If you’re looking to sell quickly, maximise exposure and secure a committed buyer, auction can be a highly effective option - particularly in the Bracknell, Wokingham and wider Berkshire market. With a fixed timeline and clear completion date, auctions offer greater certainty and speed compared to a traditional sale.
For properties that may be less suited to the open market - whether due to condition, tenancy status or unique features - auction provides an alternative route, creating competition through transparent bidding and helping you achieve a strong result.
Speed: With a fixed auction date and time, contracts are exchanged as soon as the hammer falls, giving you a fast, legally binding sale.
Competitive Bidding: Auctions can attract several eager buyers, often driving the price higher and helping you achieve the best possible result.
Transparency: Every bid is made openly and in real time, so the entire process is clear and visible to all parties.
Certainty: Once the auction ends, the sale is final. There’s no back-and-forth negotiation or risk of the buyer changing their mind.
Efficiency: Completion can take place in as little as 20 working days, allowing you to move on quickly and confidently.
Step 1
Book a Valuation: Our experienced valuer will visit your property to provide a free, no-obligation valuation. They’ll outline the auction process, discuss timescales, and suggest an appropriate reserve price.
Step 2
Preparing for Auction: Once you give us the go-ahead, we’ll arrange professional marketing including photos, floor and site plans, an EPC, and set the auction date.
Step 3
The Legal Pack: With our guidance, you’ll instruct your solicitor to create a legal pack containing all essential conveyancing documents. This pack is made available to interested buyers ahead of the auction.
Step 4
Property Viewings: We organise and host viewings for registered bidders, who provide payment card details before they can take part.
Step 5
Auction Day: Bidding opens online and you can watch the progress in real time, including the number of bids and the highest offer. When the hammer falls, the winning bidder pays a deposit and contracts are exchanged.
Step 6
Completion: We liaise closely with both solicitors to ensure a smooth finish. Completion typically takes place within 4–6 weeks.
Auction is well suited if:
- You need a speedy sale with a clear, fixed completion date
- The property is tenanted, part of an investment portfolio, or non-standard in some way
- You want to create competition through open, transparent bidding
- You’re comfortable with the legally binding nature of auction once a bid is accepted
However, for some homes, a full marketing campaign with multiple viewings and negotiated offers may achieve a stronger result. We’ll guide you on the best approach for your property, your timescales and your priorities.
Ready to explore selling your property via auction in Bracknell, Wokingham or the surrounding areas? Get in touch and we’ll assess your property, explain how the process works, and guide you through the next steps - with no obligation and no pressure.
Book your free auction appraisal
How our auction process works
Frequently asked questions
Selling your property at auction is a simple and transparent process. We’ll begin with a free appraisal to confirm whether your home is suitable for auction. Once you decide to proceed, we help you set a realistic guide and reserve price, prepare the legal pack, and market your property across major platforms. On auction day, buyers place bids, and once the reserve is met, the sale is legally binding.
Auction is suitable for all types of property, but attracts strong demand for: tenanted or investment properties - homes in need of refurbishment - unique or non-standard properties - probate or repossessed homes. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a fast, certain sale without the risk of lengthy negotiations or fall-throughs.
From instruction to completion, most auction sales are completed within 6–8 weeks. Once the property is listed, marketing usually runs for around 3–4 weeks before auction day. After a successful bid, contracts are exchanged immediately, and completion typically follows within 28 days offering a clear and predictable timeline.
Auction fees are clear and agreed upfront. These include marketing, administration, and auction entry costs, often deducted from the sale proceeds on completion. There are no hidden fees, and you’ll receive a full breakdown before proceeding. We’ll also connect you with a specialist auction solicitor who offers fixed-fee legal support for preparing your auction pack.
If your property doesn’t reach the reserve price on auction day, we’ll review the level of interest, feedback, and bidding activity with you. Often, post-auction offers can still be agreed within days. We’ll discuss whether to re-enter the property into a future auction or market it through our Bracknell and Wokingham branches for private treaty sale.
