Harrogate and North Yorkshire estate agent and independent professional property partnership Feather Smailes and Scales FSS are based in Harrogate town centre.

FSS are Estate Agents, Letting Agents, Property Auctioneers, Surveyors, Valuers and Commercial Property Agents.

The only fully comprehensive property agency in the district, FSS’s range of services and knowledge gives them a breadth and depth of experience of the property market that is hard to beat and brings “a different approach to property” to FSS Property Auction customers.

FSS Property Auction has one of the biggest property teams in the district, and FSS Property Auction staff are all very approachable and will discuss matters clearly and without ambiguity.

FSS Property Auction’s friendly, experienced team can help you buy, sell, let, rent, survey and value residential and commercial property in Harrogate and throughout Yorkshire.

Established in 1994 by the 3 founding Partners, Jim Feather, Charles Smailes and Peter Scales.

FSS is owned and managed by Partners Simon Croft and Richard Smailes.

Straight talking, innovative and totally committed to delivering results, FSS Property Auction’s expertise and ‘different approach’ keeps them ahead of the game on a professional but personal basis.

FSS Property Auction took the lead on industry issues and was the first estate agent in the UK to become licensed under the National Association of Estate Agents licensing scheme.

All FSS Property Auction fee-earning staff are professionally qualified to carry out the roles they are employed to do, meaning that you will receive the highest quality of service and advice.

FSS Property Auction is an active member of:

• The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA)
• The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)
• The National Association of Valuers & Auctioneers (NAVA)
• The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
• The Institution of Commercial and Business Agents (ICBA)
• The Property Ombudsman (TPO)

A Guide to Buying at Feather Smailes and Scales Auction 

Details of the FSS Property Auction property auctions and land to be sold are set out in the FSS Property Auction online catalogue.

They are usually available online or on request online to be posted to you. All lots are sold subject to general conditions of sale.

It is most important that purchasers satisfy themselves regarding the availability, location, boundaries, conditions and state of all lots before the auction.

Viewing
You must view the properties which interest you as soon as possible.

Viewing arrangements for each lot are contained in this catalogue.

Legal Documentation
There are special conditions and general conditions that apply to all lots being offered at auction.

A copy of these should be available within the legal pack for each lot, a copy of which will be posted to the relevant auctioneer’s website as soon as possible.

Instructing a Solicitor
Before bidding at the auction, it is advisable to consult a solicitor/licensed conveyancer to advise you on the general and special conditions of sale, any searches that may be necessary, the Land Registry office copy entries and any other information provided.

Guide Prices at Feather Smailes and Scales
Most are quoted in the catalogue available from the agency/office concerned nearer the time of the auction.

A guide price may change at any time. Lots may be sold at above or below the guide price, and we cannot accept responsibility for their accuracy.

Reserve Prices at Feather Smailes and Scales
Unless stated in the catalogue, all lots are subject to a Reserve price.

This is the minimum price at which the seller has authorised the auctioneer to sell.  The bidding must reach or exceed the reserve price for the auctioneer to be able to sell.

The reserve price is confidential. It is set by the seller in consultation with the auctioneer before the auction and may be subject to change right up to the start of the auction.

The auctioneer reserves the right to accept bids from the vendor up to and including the reserve value.

Pre-Auction Offers
Offers must be in writing and only be considered if the lot has been viewed and the legal documentation is inspected.

Pre-auction bids are based on an immediate exchange of auction contracts upon acceptance by the seller.

Any offer will be assumed to be your best and final offer and the auction house cannot guarantee that you will be invited to increase your bid in the event of an alternative, the satisfactory offer is received before exchange.

Feather Smailes and Scales Proxy Bids
If you want to bid by proxy on the day of the auction the auctioneer may be happy for you to do so, check in advance with the relevant auction house.

The Auctioneer usually holds a signed contract and deposit cheque at least 48 hours before the auction.

Therefore, please get in touch with the auction house as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please contact the relevant Auction house for a proxy bid registration form or use the one shown on the relevant auction house website (the link for this auction house is below) or the one in the auction brochure.

Registering at Auction & Means of Identification
You must register before the auction starts at the registration desk at the auction venue (each auction house has its own rules.

Check in advance what they are). 

The successful bidder must provide two identification forms (see registration form). 

Please note that it is a requirement that you also provide documentation to confirm your name and residential address.

Bidding at Feather Smailes and Scales Auction

If you have not bid at an auction before, it is advisable to be present when the Auction starts, listen to the Auctioneer’s opening remarks and follow the bidding in the early lots.

The Auctioneer will indicate from whom the bid has been taken, but it is helpful to the Auctioneer for you to raise your hand or bidding card number clearly when you bid. 

If the Auctioneer doubts whether the movement of a head or hand was, in fact, a bid, he will usually inquire, “Was that a bid, Sir/Madam?”  

If you are the successful bidder, a binding contract is entered into between the seller and the bidder on the fall of the Auctioneer’s gavel.

You will then be approached by an auction staff member who will escort you to the sales desk. 

At this point a deposit payment is required, the sum of 10% of the sale price is handed to the seller’s solicitor.

Don’t buy from any property auction until you have read the British Landlord Association property auction tip & guide.

Click Here for Property Auction website