Category Archives: Auctions

Why you should sell your home at Auction by Dawsons

The benefit of choosing to sell by Traditional Auction

Here is an example of why Auction can be the best method of sale if you are looking for fast, secure results.

21 Brookville Road was brought to the market in March 2019 in readiness for our last auction on April 17th.

The vendors chose auction as they wanted a quick sale, it was a rental property for themselves and the property had deteriorated over the last couple of years.  Instead of spending a lot of money on a revamp of the house, they made the decision to sell it in a pretty run-down condition.

We began marketing the property and within 3-weeks we received an offer, at first the offer wasn’t quite what the vendors were looking for, however, thanks to our awesome auction negotiators a deal was agreed and both purchaser and vendor were really happy.

Even though the vendors accepted a pre-auction offer, it remained under auction conditions of an immediate exchange and completion to happen in 28 days. The property completed on the 18th of April a day after it was meant to go to the auction room, the whole process took 8 weeks from start to finish.

If you have a surplus property that is playing on your mind please let our Auction Department take your stress away give a call on 01792 478904 for your free valuation.

Dawsons Auction Going Going GONE!

Our Auction Listings are here

Dawsons Property Auctions Swansea

Top tips on what to do before bidding at Auction

It is so important to do your due diligence before you take the plunge and bid at an auction, so here are some top tips from our Auction Company EIG:

When considering purchasing a particular property at auction it is essential that you prepare by doing your due diligence research in advance. It is your responsibility to be completely satisfied with the property before the auction so you can make an educated decision whether to bid for the property or not and what your maximum bid would be.

Doing your due diligence includes:

  • Viewing the property
  • Ascertaining the likely sale price
  • Reading the legal pack

Then, if it is a property you wish to pursue it is prudent to:

  • Instruct a property survey
  • Ask your solicitor to review the legal pack
  • Viewing a property

It is important to view every property you are interested in prior to the auction.  Contact the auctioneer to arrange the viewing which may be arranged as fixed time slots for group viewings (open house viewings) or individually arranged.

It may be useful at this point to bring an experienced builder or knowledgeable friend with you to the property who can spot any potential problems that would need to be included in your financial calculations or may mean the property is no longer of interest to you.

When looking at buying any property it is advisable to view it at least twice, during the daytime and at night which may be just a ‘drive by’ viewing.  The plans and photographs published in the catalogue are there to aid identification of the property only, the plans may not be to scale so you need to verify them.

What to take to a property viewing:

  • Camera
  • Tape measure (preferably a laser as much quicker especially if viewing is busy)
  • Notepad or iPad
  • Torch
  • Binoculars (to check roof, gutter and chimney)
  • Portable ladder (to access loft space)
  • Suitable footwear (you may need to climb!)
  • Contact details of the auctioneer and research notes for further investigation in the area e.g. an unidentified building(Important #: Don’t forget to follow up and ask questions that arise from the viewing)

Points to evaluate:

  • Leasehold or freehold property, any additional ground rent or service charges?
  • Parking, garden, access and property boundaries?
  • Neighbours, traffic and noise?
  • Nearest shops and public transport?
  • Heating, insulation, plumbing, electrics?
  • Council tax band, energy efficiency rating?
  • Any structural issues or recent extensions?
  • Vacant or tenanted and history of the property?

Viewing in an unfamiliar area?

If an area is new to you, speak to the auctioneer and ask as many questions as you can.  It is also advisable to look online at crime sites, google the address and street, using some of the best online platforms, for example:

  • www.checkmystreet.co.uk – average rentals
  • www.streetcheck.co.uk – nearest schools
  • www.checkmyarea.com – area profile
  • www.police.uk – crime rate
  • www.rightmove.co.uk – for rental and sales prices
  • www.gov.uk/find-government-property – find government owned property
  • www.gov.uk/private-renting – private renting

Still interested?

If you decide that you are still interested in the property after viewing it, then now is the time to contact your solicitor and arrange a property survey in advance of the auction.

Dawsons Auctions powered by the Essential Information Group

Article Written By Beth Fox

 

 

See what is coming up for sale in this week’s Swansea Auction by clicking here

https://www.dawsonsproperty.co.uk/auctions.php

The Marriott Hotel, Swansea Marina
Wednesday 27th February 2019
Start time – 3pm

Dawsons auction room 2018

Should you consider putting your home up for Auction?