Experts you can trust
Meet the Sears sales team
Oliver Hewitt
Director of Sales
Colin Sawford
Sales Manager
Harvey Williams
Sales Manager
Robert Franklin
Assistant Sales Manager
Lydia Oge
Assistant Sales Manager
Matt Reynolds
Senior Client Manager
Cameron Wakefield
Senior Sales Consultant
Aimee Charman
Sales Consultant
Emma McGilvray
Sales Consultant
Poppy Jones
Sales Consultant
Oliver Hewitt
Director of Sales
Colin Sawford
Sales Manager
Harvey Williams
Sales Manager
Robert Franklin
Assistant Sales Manager
Lydia Oge
Assistant Sales Manager
Matt Reynolds
Senior Client Manager
Cameron Wakefield
Senior Sales Consultant
Aimee Charman
Sales Consultant
Emma McGilvray
Sales Consultant
Poppy Jones
Sales Consultant
Real words, real reviews
What our clients say about us
“Sears we're great at booking in plenty of views for my house. Regular contact with feedback about the possible buyer and feedback following the view. Some support with negotiation and chasing up the person who made the offer too. Kept me updated as well. Cameron was our point of contact through most the process and was really helpful.”
Sarah Jackman
“My experience with Sears was very pleasant stress free, viewings was booked with ease and all questions I had was answered, Cameron Wakefield made my experience delightful and stress free would highly recommend! I would use Sears and hopefully Cameron again in the future!”
Lewis Bailey
“I have just come out of a difficult divorce and was looking to purchase a house for myself and my children. The thought of viewing properties on my own was a bit daunting for me. I first made contact with Sears Estate agents in Wokingham a few months ago and viewed two properties that they were marketing. I met Poppy at both viewings, she was warm, friendly, and professional as well as being very knowledgeable about the properties. Unfortunately, I did not have a buyer for my property so was unable to put in an offer or purchase with Sears. However, I was very impressed that Poppy and her colleague Amy, acknowledged my property search and contacted me recently about another suitable property, before it was marketed live on websites. They were very efficient in arranging a viewing for me promptly. I was met at the property by Alison, who was again, very warm, friendly, welcoming, patient and open to questions. After the viewing, I went to Sears estate agents office in Wokingham town centre, where I was met in a friendly manner and offered a hot drink, which was a nice touch. Poppy assisted me with the administration involved in putting an offer forward, as I had unfortunately left my glasses in my car! She was very helpful and patient and explained how the process of putting the offer forward to the vendor worked. I was very impressed with the office layout, clean lines, modern decor and comfortable chairs. I would like to mention that I was very impressed with my experience with Sears, Wokingham, the staff are excellent role models and ambassadors for Sears, keep up the good work. Allison Radcliffe 😀”
Allison
“Had the pleasure of being shown around by Aimee from the Wokingham office at a property answered all of my questions and was very helpful and knowledgeable of the house and local area”
Robert Cox
“I've used Sears for the last 15yrs and my go to is Rob, always efficient, excellent communication and always manages the process quickly. Highly recommended.”
Mike Hart
“Very professional service received by all parties from marketing to arranging viewings perfect team no question one of the best Estate Agents in the area highly recommend have used these agents several times whilst moving house and never had any issues five star first class”
Andrew Bolton
“All the team of property management are very good and professional, Thanks Jake Tippett for your help with sorting out the issue with the previous tenant, I really appreciate it and thanks to the all team.”
Baljit Dhamija
“We had a great experience with Sears Estate agents when buying our house in Wokingham. Hollie was a great help, patiently showing us around pretty much all of the properties they had listed and helping us figure out exactly what we wanted before we found the one we bought. Additionally, Matt the Sears Progressor was very effective in moving the chain forward and ensuring everything went as smoothly as buying a house can be. Overall, a really positive experience!”
Sam Birkbeck
“I had a great experience dealing with Keira Taylor at Sears Property in Wokingham. She was incredibly professional and helpful. Thank you!”
V B
“We recently moved into our new rented home and had a great experience with Sears Services. Our agent, Andrew, was extremely helpful and responsive. Whenever we had questions about paperwork or the property, he answered quickly and clearly. Andrew made the whole process smooth and stress-free. We are very happy with the service and highly recommend Sears Services!”
Arya Yasodharan
Sell your property with confidence
Book your free valuation today to find out if auction is the right choice for your property.