Make Your Modern Method of Auction Listing Mortgage Friendly

If you’re selling by the Modern Method of Auction, one of the big advantages is that you can attract “normal” buyers who need a mortgage, not just cash investors, because the timetable is designed to give them longer to sort out their finance. The buyer typically has 28 days to exchange and a further 28 days to complete (often talked about as a 56-day structure), which is what makes mortgages realistic in the first place.

At The Auction Experts, we see the same pattern again and again: when sellers make the listing easier for a lender (and a surveyor) to say “yes” to, you get more confident bidders, fewer wobbles, and a smoother run to completion.

What “mortgage friendly” really means

A lender typically wants to know three things:

1. Is the property acceptable security? (Condition, construction type, obvious risks)
2. Is the value supportable? (Survey/valuation stacks up)
3. Is the paperwork clean enough to lend against? (Title, lease, permissions, guarantees)

So, your job as the seller is simple: remove uncertainty before the potential buyer even bids. Read on to discover how!

9 practical ways to help mortgage buyers succeed

1. Get the legal pack moving early

With the Modern method of Auction, buyers often rely on the auction legal pack to do their checks quickly. A well-prepared pack usually includes things like title documents and searches, plus property information forms and special conditions.

Shortcut: instruct your conveyancer early and aim to have key documents ready before you go live. Every day saved upfront reduces last-minute panic later.

2. Give the buyer’s surveyor easy access

Mortgage lenders typically require a valuation, and many buyers also book a homebuyer report. If access is awkward (tenants, pets, key availability, limited time slots), the clock starts ticking!

Shortcut: block out two or three “survey windows” in your diary (e.g., mid-week mornings). If your property is tenanted, agree access rules in writing early.

3. Don’t hide quirks - explain them clearly

Non-standard construction, short leases, flying freeholds, missing building regs, or historic alterations can make lenders cautious. It doesn’t mean “no mortgage”, but it does mean questions.

Shortcut: Have your paperwork ready (completion certificates, guarantees, planning permissions, party wall agreements if relevant). When buyers can see the answers, they bid with less fear.

4. Consider a pre-listing survey

Some sellers choose to commission their own RICS survey to be transparent and reduce surprises. It’s not mandatory, but it can help bidders feel safer - especially if the property needs work.

Shortcut: even a basic condition report plus a couple of contractor quotes can stop buyers imagining a £30k problem when it’s really a £3k fix.

5. Make leasehold information easy to digest

Flats can slow down mortgage timelines because buyers and lenders want to see service charges, ground rent, and management details.

Shortcut: have the last 3 years’ service charge accounts, buildings insurance summary, and any planned major works info ready. If you’ve got them in one PDF, you’re already ahead of the game.

6. Keep the guide price sensible

If bidding runs far beyond what local comparables support, a lender valuation may come in low, forcing renegotiation or a bigger cash top-up from the buyer.

Shortcut: We like a “buyer-proof” approach: set a guide price that draws attention but still sits within realistic valuation territory.

7. Help buyers prepare before they bid

The Modern method of Auction can attract mortgage buyers partly because there’s more time to arrange finance.

Shortcut: encourage buyers to have an Agreement in Principle (AIP) and a mortgage broker lined up.

8. Reply fast during the reservation period

After the winning bid, there’s a period where the buyer works through finance and legal steps, and sellers usually can’t just switch to another buyer on a whim.

Shortcut: treat messages like a same-day task. Slow responses create doubt. Doubt kills momentum.

9. Make the property look “valuer-ready”

This isn’t about fancy styling. It’s about avoiding red flags such as:

• signs of damp without explanation
• unsafe electrics
• obvious leaks
• missing smoke/heat alarms (where expected)

Shortcut: complete small fixes, clean up the exterior, and keep access to lofts/boilers clear for inspections.

A quick seller checklist

• Conveyancer instructed early
• Key documents gathered (planning, building regs, guarantees, manuals)
• Clear access plan for surveys/valuations
• Leasehold pack prepared (if applicable)
• Honest notes on quirks with evidence
• Clean, presentable condition for inspections

Call The Auction Experts - we’ll help you sell with more speed and less stress

If you want a sale that attracts mortgage buyers and stays on track to completion, we’ll talk you through the best strategy for your property and the best way to present it to bidders. Call us on 0330 179 8180 or email hello@theauctionexperts.co.uk

In the meantime, we’ve answered some of your common questions about making your property mortgage-friendly.

FAQs

Can a buyer get a mortgage on a Modern Method of Auction property?

Yes, many buyers use a mortgage because the structure typically gives longer to exchange and complete than a traditional auction.

What slows down mortgage buyers the most?

Missing paperwork, slow access for valuations/surveys, and surprise issues (lease details, permissions, condition problems) that trigger extra lender questions.

Should I do anything differently if my home needs work?

Give bidders clarity: a survey/condition report, a couple of quotes, and straight answers. Confidence creates bids.

Do I need to accept only cash buyers to be safe?

Not necessarily. Mortgage buyers can be strong bidders. The trick is making the property easy to lend on.

How do I get started with The Auction Experts?

Call 0330 179 8180 or email hello@theauctionexperts.co.uk, and we’ll outline your best route, timescales, and the prep that will help your sale run smoothly.