No longer just a domain for investors, developers and property traders, the auction room is now the preferred option of buying and selling property for a number of people looking for a fast and secure method of sale.

The beauty of the Auction Room is that there is no chain and the buyer commits legally on the fall of the gavel with an exchange of contracts secured by a 10% non-returnable deposit.  So auction sales remove the stresses and uncertainty of ‘subject to contract’ transactions, ensuring that estate agents who market property through this method can speed up the process and eliminate the risks of ‘gazumping and gazundering’.

When you consider the time it takes to sell a home by traditional methods, it is easy to see the appeal:

  • Property listed to offer accepted: 10 weeks
  • Offer accepted to searches ordered: 36 days
  • Mortgage arrangement: 3-6 weeks
  • Searches to an exchange of contracts: 58 days
  • Exchange of contracts to completion: 0-28 days

(Data:  View My Chain)

The residential property auction market saw a significant increase in both the number of lots offered for sale and lots sold in 2018, as a high number of people continue to turn to auctions as a means of buying and selling property, fresh data shows.

It is clear to see the benefit of having a sales transaction under-offer and completed in a month, when you compare it to the average time it takes for a property to go ‘under offer’ in Swansea (100 days on average)!

Average time for a house to go under offer

According to the latest figures for October released by the Essential Information Group (EIG), with whom the Dawsons Auction Team work, there was a sharp double-digit increase in both the volume of lots offered and lots sold for the month, up 26% and 38% respectively.

The total amount of money raised by the group rose by just over 51% to £298 million.  “Further increases are evident throughout the rolling quarterly and yearly figures, demonstrating an ever-strengthening market with growing numbers of buyers and sellers choosing auctions as a viable route to market,” said David Sandeman, Managing Director at EIG.

Speaking with Callum Thomas, our Auction Sales Negotiator, the Nationwide statistics fro EIG mirror those from the 5 Dawsons auctions during 2018.  Callum says “we have always had a strong Auction market in South Wales and in 2018 we had an average of 19 properties listed at each event, but we have seen a real change in our audience.  We have had a significant increase in ‘auction newbies’ attending, especially from further-afield areas, like London & Bristol.  It would appear that many people are looking at investments in our location, whether it be buy-to-let, flips, pension plan or putting their kids on the market.  We are really delighted to announce that we’ve been able to sell 91.3% of our listed stock at Auction, this is much higher than the National average for property listed in the traditional manner, which is 65% (77% for Dawsons traditional sales properties).”

“With regards to pricing, the Auction medium is still being used for more ‘run-down’ properties or those with development potential.  Hence, the average sale price at Auction for Dawsons in 2018 stands at £99,981 (price does not include pre / post-auction sales).  That said, it is an increase on 2017 figures and there is definitely a shift happening, with more family homes or more traditional property being listed.”

Compare this with the traditional (non-Auction) sales in County of Swansea 2018, you will see that there is a distinct gap still, but one which is being closed and is likely to close further during 2019.

  • Semi-detached properties averaged £158,142.
  • Terraced properties averaged £123,044
  • Detached properties averaged £276,469.

This was similar in terms of sold prices to nearby Bridgend (£166,620) but was more expensive than Neath Port Talbot (£125,157) and Rhondda Cynon Taff (£124,686). The most expensive area within Swansea was Rhossili (£800,000) and the cheapest was Brynhyfryd (£99,695).

In the past year house prices in County of Swansea were 4% up on the year before and 4% up on 2016 prices, when they averaged at £166,648.

Taking in the areas from where we’ve seen a marked increase of auction buyers coming, it may suggest that Swansea is an area of particular interest to property developers or investors looking for rental properties:

LONDON

Most of the sales in Central London over the past year were flats which on average sold for £1,565,096. Terraced properties had an average sold price of £3,379,980 and detached properties averaged at £3,000,000.

  • Central London averaged £1,691,247
  • West London averaged £1,244,006
  • South West London averaged £743,632
  • North London averaged £714,095

BRISTOL

Last year most property sales in Bristol (County) involved terraced properties which sold for on average £317,913. Flats sold for an average price of £252,766, while semi-detached properties fetched £350,286.

