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House auctions

Buying repossessions and what to watch for

Kit Sproson
Kit Sproson
Updated 18 March 2024

It's possible to pick up repossessed and distressed properties at 20% – and in some cases nearer to 30% – off the market price. If you're willing to put the renovation work in, these properties can represent some of the best buys available. This quick guide runs through how buying a repossession works, where to find bargain properties, using the top auction houses and more.

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Essential info before you get started

A repossessed property is a home that's been seized by a lender because mortgage repayments aren't being made. As your mortgage is a loan secured against your home, repossession is what could happen if you miss mortgage payments (see our Struggling with your mortgage? guide if you think you might).

Be warned that buying a repossessed or distressed property can be a minefield, so make sure you do plenty of research beforehand. Here are our five tips to give you a good start:

1. Banks want to flog repossessions quickly – so you could bag a bargain

Homes being flogged after repossession can go mega-cheap, because the seller – usually a bank or developer – is after a quick sale as it's losing money all the time the property stays empty.

When a bank or building society claims back a house, it has a responsibility to get as much as it can for the property to minimise any losses. Yet while most sellers spend months beautifying their boltholes and waiting for the right offer, banks often just price them cheaply to sell quickly.

2. This isn't just about doer-uppers – you could bag a new-build too

Many repossessions were previously owned by borrowers who fell behind on mortgage payments. But others are new-builds and flats from developers and buy-to-letters who fell on hard times. It doesn't end there either. The websites listed below also allow you to search for homes put on the market by pressured sellers looking for a quick sale following a death or divorce.

However, it's crucial to be aware of exactly what you're purchasing. Some of these properties may well be in need of a lot of TLC. But this isn't solely a pursuit for budding Grand Design-ers.

3. You can cut up to 30% off the market value

Prices are anything between 10% to 30% off market value. Usually the more work they need, the bigger the discount, although there's potentially also a higher outlay to get the property shipshape.

In the past, properties sold at even more enormous reductions. Nowadays more punters are flocking to auctions, so savings are slightly less. Yet those willing to put in the effort and do up ropey properties can still grab deals. Another bonus is that there is usually no chain involved, meaning the whole process is a lot faster.

4. Don't buy a wreck on a whim

Your best bet is to visit the property several times, crucially with a solicitor or surveyor. There are sometimes properties out there for under £40,000. But don't be hoodwinked by the price alone – you would be barmy not to get a survey done to reveal any horrors before making an offer.

Getting a survey done is particularly important with repossessions, as there could well be hidden defects that meant the seller was not able to sell the property themselves before being repossessed. Plus, there are no existing owners to pass on helpful tips about the temperamental boiler and how next door's disputing the height of your hedge.

To locate a surveyor, see the RICS website. Be sure to factor in the cost of repairs too before making a bid, and take a builder along to the property for some estimates.

4. Struggling with mortgage debt?

If you're here because you're struggling to keep up with mortgage payments – but are still up-to-date – see our Struggling with your mortgage? guide. Where you're already behind on your mortgage payments, head to our Mortgage arrears guide instead.

For those under threat of or already affected by redundancy, see our Redundancy help guide.

Quick repossession buying tips

Auction.

'Repossession' doesn't always mean 'bargain'. It's essential to view other properties and research the area thoroughly, just as you would with any other new house. This'll give you a better perspective of whether the repossessed property you're looking at actually represents a bargain.

Before you begin viewing repossessions in earnest, have a read of these repossession-buying tips:

  • Investigate the property thoroughly. Carefully consider its transport links, employment levels in the areas and whether the schools are any good. Our Free house price valuations guide has tips on how to investigate a property's value for free.

  • Get a good mortgage deal. If you're hunting for a new mortgage, consider speaking to a broker, as they'll have a good idea of what kind of mortgage you're likely to be able to get. The process for securing a mortgage on a repossessed house is the same as with any other property, though completion is usually reached more quickly.

    Read the Cheap mortgage finding guide for how to find a broker, or our First-time buyers' guide if you're new to mortgages.

  • Know that the lender DOESN'T have to take the house off the market. It's worth noting that often lenders are allowed to continue marketing the property, even after they've accepted an offer, leaving the chance you'll be gazumped. This could mean survey and legal fees down the tube. So it's worth completing as soon as possible.

  • Check out what the situation with tenants is. Confirm that the previous tenants have handed over the keys and the property is unoccupied. If the repossessed property was previously owned by a buy-to-let landlord, it is possible that the property may be resold with a tenant in place.

  • Switched-off utilities. A small fly in the ointment is that when you move in, some services, such as gas and electricity, may have been cut off. Most energy companies will switch you back on for free, but phone lines might have a charge.

  • Check your credit rating. Check your credit rating a few months after you've moved in, just to make sure your finances don't get incorrectly mixed up with those of the previous owners. While this is highly unlikely, you should be checking your credit file regularly anyway.

    We've got a whole guide on how to Check your credit file for free. Also, our Credit scores guide explains more about credit checks and gives tips on how to boost your score.

