Strong Auction Results Across Devon as Buyers Compete for Property Opportunities
Property buyers were out in force at Clive Emson Auctioneers' June auction, with a range of Devon properties attracting strong interest and competitive bidding. From mixed-use town centre investments and former community buildings with redevelopment potential to sought-after coastal apartments, buyers continued to recognise the opportunities available through the auction room. Several lots significantly exceeded their guide prices, highlighting the ongoing demand for well-located properties with scope for improvement, conversion or future development. Let's delve a little deeper into the successful sales.
Tavistock town centre property sells
A four-storey mixed-use property with ‘substantial accommodation’ at the heart of Tavistock town centre has fetched £120,000 at auction.
Located at 37 Brook Street, it was among 150 lots listed in England by Clive Emson Auctioneers, with the June online auction concluding on 17 June.
It features a ground-floor shop and three-storey maisonette above with its own entrance.
Auction Appraiser James Lofthouse said: “This well located property at the heart of Tavistock town centre offers substantial accommodation for its new owner.
“They may envisage a course of improvement works and consider the potential for sub-division of the maisonette to form two flats, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”
The ground floor includes retail space, a stock room, further storage and a WC. It has a total floor area of 113 sq m.
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Class act at auction
Bidders showed good form when an ’attractive’ former school house in Paignton went under the hammer.
The Polsham Centre in Higer Polsham Road, with a freehold guide price of £130,000 plus, eventually fetched £211,000 when the auctioneer’s gavel fell.
It has seven rooms, a kitchen, separate ladies, gents and disabled cloakrooms with WC.
Auction appraiser James Lofthouse said: “Bidders were attracted by this rare opportunity to acquire an attractive detached former school house situated within a residential area of Paignton.
“The building offers the new owner potential for a variety of future uses including conversion, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”
It was auctioned in arrangement with Bettesworths.
In Brixham, a former cadets training centre sold for £89,000.
There were 45 separate bids for the property, which was listed with a freehold guide of £50,000 plus.
Located in a residential area between numbers 85 and 87 Mount Pleasant Road, it stands on a site measuring about 0.14 hectares (0.35 acres).
James said: “Bidders clearly recognised the potential of this site in a residential part of Brixham.
“The new owner has a number of options, including conversion of the unit for a variety of uses as well as some form of development of the land, all subject to the necessary consents.”
The property was auctioned in arrangement with Bettesworths.
A top floor retirement apartment with sea views in Torquay sold for £40,000 leasehold.
With two bedrooms, it is located at 12 Manor House in Middle Lincombe Road.
Ownership of the flat includes use of facilities in the complex such as a bistro, restaurant, lounge, bar, gym, library and TV/games room. There is also a private parking space.
It was sold with a 125-year lease from July 2012 and auctioned in arrangement with Absolute Sales & Lettings Ltd.
Freehold land in Pendennis Road, Torquay, sold for £9,500 – nearly double its freehold guide of £5,000 plus.
Located in a residential area, it measures about 0.01 hectares (0.03 acres).
Bettesworths was joint agent.
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Bidders are flat out for apartment
A top floor apartment in Budleigh Salterton with ‘stunning sea views’ sold for nearly £100,000 above its guide price at auction.
The flat at Rosemullion Court, in Cliff Road, was listed at £70,000 plus but went for £166,000 when the gavel fell after 62 separate bids. The property has two bedrooms, use of communal gardens and allocated parking.
Senior Auction Appraiser Audrey Smith said: “There was strong interest in this top floor flat.
“Its elevated position with stunning views from each room across the whole of Lyme Bay and the renowned Jurassic Coast may have been among the attractions to bidders along with its location close to the sea front and town centre.
“The new owner may decide to live in the property, rent it out or take advantage of it as a holiday bolt-hole.”
The flat was sold with the remainder of a 999-year lease from September 1996 plus a share of the freehold.
It was auctioned in arrangement with David Rhys & Co.
The next online auction, the fifth of eight this year, concludes on 23 July, with bidding live from 48 hours beforehand. Lot entries close on 29 June, with the catalogue online from 2 July.
If you own land or property in Devon and are considering selling, auction could offer a quicker and more certain alternative to the traditional market. You can request a free, no-obligation auction appraisal to find out whether your property might be suitable.
Find out more about the benefits of selling at auction and how it works.