  • Bristol (County) averaged £315,338
  • Gloucestershire averaged £300,133
  • Somerset averaged £292,947
  • Wiltshire averaged £289,584

During the last year, sold prices in Bristol (County) were 5% up on the previous year and 11% up on 2016 when the average house price was £285,126.

If you would like to speak to someone about the Auction process, and whether it would be beneficial to your property, or if you are interested in attending our next auction (Wed 27th February3pm) then read on or call us on 01792 478903 or 01792 478904.

DawsonsBurryPortRaftRace2018

Monthly Round-up

Community News: Rugby & Rafts

Our Llanelli and Mumbles branches along with our marketing team have been busy during August with sponsoring two prestigious local events: the 2nd annual Burry Port Raft Race and the 30th annual Crackers 7’s rugby tournament.  

Earlier in the month our Llanelli office took to the water in the raft race while the marketing team manned the guess the balloons car, and even though the event had to be postponed from the Saturday to the Sunday due to poor weather conditions, there was a fantastic turn out for the day with all proceeds raised going to the RNLI and Afia Banjul Football Academy.

Crackers 7's Dawsons SponsorshipFurther into the month our staff and customers enjoyed a Bank Holiday Sunday full of rugby, family entertainment, a new bar and an evening of music.  For some years now Dawsons have sponsored the Crackers 7’s, bank holiday event in Underhill Park, hosting a hospitality tent, Hog Roast and some great company with a pitchside view of the day.  The sun has shone for many years, but this year the rain certainly didn’t dampen the spirits.

If you are looking for sponsorship for 2019, please get in touch with Naomi from our marketing team by email:

naomi.webborn@dawsonsproperty.co.uk.

Industry News: Want a better mortgage deal?  

As many of us will now know on August 2nd the Bank of England raised the base rate from 0.5% to 0.75% – only the second rise in over a decade

Dawsons mortgage advisors 2018The base rate is the Bank of England’s official borrowing rate – i.e., what it charges other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and it influences what borrowers pay and savers earn.

What does this mean in real terms to those of us who currently have a mortgage and those looking to get on the property ladder and take out their first mortgage?

For current homeowners with a mortgage now is the time to check the status of your current mortgage, if you are linked to base rate you can look to re-mortgage to a fixed deal.

If you are a first-time buyer you will now benefit from some great deals on offer, our in-house mortgage advisors can offer deals fixed for 2 or 5 years with rates starting from 1.89% on a 90% LTV and 3.17% on a 95% LTV.

Despite this slight increase all is still positive within the property market, current mortgage lenders will no doubt continue to offer very good fixed deals, for further information contact your nearest Dawsons team and book your appointment now with one of our Mortgage Advisors.

Our in-house mortgage advisors are: James Boland, David Treharne and Shaun Sturgess

“Top Tips” for Buyers & Tenants

CHOOSING THE RIGHT AREA

View from new Mumbles development
View from new Mumbles development

Local amenities, schools and transport links can be the top priority when choosing your perfect location. Make a list of your specific requirements. Speak to a member of staff, who will be able to offer local advice and suggest the right area for your needs.

All of our branches listed here

AUCTION NEWS

Dawsons Auction Swansea Oct 2018

Seafront properties, funeral directors to executive apartments, we have it all this Auction! Block viewings are underway and registrations are open for our next auction which will take place at the Marriot Hotel Swansea on Wednesday 3rd October 2018 at 3pm.  

Get in touch today on 01792 646060.

RELOCATING?  

Relocation Agent Network

Sam Partner achieved her Relocation Agent Network accreditation this month, so our Llanelli sales team are now ALL fully accredited agents, alongside Danielle Thomas, sales administrator within our Mumbles office.  So if you need to relocate and are considering moving to or from the Swansea area, make sure you speak to the Dawsons team who are the exclusive RAN agents for this area.

Read more about our relocation service here:

FOR A DOWNLOAD OF OUR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER,

CLICK THIS LINK

Rotherslade beach hut

Rare beach hut lot to go under hammer at Dawsons’ auction

Dawsons is delighted to be handling a beach hut at Rotherslade which is to go up for auction in June  with a guide price of £20,000. 

