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.

Real words, real reviews

What our clients say about us

4.9/5 Customer rating

Rating

Sears have been an incredible help throughout our search for a new property. I can't thank Kiera, Andy, and Jess enough for their patience, support, and dedication in helping us find the perfect home. Moving to a new area can be overwhelming and daunting, but they made the entire process so much easier. They were always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and support us every step of the way. Thank you, Kiera, Andy, and Jess, for your outstanding service and for making what could have been a stressful experience such a positive one. I would highly recommend Sears to anyone looking for a property!

Nelum Fiodorov

1 month ago

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

1 month ago

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

1 month ago

Exceptional service and outstanding communication from Sears especially Matt Reynolds who assisted with the sale of shared ownership property. It has been a pleasure to deal with such a kind, professional and honest estate agent. Always communicating clearly and efficiently, keeping me updated all the time and chasing when needed. I can highly recommend! Thank you Matt!

Petra Malyjurkova

1 month ago

Poppy is a lovely estate agent who helped me find my first home, greatly appreciated and will go for their help again in the future.

andrew nash

1 month ago

At Estate Services we provide end of tenancy cleaning and property management services and it is always a pleasure to work with Jake at Sears. Jake is approachable, friendly, and genuinely easy to deal with, which makes a real difference in this industry. What I appreciate most is his honest, no nonsense approach and the way he gets things done efficiently without overcomplicating matters. Communication is always straightforward, and you always know where you stand with him. It is refreshing to work with someone who values good working relationships and treats people with respect. I would highly recommend Jake to any potential landlord and look forward to continuing to provide services to him and his team in the future. Thank you!

Nikki Surtees

2 months ago

The entire Sears team, especially Jessica, Keira, and Freddie, have been absolutely excellent from minute one. From the initial viewing right the way through to contract signings, arranging the inventory, and to payments, the team were always on-hand to assist in any way possible, whilst ensuring replies were prompt and clear. As someone who rented for 6 years in a previous property, I felt like a renting newbie again! But Sears have been a faultless, reassuring partner throughout.

Theo Tsangaris

2 months ago

Working with Poppy in the Sears team has been an absolute pleasure, communication is clear and frequent, next actions have always been addressed - we've been kept in the loop throughout our process so far. Poppy's personal approach is the reason why we have felt confidence in our buying process and we look forward to getting over the line in the coming months.

Ben

2 months ago

I cannot thank Emma and Rob at Sears enough! We had super tight deadlines to sell our home and if it wasn’t for them it wouldn’t have been achieved and we wouldn’t have had our offer accepted on our purchase. Our property was live and on Rightmove in less than a week. I had six viewings the first day, and a further three the day after. It sold within 48 hours. Professional, knowledgeable, prompt and highly commendable. Just wow - thank you!!!!

Kathryn Louise

2 months ago

Poppy at Sears has been excellent in the sale of my property. She is friendly, knowledgeable and has the highest levels of integrity. She spends time understanding the Seller and Purchasers needs….building a strong basis of trust right from the get go.

NIGEL NELMS

2 months ago