After more than 30 years, business for online property auction specialist Clive Emson Auctioneers is still going strong. Zoë Fryday catches up with MD James Emson to find out more
Investing in property offers significant benefits for businesses, and across the South of England, the opportunities are endless – whether you’re looking for residential or commercial property, land for development, agricultural land or anything in between.
There to support a wide range of buyers, as well as estate agencies, is Clive Emson Auctioneers, a family-run land and property auction specialist with a sterling reputation built on over 30 years of industry experience. Today, the company is the UK’s leading independent regional property auctioneer, with five strategically placed offices, located in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Essex and Exeter.
Clive Emson Auctioneers offers a specialised service and, therefore, does not compete with ‘traditional’ estate agencies. Throughout the year, all properties are offered for sale through an easily accessible online auction catalogue. “The success of our auction house is due to, and remains attributable, to a firm commitment to quality and service,” says managing director James Emson. “Our knowledge and experience is shared and trusted by a network of over 650 estate agents throughout Southern England.”
Father-son powerhouse Clive and James have worked together for many years. With two decades of experience in property and fine art auctioneering under his belt, Clive founded the company in 1989, and James joined in 1991, going on to become managing director in 2009 whilst Clive adopted the role of chairman of the board.
James is the auctioneer for the Sussex and Surrey area since expanding the business in 2002. He has been a past president of the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers, along with sitting on the committee of the real estate auctions for the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. In 2002, James opened Clive Emson Auctioneers’ Sussex office, closely followed by Hampshire in 2004, West Country (Exeter) in 2010 and then the last addition of Essex in 2014.
You could say that James was destined to work in the industry, as he has been around auctions his entire life. “My earliest experience of wielding the gavel on the rostrum was at the age of 15 at a charity auction which dad was conducting,” he explains. “The first I knew about it was when he passed the gavel and said ‘You are taking over for the next 10 lots’. That’s when the nerves, adrenaline and passion for auctions began. You never forget the first lot you sell and mine was a box of 10 HB pencils for a school charity auction!”
He goes on to state: “Education was never my strong point because I am seriously dyslexic, which, in the early years of my education, resulted in me being referred to as either lazy, stupid or just couldn’t be bothered – quite a common stance taken by some teachers in the 80s. In 1991, at the age of 17, I joined the family business as a gofer to learn about the firm and every role within it. Working my way through each role over 20 years set me in good stead. One thing that I have always believed is that you don’t ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.”
James describes his management style as democratic, progressive and open-minded, and explains that everyone in the company has a voice and is treated equally, especially when it comes to suggestions and visions for the future. He also prides himself on his approachability. “If anyone needs help or is struggling, one of the key things is the ability to listen and help where possible,” says James. “Having spent time in every role, there is rarely a situation that arises which hasn’t happened before in some guise. Being approachable does mean that if a mistake is made or something goes wrong, you know immediately – you’re there to help resolve any problem without trying to find blame.”
Clive Emson Auctioneers has experienced impressive growth over the past 30 years. The development and expansion of the business fills James with pride, and he recognises that none of it would have been possible without a dedicated team. “When I started in 1991, there were seven based in one small office, but over time, we have expanded to five locations and now have over 50 staff – the majority of which have been trained since school or after leaving college. The greatest satisfaction is watching them reach their full potential with encouragement and training. Within the firm, there is no end to where a career can lead to as we are still a traditional family business where everyone is there to reach a common goal.”
As an established business, Clive Emson Auctioneers has faced its fair share of challenges over the years. In fact, James points out that it wasn’t easy from day one. The company launched in 1989, in what could be described as one of the worst recessions. The projected income, cash flows and finance all went out the window by the first auction to save costs. “The whole family spent the weekends copying and stapling catalogues on the kitchen table and the family home was on the line and very nearly lost due to the financial burdens. However, we managed to survive through hard work and belief that a company only offering auctions would work, even when the bank managers said we had no chance! We like a challenge and being told that it wouldn’t work only made us stronger and more determined.”
More recently, there were the challenges of the pandemic. When Covid happened, Clive Emson Auctioneers’ entire auction model was based on ballroom auctions, which could not take place, so the company had to implement an alternative strategy very quickly. James explains: “Although we had the technology in place, it was something that hadn’t really taken off, but with a great deal of hard work and support from the team, we reinvented the business. The ability to adapt and change is one of our greatest strengths, but again, it is through dedication and teamwork.”
So, what’s next for Clive Emson Auctioneers? Well, James will be committed to stepping up marketing to drive more people towards auctions. “30 years ago, auctions were considered a last resort for property transactions,” he says. “This, however, has changed, and we aim to encourage more first-time buyers and investors into the auctions world.” He adds that there is always room for expansion. The company is just starting another recruitment drive to find the next generation to take the business forward, and a hybrid auction system is currently in development, so when the time is right, there will be the possibility to go back to live auctions, without having a detrimental effect on those who prefer to bid online.
James explains that the company will also be continuing its charity work. “We have always been very supportive of a number of charities, especially The Young Lives Foundation, which helps children in care by providing independent visitors who can listen and offer advice and help. As auctioneers, we get asked to carry out charity auctions, which has given us a great insight into how so many organisations have been struggling to raise money. We are always happy to help with auctions across the area we cover.”
According to Clive Emson Auctioneers, the market is still strong for land and property which is marketed at the right price. Within the auction world, the team see lots of businesses and private individuals looking to invest for the first time or to expand their portfolios. When purchasing property, James advises focusing on your goal. “For example, are you looking for capital appreciation, rental return or to add value in the future to land or property that may offer future development or redevelopment potential? Once you have worked out what you are trying to achieve, check the market locally and do research on trends, improvement schemes or if the infrastructure is going to improve as this will all have a factor on the future values. It is important to keep an open mind, look at as many properties as you can and ask questions. As auctioneers, that’s what we are here for – to make the process as easy as possible.”
Five golden rules to follow when looking to purchase property
- Look through the auctioneer’s catalogue to identify any lots which are of interest. The lot information will provide you with viewing details, allowing you to book an appointment and in most cases a walk-through video. The catalogue will also provide photos, elevations, location plans and, more importantly, a guide price.
- Obtain a copy of the legal documentation. This is the information the seller’s solicitor provides and can include special conditions of sale, which may contain extra fees and costs in addition to the bid price, local authority searches and, in the majority of cases, all the documentation required for making an informed decision on whether to bid or not. It is important to remember that if you are not fully au fait with property law, you should seek independent legal advice from a solicitor or licensed conveyance.
- If you require a survey, this can be carried out before you commit yourself to a legally binding contract.
- If you are successful, you will be required to pay a 10% deposit in cleared funds (or £3,000 – whichever is the greater) to the auctioneers at the point of exchange, together with the auction administration fee. If you require finance, again, arrange this before committing to the contract.
- Be prepared. You will need to register online in order to bid. The process will usually only take 10 minutes and requires you to provide personal contact information, buyer information, your passport or driving licence number, solicitors details and a debit or credit card to pay your holding deposit if you are successful. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the addendum (a list of amendments to the catalogue or documentation, which will form part of the contract) and finally, relax!