It is situated on one of Gower’s most popular beaches and is just a shot walk away from Langland Bay, which itself is famous for its row of beach huts overlooking the beach. 

The timber-constructed hut is privately owned and it is rare that something like this comes on to the market. 

Chris Hope, Senior Partner at Dawsons, said: “Unique is a word that is overused, but this is a slice of history. The pitches in Langland started to be built in the 1860s, and were built up in the 1920s. 

“But they really came into their own in the 1950s, when families would go down to the beach huts to enjoy a day at the seaside. 

“I can’t remember the last time one of these came onto the market, and I believe the owner has no family to pass it down to. 

“I am sure there will be interest from all over the UK, with perhaps the greatest interest from people living in or with a connection to Swansea or South Wales. 

“We are hopeful with the reserve, but it will get what it will get. I’m sure the bidding will be busy.” 

The beach hut will go under the hammer at Dawsons’ next auction at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea on Wednesday, June 13. 

NEW STARTERS

Dawsons expanding staffing levels in readiness for 2018

While many businesses wind down at the end of the year, Dawsons have been increasing their staffing levels in readiness for another busy New Year.  With more than 13 sales and lettings branches throughout Swansea and Llanelli, Dawsons were looking to recruit staff for several new roles within the company which will bring their staffing levels to more than 120.

Dawsons are a locally-owned business, established in 1991 with many years’ experience in the field of Residential and Commercial Property Sales and Rentals, together with their highly successful Auction Department,  Land and New Homes, Survey, Financial Services and Fine and Country Departments.  2017 proved to be another very successful, busy year with the acquisition of a smaller local letting agent and to top it off winning the Relocation Agent,  Best Agent Regional Winner 2017.

The new staff (pictured above) were all employed in the last quarter of the year and are spread throughout the company covering several different roles from Administrators, Sales and Lettings Negotiators, Inspectors to Mortgage Advisers,. They bring  with them a diverse wealth of knowledge and experience within their field.

Dawsons Sales Director Jo Summerfield said: “We strive to employ the highest, quality staff to ensure we uphold Dawsons core value in delivering excellence.  Customer service is key to our hugely successful operation, therefore maintaining, year on year our No 1 position of independent agents.”

Tim Kostromin, Partner at  Dawsons, said: “We invest in invaluable external and internal training for all our staff thereby ensuring their career development within Dawsons and equally rewarding them for always going that ‘extra mile’, our Rateragent reviews are testament to this.  Staff moral is critical to a successful business as they are the fore front of all we do.”

Chris Hope, Senior Partner, added: “Helping to support our local economy whilst providing a much needed service for those living in the area is a key factor in our business.”

Dawsons’ marketing team came up with a great initiative for 2017  in supporting local businesses in the use of their Reward Card, which has proved to be a huge success, so much so, Dawsons have received a flood of enquiries from other local business’s as to how they become involved in our Reward scheme.

With charitable organisations also being at the forefront of Dawsons’ priorities, already foundations have been laid for many planned fundraising events……….2018 is looking to be another exciting year for all those involved in the company.

Dawsons hand over cheque to Wales Air Ambulance

Dawsons hand over cheque to Welsh Air Ambulance after charity abseil

Dawsons staff are delighted to have handed over a cheque for £1,314.98 to the Welsh Air Ambulance following a charity fundraising abseil.

The team of staff from the sales, auction and lettings departments abseiled down a 200ft cliff at Port Eynon on Gower.

Jo Summerfield, Director of Sales at Dawsons, said: “Wales Air Ambulance is a fantastic charity saving lives daily in Wales and transporting those in need to hospitals all over the country.

“We were very keen and pleased to be able to raise as much as possible especially as WAA runs purely on donations.”

Steffan Anderson-Thomas, WAA’s Community Fundraising Co-coordinator, said: “We are extremely grateful to the intrepid staff from Dawsons for their very generous cheque following their abseil.

“With the money they have generously donated Dawsons has funded a mission for one of our helicopters and the money will also go towards funding life-saving equipment and crew.”

