Clive Emson sees greater certainty ahead of final sale of 2023

Confidence is returning to the auctions market as economic conditions stabilise, says Clive Emson Auctioneers ahead of its eighth and final sale of the year. Managing director James Emson said: “Looking ahead, with inflation down by more than half from its level at this time last year, and the Bank of England base rate currently stable, there appears to be more certainty in the market outlook than there has been for some time. “These dynamics provide sellers with confidence that there will be a new wave of buyers who may have previously held back out of an abundance of caution.” A total of 149 lots are listed in the 13 December auction, spanning southern England and South Wales. Several local authorities have put land and property up for sale, including Eastbourne Borough Council, which is offering two substantial former office buildings in the East Sussex town, with conversion potential, guided at £950,000-£1m (lot 61, pictured). The same council is also selling a number of lots comprising income-producing garages. A parcel of land at the village of Leigh, near Tonbridge in Kent, is being sold on the instructions of Sevenoaks District Council and has a guide price of £90,000-£95,000 (lot 93). Other interesting lots include a site in Margate, Kent, with outline planning consent for a mixed-use development of living and working space, including 25 artists’ apartments, a studio space, gallery, café and community/meeting facilities, which is guided at £600,000-plus (lot 3). Cornwall Council has instructed the auctioneer to sell a former salt store in Roche, St Austell, with a guide price of £50,000-£70,000 (lot 4), while, also in Cornwall, there is what is described as a “rare opportunity” to purchase a freehold terraced property in Fowey town centre – 3 Custom Hill House is guided at £235,000-£250,000 (lot 120). To send feedback, e-mail newsdesk@eg.co.uk or tweet @EGPropertyNews Photo © Clive Emson Auctioneers, courtesy of Deep South Media