Let me start by wishing everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Now down to  business......

A number of individual auction houses have published the results of their latest auctions. Romans' final auction of the year took place in Reading and the auctioneer achieved a success rate of 100% as all lots were sold on the day.

The highlight of the event was a building plot which sold for £1 million, £200,000 higher than its initial guide price.

“We have experienced a fantastic year with 86% of all lots selling at our auctions, and this was a fitting finale. All of the lots sold and a majority went for significantly higher prices than their reserves,” said Simon Clayton, Romans’ Auctions Director.

Romans' first auction of 2016 takes place on February 24 and lots are already being invited.

Meanwhile, Network Auctions achieved the second best auction result in the organisation's history, selling 93% of all lots at its December sale.

The highlight of the day was lot 26 – a bungalow in Christchurch, Dorset which sold for £585,000, £205,000 over the guide price.

“With sales well in excess of £30 million in 2015, it has been a great year for Network Auctions and we were also voted auction house of the year by the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers,” commented managing director of Network Auctions, Toby Limbrick.

The auction house has eleven sales planned for 2016 – six in the capital and five in Birmingham – with lots already being invited for the first sale of the year, taking place on February 25.​