Guides & explainers
UK property & auction guides — plain English, honest answers.
Step-by-step guides covering selling, buying, the auction process, finance and deal sourcing. Each one is free, sourced from real UK data, and built around the tools that go with it — no signup, no jargon.
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Browse by pillar
Five pillars, one path through each topic.
Each pillar is a hub with its own guides. Start at a hub for the overview, or jump straight into a guide below.
Selling
5 guides
How much is my house worth? Using your postcode to get an honest answer
How to use real UK Land Registry data — instead of fake online valuations — to work out what your home is actually worth in 2026. Step-by-step, with the numbers automated online estimates hide from you.
9 min readReadHow to sell your house fast in the UK
Honest options when you need a sale quickly — and what the "we buy any house" companies don't tell you.
9 min readReadSelling a tenanted property in the UK — your three options (and the right one for you)
Landlords leaving the market in 2026 have three exit routes — sell with tenant in situ, evict and sell vacant, or sell at auction. Realistic timelines, fee comparisons, and the section 21 reality.
10 min readReadSelling an inherited property in the UK — the complete 2026 guide
Everything to do after inheriting a UK property — probate timeline, CGT vs inheritance tax, dealing with contents, and the three sale routes (estate agent, auction, cash buyer) compared.
11 min readReadWe-buy-any-house companies vs auction
The direct comparison most sellers don't see until it's too late. What WBAH companies actually pay, what auction actually returns, and the £40,000 question.
8 min readRead
Buying
2 guides
Buying at auction — the full checklist
Everything to do before, during, and after auction day. Funding, due diligence, bidding strategy, and post-hammer paperwork.
11 min readReadHow Old Is My House? How to Date a UK Property (For Real)
A practical, honest guide to finding out how old a UK house really is — from its EPC and title deeds to architectural era cues, historic OS maps and local archives. No magic-number tools, just real sources.
8 min readRead
Process
7 guides
Auction vs estate agent — a plain-English comparison
A neutral, honest comparison of selling at auction vs through an estate agent. Numbers, timelines, real trade-offs.
8 min readReadBest UK property auction houses 2026 — fees, footprint, reputation
A direct 2026 comparison of the major UK property auctioneers — Auction House UK, Bond Wolfe, Allsop, Savills, iamsold and more. Fee structures, regional strength, format, and who actually suits which seller.
11 min readReadHow long does conveyancing take in the UK? The realistic 2026 timeline
The honest 2026 timeline for UK conveyancing — week by week, with the bottlenecks that actually slow it down. Plus how auction completion sidesteps almost all of them.
8 min readReadModern Method of Auction vs traditional auction
How the two auction formats differ — fees, timelines, who pays what, and which suits your property.
7 min readReadProperty auction guide for beginners — how UK property auctions actually work
A complete plain-English introduction to buying and selling UK property at auction. Traditional vs modern method, how the bidding works, what the legal pack is, and the most common newbie mistakes.
12 min readReadThe UK auction process, explained for newcomers
How a UK property auction actually works — from listing, to legal pack, to hammer fall, to keys.
9 min readReadWhy do property sales fall through? The 7 most common reasons (and how to avoid them)
A third of UK property sales collapse before completion. Here are the seven most common reasons — survey results, mortgage withdrawal, chain breaks, gazumping — and exactly how to stop yours becoming one of them.
9 min readRead
Finance & tax
1 guide
Deal sourcing
14 guides
BMV Explained — How Below-Market-Value Deals Work
BMV (below-market-value) property deals explained for UK sourcers and investors — what counts as BMV, how to verify the discount, where deals come from and the risks.
7 min readReadBRR / BRRR Explained — Buy, Refurb, Refinance
BRR and BRRR explained for UK investors — Buy, Refurb, Refinance (and Rent) step by step, how capital recycling works, the role of GDV and yield, plus the risks.
7 min readReadDeal Sourcing vs Deal Packaging — the Difference
Deal sourcing finds the property; deal packaging proves it stacks. Learn the difference, where they overlap, the fees, and how UK sourcers do both well.
7 min readReadFinding Motivated Sellers — UK Deal Sourcing
How UK deal sourcers and investors find motivated sellers — the channels that work, what motivation actually looks like, ethical approaches and how to verify a deal stacks.
7 min readReadHow to Analyse a Property Deal (Step by Step)
A step-by-step framework to analyse a UK property deal — work out gross yield, net yield, refurb costs, GDV and ROI before you commit a single pound.
8 min readReadHow to Become a Property Deal Sourcer in the UK
A step-by-step UK guide to becoming a property deal sourcer in 2026 — the compliance, contracts, finding deals, pricing your fee and building a buyer list, the legal way.
