A Guide to Buying at Auction
Download printable versionIntroduction
Details of the properties and land to be sold are set out in this catalogue. All lots are sold subject to general conditions of sale (see back of catalogue). It is most important that purchasers satisfy themselves as to the availability, location, boundaries, conditions and state of all lots prior to the Auction.
Viewing
It is essential that you view the properties which interest you as soon as possible. Viewing arrangements for each lot are contained in this catalogue. Block viewings for all properties will be at specific times. Buyers arriving late at a confirmed appointment may have only a limited viewing time.
Legal Documentation
There are special conditions and general conditions that apply to all lots being offered at Auction. A copy of these will be available within the legal pack for each lot, a copy of which, will be posted to the website within 10 days of the auction. Copies will also be available to inspect at the legal days that South West Water have organised, information of which can be found on the proceeding page.
Instructing a Solictor
Before bidding at the Auction, it is advisable to consult a solicitor/licensed conveyancer to advise you on the general and special conditions of sale, any searches that may be necessary, the Land Registry Office copy entries and any other information provided.
Guide Prices
These are not quoted in the catalogue but available from the agency/office concerned, nearer the time of the auction. A guide price may change at any time. Lots may be sold at above or below the guide price and we cannot accept responsibility for their accuracy.
Reserve Prices
All lots, unless stated in the catalogue, are subject to a Reserve price. This is the minimum price at which the seller has authorised the Auctioneer to sell. Bidding must reach or exceed the reserve price for the Auctioneer to be able to sell. The reserve price is confidential. It is set by the seller in consultation with the Auctioneer prior to the Auction and may be subject to change right up to the start of the Auction. The auctioneer reserves the right to accept bids from the vendor up to and including the reserve value.
Pre-Auction Offers
Offers must be in writing and will only be considered if the lot has been viewed and the legal documentation inspected. Pre-auction bids are on the basis of an immediate exchange of auction contracts upon acceptance by the seller.
Any offer will be assumed to be your best and final offer and we cannot guarantee that you will be invited to increase your bid in the event of an alternative, satisfactory offer being received prior to exchange.
Our clients have agreed that only preauction offers substantially above the top guide price need to be submitted.
Finance & Mortgages
It is essential to arrange finance prior to the Auction and for all surveys, valuations and inspection to take place before the bidding.
Unable to Attend
If it is impossible for you to attend the Auction there are two ways in which you can bid. Firstly, you can appoint a representative or a solicitor to bid for you, and it is always advisable to write and inform the Auctioneer. Also give your representative a letter confirming that they are bidding on your behalf. Secondly, you can submit a proxy bid.
Proxy Bids
If you want to bid by proxy on the day of the Auction we are more than happy for you to do so. We must be holding a signed contract and deposit cheque at least 48 hours before the Auction. Therefore please contact us in plenty of time to avoid TO BUYING AT AUCTION A GUIDE disappointment. All successful buyers under this scheme will be required to pay the auction administration fee of £250.00 (inclusive of VAT) on each lot.
Please contact Bradleys Auction Department for a proxy bid registration form or use the one shown on www. bradleys-auction.tv or in this brochure on the following page.
Registering at Auction & Means of Identification
You must register before the auction starts at the registration desk at the auction venue. The successful bidder is required to provide two forms of identification (see registration form). Please note that it is a requirement that you also provide documentation to confirm your name and residential address.
Bidding at Auction
If you have not bid at an Auction before, it is advisable to be present when the Auction starts, listen to the Auctioneer’s opening remarks and follow the bidding in the early lots. The Auctioneer will indicate from whom the bid has been taken but it is helpful to the Auctioneer for you to raise your hand or bidding card number clearly when you bid. If the Auctioneer is in doubt whether the movement of a head or hand was in fact a bid, he will usually enquire “Was that a bid Sir/Madam?” If you are the successful bidder, a binding contract is entered into between the seller and the bidder on the fall of the Auctioneer’s gavel. You will then be approached by a member of the auction staff who will escort you to the sales desk. At this point a deposit payment is required, the sum of 10% of the sale price or the minimum deposit of £500 is handed to the seller’s solicitor. The seller’s solicitor will then prepare the contracts. THESE MUST BE SIGNED by the purchaser BEFORE LEAVING THE AUCTION ROO M. Except where the special conditions of sale state otherwise all cheques/drafts should be made payable to South West Water.
Deposits
Purchasers are reminded that at the fall of the Auctioneer’s gavel a deposit of 10% (minimum £500) per property shall be payable, by way of BANKERS DRAFT, BUILDING SOCIETY CHEQUE or PERSONAL CHEQUE. All Drafts/Cheques should be made payable to South West Water. CASH AND CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. We suggest you obtain a draft for 10% (or £500) of your maximum bid price (minimum £500) and bring it with you to the auction. If you purchase for less, the difference will be deducted from your ‘balance’ figure on completion. Any shortfall (subject to the Auctioneer’s discretion) can be paid by Personal/Company Cheque.
Insurance
The successful bidder is responsible for the property and for its insurance at the fall of the gavel when contracts are entered into.
Completion Day
Completion normally takes place 28 days after the date that contracts are exchanged, unless other arrangements are specified in the Special Conditions of Sale or Standard Conditions of Sale. It is advisable to check this prior to the auction day.
Unsold Lots
Properties can be sold before, during and AFTER the Auction. After the Auction you can submit an offer to the Auctioneers for an unsold lot and the vendor’s decision will be requested. If the offer is accepted the sale then proceeds according to normal Auction practice, even if the sale is agreed after the Auction day.
Warning
On or just before the Auction day check with the Auction Department that the lots you are interested in are still available.
And Finally...
If we have not answered all your questions, or if you are confused about any Auction matter, no matter how trivial, then please contact the relevant Auction Departments by telephone or email.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
to be read by all purchasers.
1. The seller has the right to sell before auction or withdraw the lot and neither the auctioneer nor vendor is responsible for any abortive costs, losses or damages in respect of prospective sales. Purchaser information as to the pre-sale or withdrawal of a lot can be obtained from enquiry with the auctioneers at any time prior to the auction but is valid only up until the time of enquiry.
2. Prospective purchasers are strongly advised to check these particulars as to measurements, areas and all other matters to which the properties are expressed, to be subject, or have the benefit of, in respect of any contents, fixtures or fittings to be included in any sale, an inspection of the property and all the necessary enquiries with the seller’s solicitors and/ or other appropriate authorities. All measurements and areas referred to in these particulars are approximate only.
3. All location plans and ordnance survey plans published in the particulars of sale are to enable prospective purchasers to locate the property only. Plans are photographically reproduced and are therefore not to scale, but for identification purposes only. The boundary lines and numbers on the photographs are only to enable prospective purchasers to locate the property. Purchasers are advised to view the special conditions in respect of the precise interest to be conveyed with each lot.
4. As and when guide prices, estimates or values are provided the prospective purchaser should not rely solely on any such statement or guide price, estimate or value, and should seek professional advice on any such statement. 5.
5.Prospective purchasers should always check any addenda sheets to see if there are any alterations or amendments to the particulars of the property or properties that they are interested in bidding for. These will be available in the auction room or at the registration desk.