Five years ago, FG Auctions launched with a simple mission: to make property sales faster, smarter, and more accessible. Since then, under the leadership of Tom Dennes, the platform has grown into a dynamic marketplace for everything from quaint 19th-century cottages to sleek modern homes and even a canal-side retreat only reachable by narrowboat.
In this interview, Tom shares how FG Auctions has evolved, the types of properties they handle, and why more sellers and buyers are turning to online auctions for a transparent, efficient, and competitive experience.
Tell us about FG Auctions and your role.
FG Auctions has always focused on residential properties and rural land, but recently we’ve seen a surge in commercial sales and corporate clients looking to offload surplus assets. My role has been to shape the platform from day one, ensuring it’s flexible enough to handle everything from probate sales to portfolio disposals.
What kinds of properties are suitable for online auction?
Honestly, almost anything! We’ve sold a huge variety, residential, agricultural, and commercial. From a timber-framed 18th-century country house in Worcestershire to a modern family home in North Yorkshire, the range is incredible. One standout was a late-1800s canal-side cottage in Oxfordshire, only accessible by narrowboat. We’ve also sold a pair of Victorian cottages in a prime Cheshire village, a 1930s semi-detached house in Leicester, a modern 16-year-old semi-detached house in Pickering, North Yorkshire, and a similarly new detached family home near Wrexham in Wales. Our portfolio truly spans a cross-section of property ages, sizes, and styles to suit all tastes. That’s the beauty of auctions, they work for all types of properties.
Who’s selling through FG Auctions, and why?
Our sellers are a mix of private individuals, executors, landowners, and corporate clients. Charities and public bodies also use us to streamline their property portfolios. The appeal? Certainty. Auctions offer a fixed timeline, a transparent process, and a legally binding sale. That’s a huge advantage for anyone needing clarity and speed, especially when planning reinvestment. However, most of our sellers are private individuals, often selling their main homes. Recently, we had two notable sales in Chester: one property with shared gardens overlooking the River Dee and another fine detached 1930s house in a smart suburb, both fetching excellent prices. We are seeing some extraordinary results with properties selling on average 29% over the guide price
What are the key benefits for sellers?
Speed and certainty are the big ones. The legal pack is prepared in advance, the auction date is set, and once the timer hits zero (and the reserve is met), the sale is legally binding. Our platform also features a dynamic bidding system. if someone bids in the final five minutes, the clock resets, giving others a chance to respond. It ensures the best possible price.
Typically, properties are marketed for 28 days, meaning a sale can be completed in just two months. That’s incredibly appealing for sellers looking to move quickly.
How does online exposure help?
Online auctions open the door to a national, and even international, audience. Buyers aren’t limited by geography, which increases competition and helps achieve true market value. We’ve seen properties sell for an average of 29% over the guide price, which speaks volumes.
What makes online auctions attractive to buyers?
Transparency. Buyers can see the current highest bid and place their own in real time. It’s a level playing field, and that builds trust. Plus, the process is streamlined, no back-and-forth negotiations, no surprises.
What’s next for FG Auctions?
We’re expecting continued growth, especially from commercial buyers and portfolio investors. As more people experience the benefits, speed, clarity, and competitive pricing, we believe online auctions will become a go-to method for property sales across the board.