8 min readReadHow to Package a Property Deal (with Checklist)
Learn how to package a property deal for investors — the figures, due diligence, and documents that make a deal pack credible. Free checklist inside.
8 min readReadIs Serviced Accommodation Profitable in 2026?
Is serviced accommodation (SA) still profitable in 2026? How occupancy, nightly rate, cleaning and management decide whether SA beats a standard buy-to-let — with a free calculator to model your own numbers.
7 min readReadProperty Deal Sourcing Compliance: Redress, ICO, AML & Insurance
UK property deal sourcing for a fee is estate-agency work. Here's the compliance checklist — redress scheme, ICO, HMRC anti-money-laundering, PI insurance and FCA limits.
7 min readReadProperty Deal Sourcing Fees Explained
How UK property deal sourcing fees work — typical ranges, when to pay, what an investor gets for the money, and the compliance rules every sourcer must follow.
7 min readReadRent-to-Rent (R2R) Explained for UK Investors
Rent-to-rent lets you control and sublet a property you don't own, profiting from the spread between rent paid and rent collected. Here is how R2R works in the UK, legally and practically.
7 min readReadRent-to-Serviced-Accommodation (R2SA) Explained
Rent-to-Serviced-Accommodation (R2SA) explained for UK sourcers and investors — how the model works, the numbers, the legal must-haves, and the real risks.
8 min readReadSupported Living Investment Explained
Supported living investment explained for UK landlords — how Registered Provider leases work, the yields on offer, the regulation under the 2023 Act, and the real risks. Includes a free yield calculator.
8 min readReadWhat Is Rent-to-Rent? How R2R Works in the UK
What is rent-to-rent (R2R)? How the strategy works in the UK, whether it's legal, the agreements and consents you need, typical profit per unit and the startup costs — with a free calculator.
7 min readRead
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Or find a guide directly.
Process
Auction vs estate agent — a plain-English comparison
A neutral, honest comparison of selling at auction vs through an estate agent. Numbers, timelines, real trade-offs.
Process
Best UK property auction houses 2026 — fees, footprint, reputation
A direct 2026 comparison of the major UK property auctioneers — Auction House UK, Bond Wolfe, Allsop, Savills, iamsold and more. Fee structures, regional strength, format, and who actually suits which seller.
Deal sourcing
BMV Explained — How Below-Market-Value Deals Work
BMV (below-market-value) property deals explained for UK sourcers and investors — what counts as BMV, how to verify the discount, where deals come from and the risks.
Deal sourcing
BRR / BRRR Explained — Buy, Refurb, Refinance
BRR and BRRR explained for UK investors — Buy, Refurb, Refinance (and Rent) step by step, how capital recycling works, the role of GDV and yield, plus the risks.
Buying
Buying at auction — the full checklist
Everything to do before, during, and after auction day. Funding, due diligence, bidding strategy, and post-hammer paperwork.
Deal sourcing
Deal Sourcing vs Deal Packaging — the Difference
Deal sourcing finds the property; deal packaging proves it stacks. Learn the difference, where they overlap, the fees, and how UK sourcers do both well.
Deal sourcing
Finding Motivated Sellers — UK Deal Sourcing
How UK deal sourcers and investors find motivated sellers — the channels that work, what motivation actually looks like, ethical approaches and how to verify a deal stacks.
Process
How long does conveyancing take in the UK? The realistic 2026 timeline
The honest 2026 timeline for UK conveyancing — week by week, with the bottlenecks that actually slow it down. Plus how auction completion sidesteps almost all of them.
Selling
How much is my house worth? Using your postcode to get an honest answer
How to use real UK Land Registry data — instead of fake online valuations — to work out what your home is actually worth in 2026. Step-by-step, with the numbers automated online estimates hide from you.
Buying
How Old Is My House? How to Date a UK Property (For Real)
A practical, honest guide to finding out how old a UK house really is — from its EPC and title deeds to architectural era cues, historic OS maps and local archives. No magic-number tools, just real sources.
Deal sourcing
How to Analyse a Property Deal (Step by Step)
A step-by-step framework to analyse a UK property deal — work out gross yield, net yield, refurb costs, GDV and ROI before you commit a single pound.
Deal sourcing
How to Become a Property Deal Sourcer in the UK
A step-by-step UK guide to becoming a property deal sourcer in 2026 — the compliance, contracts, finding deals, pricing your fee and building a buyer list, the legal way.
Deal sourcing
How to Package a Property Deal (with Checklist)
Learn how to package a property deal for investors — the figures, due diligence, and documents that make a deal pack credible. Free checklist inside.
Selling
How to sell your house fast in the UK
Honest options when you need a sale quickly — and what the "we buy any house" companies don't tell you.
Deal sourcing
Is Serviced Accommodation Profitable in 2026?
