heb is in good company - being listed with a variety of
companies with a proven track record in the property industry."
heb held its first auction in January 2009 at the Nottingham
Belfry. There were another three auctions in 2009. In 2010, heb has
another five auctions planned - with the first of the year kicking
off on 16 February.
Matt added: The number of properties being sold at auction
nationally is up this year as both buyers and sellers can see the
benefit of the method of sale, its quick, simple and in my
experience very effective.
"Since last summer, there has definitely been an improvement in
the market, the number of enquiries was up for our last sale.
For our February auction, we have carried out many more
viewings and have had a sharp increase in enquiries. The market is
definitely on the move again."
Buying a property at auction is fast emerging as a popular
method of buying property, with 21,000 homes going under the hammer
each year, says the E I Group.
Thousands of bargain hunters and professional investors are
turning to the UK's auction rooms to find their perfect property at
affordable prices.
Jade Willis of the E I Group said: "Buying at auction has become
a lot easier for both novice and professional investors, with the
number of properties being bought and sold at auction increasing by
60% since 1998. One of the main reasons for this is the internet,
which facilitates the whole process, giving potential buyers access
to information on lots for sale across the country in advance of
the auction. You can see a property you like, and own it within a
couple of weeks.
"We carry out very detailed research and put together this
auction information to benefit auctioneers and clients all over the
UK. This is a great achievement for heb. 2009 was a difficult year
for many property agents, and so this research is something they
should not take lightly."