The first property auction catalogues of the new year will be released this week and uploaded into our database.  There are only a handful of auctions taking place this month, as auctioneers spend the next fortnight building up their catalogues following the festive break.

If you're a member, check out the Auction Calendar to see which auctions are happening when, throughout the UK.  The calendar is updated on an ongoing basis over the year, and we'd suggest that you always contact the auction house to confirm the date and time beforehand.

Happy househunting!

Homes bought by first-time buyers have reached their most affordable levels since 2003 – but numbers have hit a record low, Halifax has found. Houses bought by first-time buyers in November were found to be priced at "affordable" levels in 44 per cent of the UK, the highest for eight years.

Halifax also found most areas with affordable homes were outside the South of England. No districts in London are deemed affordable while all districts in the North East are. Three-quarters of affordable areas are in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands

Woking in Surrey was named the best performing town or city within the UK throughout 2011 with regard to house prices, new research carried out by Halifax has shown.

The study revealed the area witnessed the most marked rise in property costs over the last 12 months - climbing from £257,580 in 2010 to £299,654 one year later - an increase of 16% for the commuter town, which is located within travelling distance of central London by train.

Other regions to score highly included Falkirk in Scotland, as well as towns in London and the south-east of England.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at

SELL YOUR PROPERTY AT AUCTION!

If you're wanting a quick and stress free house sale, then auction might be the right route for you. If you're thinking about auction, why not complete this short form http://www.ukauctionlist.com/selling/property-valuation-free-real-estate-appraisal today, and we will arrange for one of our auctioneers to give you a ring in the New Year to discuss your options.

Benefits of selling your property at auction include:

•     Exchange of contracts on the day of the auction sale
•     10% deposit paid immediately
•     Sale guaranteed upon fall of the hammer

One more sleep until the big day and I am signing off for a week to relax and rejuvenate for what hopes to be a fantastic new year for the world of property auctions!  Wishing you a very happy Christmas from us all at UK Auction List and best wishes for 2012!

House prices rose slightly in October, but recorded a year-on-year drop for the seventh month in a row, official figures have shown.

The typical UK house sold for £205,974, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) said, as prices went up by 0.6% over the month but decreased by 0.4% over the year.

The figures, released as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), said demand for property in the UK rose during November, with an increase in new buyer inquiries for the third month in a row, the first time the market has enjoyed such an extended period of demand growth

More landlords should consider buying "hassle free" new build homes which are instantly ready for occupancy upon completion makng them ideal buy-to-let investments, according to north-London based estate agency Robert Anthony.

Adam Feather, the company's managing director, says that new homes are a "landlords dream" because they do not require any modifications and are immediately ready to let out to tenants.

"We have been inundated with tenant enquiries all year, but among the most popular homes are new build properties, because they are contemporary and often consist of energy efficient

Remember that there are only a few remaining auctions taking place this month before the Christmas break.  The auctions finish at the end of next week and will not begin again until early February - catalogues for 2012 will start being released towards mid January.  Unsold lots from the past month's auctions are being uploaded into our database on a daily basis - so keep a look out and make sure you contact the auctioneer to find out more about any of the available lots that may catch your eye!

House hunters in the North West have received a boost to their chances of finding affordable new homes in Cheshire thanks to a deal between Bovis Homes and Cheshire East Council, which makes three new two-bedroom cottages at the Brook Valley development in Congleton available with a special Local Home Ownership Scheme.

The lucky owners who qualify for the scheme can pick up one of these new properties for just 70% of their market value - £103,250. Local house hunters who would like to know more about the scheme should contact the housebuilder straight away to find out more, as these new

SELL YOUR HOUSE AT AUCTION!

If you're wanting a quick and stress free house sale, then auction might be the right route for you. Get the ball rolling today by requesting a free, no obligation property valuation from one of our auctioneers.

Complete this short form http://www.ukauctionlist.com/selling/property-valuation-free-real-estate-appraisal or give us a ring on 0845 0536906, and we will arrange a free valuation of your property to see whether it is suitable for auction.

Benefits of selling your property at auction include:

• Exchange of contracts on the day of the auction sale