Clive Emson has 102 diverse lots listed in its first auction of eight this year.
The firm’s online catalogue for southern England includes 32 residential properties, 30 investments and 21 commercial lots.
Auction timers end on Wednesday, 9 February, with bidding live two days beforehand.
Inflation hedge
James Emson, Managing Director, said: “Residential, commercial and development opportunities abound, with buyers and sellers embracing the use of our online auctions from the UK and abroad.
James Emson of Clive Emson Auctioneers
“Investors tend to think long-term – they are looking to capital growth and rental income for enhanced returns; cash in the bank is losing purchasing power due to a challenging confluence of low interest rates and inflation at a near 30-year high.
“It’s great to see the increase in first-time buyers too – defined timescales guarantee that, if they are the highest bidder above the reserve, they have bought the property without being ‘gazumped’ or waiting months for documentation. This helps all buyers with the confidence to take part.”
Proxy bids
Following feedback from sellers and buyers, proxy bids are being introduced on the online platform – prospective purchasers can now enter their maximum bid and the ‘system’ will automatically bid on their behalf up to their maximum as and when other bids are placed.
James said: “The proxy bid is completely confidential and we, as auctioneers, will not be able to see your maximum amount, which is the same as when we were previously conducting ballroom auctions – the auctioneer never knew the proxy bids. This means it is fair and transparent for anyone wishing to take part in the auction.”
Doctor’s orders
In a separate development, the firm has started to embed ‘what3words’ within its website to locate pieces of land or rural properties within a few metres.
Clive Emson, which works with a network of 850-plus estates agents, recorded £170m in sales in 2021, with an 80% sales success rate.
The lot with the highest guide price in February’s auction, at £850-900,000, is a former doctors’ surgery in Eastbourne, East Sussex, with planning permission for a terrace of three houses (lot 9).
Guided at £480-500,000 is this former Victorian-era school overlooking the green at Benenden, Kent (lot 51).
Get me to the church on time
Four buildings with religious connections are also under the hammer.
They are a Methodist chapel and Sunday school near Helston, Cornwall (lot 66, £130-140,000), a former church hall near Uckfield, East Sussex (lot 70, £190-200,000) and, in Kent, a Methodist church at Headcorn (lot 99, £130-135,000) and a former United Reform Church in Dover (lot 102, £250,000-plus).
Methodist chapel and Sunday school near Helston, Cornwall (lot 66, £130-140,000)
Former church hall near Uckfield, East Sussex (lot 70, £190-200,000)
Methodist church at Headcorn (lot 99, £130-135,000)
Former United Reform Church in Dover (lot 102, £250,000-plus)
Currently let at £30,600 per annum to Kent County Council, a sports cycle park in Gravesend, Kent, is guided at £480,000-plus and is being sold on the instructions of trustees (lot 33).
In the same town, a phone mast is guided at £50,000-plus and is currently let at £9,000 per annum (lot 54).
Napoleonic fort
Around 26 acres of land at Romney Marsh, Kent, including the remains of a Napoleonic fort from 1798 when England was on guard against a French invasion, are guided at £55-58,000 (lot 77).
Let at £30,000 per annum is a service station, with a car wash, car sales facility and garage workshop, near Canterbury, Kent, with a guide price of £300,000-plus (lot 85).
On a 20-year lease from 2013 to an Indian restaurant and takeaway, let at £50,000 per annum, is a character former townhouse in Newton Abbot, Devon. Guide price: £620-630,000 (lot 78).
London living
A three-bedroom ground floor flat in Hackney, London, is currently let at nearly £23,000 a year and is guided at £475,000-plus (lot 88).
It’s located on Mare Street, close to Regents Canal, shopping, bars and restaurants in Market Broadway. Within half a mile are rail connections at Cambridge Heath (overground) and Bethnal Green (Central Line).
Gym building for sale where Arnie Schwarzenegger did his early bodybuilding
A former Portsmouth gym which counted Hollywood bodybuilder Arnie Schwarzenegger as a distinguished member is also listed.
Guided at £300-330,000 freehold, the vacant property at 2A Hellyer Road, Southsea (lot 64).
Rob Marchant, Clive Emson’s Hampshire auctioneer, said: ‘A lot of people will have worked out at Lougars Gym & Fitness Centre, which counted Arnie ‘Mr Universe’ Schwarzenegger as an illustrious member when he lived here in the city in the 1960s to train with the best.
‘The two-storey property is likely to attract keen interest, perhaps from previous users. Perhaps Arnie himself might want to make a bid for old time’s sake. Planning permission is pending for three two-bedroom flats in the style of New York lofts.’
Video tour: https://www.cliveemson.co.uk/properties/231/64/
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