Is serviced accommodation (SA) still profitable in 2026? How occupancy, nightly rate, cleaning and management decide whether SA beats a standard buy-to-let — with a free calculator to model your own numbers.
Process
Modern Method of Auction vs traditional auction
How the two auction formats differ — fees, timelines, who pays what, and which suits your property.
Process
Property auction guide for beginners — how UK property auctions actually work
A complete plain-English introduction to buying and selling UK property at auction. Traditional vs modern method, how the bidding works, what the legal pack is, and the most common newbie mistakes.
Deal sourcing
Property Deal Sourcing Compliance: Redress, ICO, AML & Insurance
UK property deal sourcing for a fee is estate-agency work. Here's the compliance checklist — redress scheme, ICO, HMRC anti-money-laundering, PI insurance and FCA limits.
Deal sourcing
Property Deal Sourcing Fees Explained
How UK property deal sourcing fees work — typical ranges, when to pay, what an investor gets for the money, and the compliance rules every sourcer must follow.
Deal sourcing
Rent-to-Rent (R2R) Explained for UK Investors
Rent-to-rent lets you control and sublet a property you don't own, profiting from the spread between rent paid and rent collected. Here is how R2R works in the UK, legally and practically.
Deal sourcing
Rent-to-Serviced-Accommodation (R2SA) Explained
Rent-to-Serviced-Accommodation (R2SA) explained for UK sourcers and investors — how the model works, the numbers, the legal must-haves, and the real risks.
Selling
Selling a tenanted property in the UK — your three options (and the right one for you)
Landlords leaving the market in 2026 have three exit routes — sell with tenant in situ, evict and sell vacant, or sell at auction. Realistic timelines, fee comparisons, and the section 21 reality.
Selling
Selling an inherited property in the UK — the complete 2026 guide
Everything to do after inheriting a UK property — probate timeline, CGT vs inheritance tax, dealing with contents, and the three sale routes (estate agent, auction, cash buyer) compared.
Deal sourcing
Supported Living Investment Explained
Supported living investment explained for UK landlords — how Registered Provider leases work, the yields on offer, the regulation under the 2023 Act, and the real risks. Includes a free yield calculator.
Process
The UK auction process, explained for newcomers
How a UK property auction actually works — from listing, to legal pack, to hammer fall, to keys.
Finance & tax
UK auction fees explained — buyer's premium, seller commission, hidden costs
A complete plain-English guide to every fee at a UK property auction — buyer's premium, seller commission, legal pack admin, reservation fees, special conditions. Real 2026 numbers from five UK auction houses.
Selling
We-buy-any-house companies vs auction
The direct comparison most sellers don't see until it's too late. What WBAH companies actually pay, what auction actually returns, and the £40,000 question.
Deal sourcing
What Is Rent-to-Rent? How R2R Works in the UK
What is rent-to-rent (R2R)? How the strategy works in the UK, whether it's legal, the agreements and consents you need, typical profit per unit and the startup costs — with a free calculator.
Process
Why do property sales fall through? The 7 most common reasons (and how to avoid them)
A third of UK property sales collapse before completion. Here are the seven most common reasons — survey results, mortgage withdrawal, chain breaks, gazumping — and exactly how to stop yours becoming one of them.
Guides by area
Take a guide local.
The guides explain the how; your area page shows the real numbers. Pick a city to see its sold prices, EPC, council tax, crime and flood data — then read the guides that apply.
LondonBirminghamManchesterLeedsLiverpoolSheffieldBristolGlasgowEdinburghNottinghamLeicesterNewcastleCardiffCoventryBradfordBelfastStoke-on-TrentWolverhamptonPlymouthSouthamptonReadingDerbyHullPrestonBrightonMilton KeynesNorthamptonNorwichLutonSwindonAberdeenDundeeSunderlandPortsmouthOxfordCambridgeYorkIpswichMiddlesbroughBournemouthPeterboroughHuddersfieldTelfordBlackpoolBoltonStockportWiganWakefieldDoncasterRotherhamGloucesterExeterSouthendSloughWatfordColchesterChelmsfordBasingstokeCrawleyMaidstoneWokingGuildfordStevenageSt AlbansHigh WycombeBathCheltenhamWorcesterLincolnChesterWarringtonBlackburnBurnleyOldhamRochdaleSalfordBuryHalifaxBarnsleyChesterfieldMansfieldGrimsbyScunthorpeCarlisleLancasterBedfordShrewsburyHerefordTorquaySolihullWalsallDudleyNuneatonRedditchKidderminsterSouthportSt HelensSwanseaNewportWrexham100 areas
Ready when you are
Read up, then check the property for real.
The guides explain the “why”. Our free tools give you the numbers — sold prices, EPC, stamp duty, sale-method and auction costs — all on real government data.