  • Check the post. Keep an eye out for red debt collection letters addressed to the previous owners. Contact the companies (if it's clear who has sent it) and let them know the previous owners have moved out, in case they send bailiffs round.

  • Beware missing fixtures and fittings. The downside is these properties often need a refurb. At best, they might feel a bit unlived-in. At worst, the previous owner could have stripped out all fixtures and fittings before leaving.

How to bid at auction

Property is very expensive these days, even at 30% off market price. So you need to know what you're doing before bidding. 

Here's a brief step-by-step guide on how to bid at an auction.

  • Do your research. As always, you need to work out what else is on the market and what they're selling for. Repossessions aren't always bargains, and can have overpriced reserves (a minimum price set between the auctioneer and seller). Use the full Free house price valuations guide to learn how to thoroughly evaluate properties.

    Go to a couple of auctions first to get a feel for the process. Even if you're not interested in bidding, watching the pros and chancers can be a fun afternoon. It can also help you quash the nerves for when you come to do it for real.
  • View the property. Catalogues are usually released a month before the auction, allowing time for buyers to view properties and get surveys. Sign up to email lists and catalogues for all local auction houses, so you can view properties as early as possible. This way you can make an offer ahead of the auction, for a little over the reserve price. As the seller is obviously ready to make a quick sale, you could get a deal there and then.

    Professional investors might take a chance and not bother with a property survey, but as auction homes are more likely to have defects, it's crucial you get one done. Of course, the risk is you'll fork out for a survey and not be the winning bidder. But if you skimp on it, you could risk much more.
  • Get finance in place. Now, unless you're lucky enough to be a cash buyer, you'll need to get finance in place BEFORE bidding. Call your broker and get a 'mortgage promise' from a lender, also known as a mortgage/agreement in principle, which lets you know the maximum amount you can borrow. This isn't a formal mortgage offer though – most lenders won't give a formal offer until you've found a specific property and they've sent a valuer round.

    If the mortgage company disagrees with the property valuation, it may not approve the mortgage offer. For this reason, it's especially important to get a full survey and valuation before bidding. For more info, see the Cheap mortgage finding guide.

    Auctions normally require a 10% deposit on the day and any admin charges. Check the catalogue or with the auction house for payment methods. Cash won't be accepted because of anti-money laundering regulations. You'll need to bring two proofs of ID (one photographic and one proof of address) as well.

    You'll then have between 14 days and six weeks, depending on the auctioneer, to pay and complete. Miss the deadline and you lose the deposit. If you need to shift your current home to buy the new one, the sale should be completed before you bid.
  • Decide on a bidding strategy. Before heading to the sale, read the sale conditions thoroughly and get a pack with details of deeds and leases from the auction house. Then decide a firm maximum price and don't overshoot it in the heat of the moment.

    A new type of auction has emerged over recent years known as the 'modern method of auction'. It's basically just online bidding, but not all agents use it. You'll need to pay a reservation fee which is non-refundable, so make sure you definitely want the property before bidding or you could lose cash.

    Be sure to factor in the cost of any refurbishment into the price too, as once the hammer comes down, you're stuck with it. And as with eBay auctions, don't bid early. Come in late to avoid pushing the price higher. If you lose, don't be disheartened, many folks don't win first time around. Even if you don't bid, you can always make a cheeky offer on an unsold lot.

If you've tried to buy an auction property, we'd love your feedback on the process. Please leave your comments in the forum's Buying repossessions discussion.

House auctions near me

Auction houses that deal in repossessions have always been the favourite hunting ground of property investors. Yet in recent years, a number of specialist websites have sprung up too.

There's no perfect pick – they all have pros and cons, so please send us your feedback.

Auction houses

If a bank can't offload a property through an estate agent, often it'll go to auction for a quick sale (sometimes they don't even bother with an agent). Several auction houses and agents auction off repossessions, including Allsop, Barnard Marcus and Savills.

Some of these let you filter web searches for repossessed homes, or else you can just call up to see what they have on their books. Handily, Allsop also lets you search for completed auctions, a good way to glean a home's market rate.

Search for properties online or on the auction house's catalogue. If you spot a potential property, attend that day's auction.

Estate agents & local papers

Often estate agents sell off repossessed homes, but don't advertise. Call them up and ask what they have on their books. Another way is checking your local paper for announcements.

Some auctions get nothing but a small ad. The fewer house hunters that know about a home, the more likely you are to get a great deal. If you find a property that you like, you can ask to attend a viewing as normal.

Websites for repossessed properties

If you seriously fancy yourself as the next Sarah Beeny, there are sites that source repossessed properties for you. These are not recommendations, but are listed here in case people want to find out more.

Property consultancy Property Secrets sends out emails with bargain properties to subscribers for free. The premium membership is primarily for professional property developers and costs £46 for the year. Alternatively, EIG has a huge database of property auctions but is a pricey £525 plus VAT a year.

Looking for more home-buying help?

We've got lots of other helpful guides:

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