The healthy housing market in Northampton over the last few years means that very little property has gone to auction - even the ones that have been very grubby have sold locally without any issue. It's hence a surprise that a number of local properties have appeared in the catalogue for Barnard Marcus' next Hammersmith Auction in early February - whether this a single owner with multiple properties who's gone bust, or whether it's a new tactic from the Sequence group (who own Barnard Marcus and a couple of local estate agents) I don't know.
The guide prices on the properties are VERY low. I suspect they are all in pretty rubbish condition and need £15-£20k spending, but even so the guide prices remain VERY low. Here's an example - http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63648712.html - this must be worth £150k in tip top order. The tactic here is probably to generate LOADS of interest and fill the room, getting the price bid up way over the indicated £95,000. But you never know - private purchasers may be put off by auction conditions or won't have time to sort a mortgage out. So there MAY be an opportunity to pinch a bargain if things don't go as expected in the auction room on the day.
Full auction list here: http://www.barnardmarcusauctions.co.uk/Current_Auction.html