Naomi Webborn, from Dawsons lettings department, said: “A big thank you goes to all those who took part and those who sponsored us and especially to the very kind donations from JCP solicitors, Keith Norris of Noble Harbour, Graham Kirby of Benson Watkins, Andrew Davies of Peter Lyn & Partners, Eastside Insurance and Exall & Jones builders merchants.”

PICTURE CAPTION: L-R Andy Iceton, WAA Pilot, Hannah Hearn, Dawsons, Kelly Israel, Dawsons, Corey Ashford, Dawsons, Dewi Thomas, WAA Helicopter Transfer Practioner, Callum Thomas, Dawsons, Amanda Bamford, Dawsons, Naomi Webborn, Dawsons, Natalie Dare, Dawsons, Ben Seabourne, Critical Care Practioner.

 

Dawsons staff's charity abseil at Port Eynon

Dawsons staff tackle 200ft Port Eynon cliff face for Wales Air Ambulance

A group of intrepid Dawsons staff have taken part in a charity abseil to raise much-needed funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.

The team from the sales, auction and lettings staff took to abseiling down a 200 foot cliff at Port Eynon on Gower. They then climbed back up around the cliff edge with the aim of raising around £1000.00 via their Just Giving page.

Jo Summerfield, Director of Sales at Dawsons, said; “At Dawsons we are keen to help local charities throughout the year, fundraising where we can.  Wales Air Ambulance is a fantastic charity saving lives daily in Wales and transporting those in need to hospitals all over the country.

“As the Wales Air Ambulance charity runs purely on donations we were keen to raise as much as possible. Special thanks also to Naomi Webborn who heads our marketing team that collectively got this great charity event off the ground.

“We were all a little scared getting over the cliff face but once we were over, enjoyed every minute. I can’t wait to see what our marketing team come up with next time.”

Naomi Webborn of Dawsons lettings department, said: “A fantastic time was had by all. In fact, it was a great team bonding session with the added bonus of raising the much need funds to keep the ambulance flying year on year.

“A big thank you goes to all those who sponsored us, and a special thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance media team who came to cheer us on at the cliff top along with Stephen and Sam of Dynamic Rock who kept us safe.”

Shorelands in Penmaen, Gower

Dawsons Auction lot: Shorelands in Penmaen, Gower

Here’s a sneak preview of one of Dawsons’ lots ahead of our next auction at the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, October 4 at 3pm.

The video is of an impressive lot: Shorelands situated in Penmaen, Gower with a guide price of £450,000. The property, which is a three-bedroom detached, benefits from stunning views across from Three Cliffs Bay to Oxwich Bay.

Dawsons believe the true market value of the property is between £600,000 to £650,000.

Dawsons' auction at the Marriott Hotel

Going, going… all gone – Dawsons enjoy 100 per cent success at auction

To buy or sell at an auction is proving a popular choice among Swansea property owners as was proved at Dawsons Property’s latest event.

To mark the half year position with a bang, Dawsons’ recent auction was a complete sell out, with 100 per cent of the available stock being purchased, which included a Grade Two listed church and a large run down Manor House in Mayals.

A modern auction is great for people looking for unusual properties and they have become increasingly popular with buyers who want to avoid the traditional house buying chain.

One of the main lots at the auction was St Paul’s Church in Plasmarl.

Dawsons Sales Negotiator Corey Ashford said: “St Paul’s Church was quite an unusual and quirky lot – not a lot of Grade II churches come up in the area.  We set the guide price at £75,000 and were absolutely thrilled to see if reach £90,000 on the day”

Property auctions are in vogue and are becoming an increasingly popular avenue for buyers and sellers and are fast catching up with the more conventional ‘private treaty’ route for homeowners.

This was proved at their recent event when many of the lots under the hammer went for considerably more than their guide price “In fact, two of the auction lots – 2-3 Llewellyn Circle and 30 Parkway both went for twice their guide price.

Dawsons Senior Partner Chris Hope insists: “Nowadays it’s a successful way of selling properties and getting the full price the market will pay. It is not all about a property which is battered and bruised, which no-one wants to buy “a property auction provides a rich variety of property types.”

Dawsons’ auction department has sold 94 per cent of the properties they have marketed so far in 2017. With an ever growing team, the auction department is thriving. Having had three auctions under the hammer so far, 2017 looks to be Dawsons’ greatest year to date for the team.