"There’s been a shift in the culture because of the increasing use of online auctions, with a more diverse make-up of people buying property through this channel nowadays"
- Scott Hendry - Together
The UK property auction market is seeing rapid digital growth, with record numbers of sales taking place online, according to Greater Manchester-based property lender Together.
Data provided to the auction finance provider by Essential Information Group (EIG), which tracks the national market, shows that 33,448 auctions were conducted digitally in 2024, either livestreamed or online. By comparison, just 3,976 auctions took place in-room.
Momentum has continued this year. In the first six months of 2025, there were already 18,707 online auctions, setting the pace to surpass last year’s record. Before the Covid outbreak in 2019, fewer than 1,500 auctions were held online, with no livestreams at all.
Auction platforms such as Pugh, part of Eddisons Auction Group, report record engagement from both buyers and sellers. Supporters point to the transparency, speed and convenience of digital bidding as driving factors.
A livestream auction uses a broadcast feed of an event in real time, while online auctions are conducted entirely through digital platforms.
“There has been an astounding growth in online activity since Covid, making buying property at auctions more accessible for bidders who may not be physically in the room,” said Scott Hendry, director of auction finance at Together. “We’ve seen a 181% rise in our auction finance lending in 2024 compared to 2019, which really highlights what a success story auctions have been in a property market which has proved volatile in the past few years."
"There’s been a shift in the culture because of the increasing use of online auctions, with a more diverse make-up of people buying property through this channel nowadays. It was once only seasoned property buyers who would pitch up in an auction room, and this could be quite intimidating for anyone new to the room. Now the convenience of bidding online or at a livestreamed auction means that people such as younger first-time buyers or property investors and developers can take advantage of the digital transformation and bid on a par with experienced property professionals, which has undoubtedly re-shaped the market.”
Andy Thompson, director of Eddisons Auction Group, noted that livestreamed auctions were also drawing in international buyers. “Online and livestreamed auctions are transforming how people buy property, attracting everyone from first-time investors to established international buyers,” he said. “Innovations like virtual tours and AI-powered legal-pack summarisation are making the process clearer and more efficient, while the speed and certainty of the auction model continue to appeal across the market. This combination of technology and transparency is helping to build greater confidence among buyers and sellers alike, reinforcing auctions as one of the most dynamic and reliable routes to transact in today’s property market.”
David Sandeman, managing director at EIG, explained that auctions have shifted permanently to digital-first formats. “Since Covid, online and livestream auctions have gained popularity as the method of choice for auctioneers, sellers and buyers,” he said. “They are much easier for people to access because you don’t have to travel to a venue, and the bidding feels familiar – it is similar to bidding on eBay, which potential buyers have experience of and are comfortable with. On top of that, sales are happening far more frequently; instead of just a handful of big ballroom auctions each year, auctioneers are now running monthly livestreams and flexible online sales to suit the evolving needs of their vendors.”
