As property auction sales soar in Liverpool, across the river in Wirral Smith and Sons is reporting a surge in interest ahead of its latest auction in July. Tony McDonough reports

Wirral property firm Smith and Sons is reporting a “staggering” level of demand from potential buyers ahead of its latest property auction.

At the end of May, LBN reported that Liverpool-based Sutton Kersh had already generated sales of £36m from three auctions so far in 2021. And Smith and Sons are now offering more evidence of a booming local market.

Building on the success of its last auction which achieved a 100% success rate, Smith and Sons released details of the July sale on July 7 and has been met by a “massive influx” of calls and enquiries. Similar to other events over the past year, the auction will be held online.

Auctioneer Chris Johnson said: “The rate of interest is quite staggering – there is so much interest in the property market at the moment and that doesn’t in any way appear to be wavering.

“The auction room, or virtual room, can often act as a barometer for the wider sector and indeed, we are seeing an incredibly active market across the board.”

There are 34 lots available in the auction ranging from a retail unit/ store in Rock Ferry guided at £10,000 to the Riverhill restaurant in Oxton, with development potential, guided at £800,000.

Somewhat different, but gaining strong traction is a converted barn in Frankby, guided at £190-210,000. There are several residential and commercial investments with excellent and attractive yields, development land and a number of houses suitable for refurbishment.

These include a house backing on to Birkenhead Park, in four flats and guided at £430,000. Mr Johnson added: “We are now carrying out viewings for all the lots and are seeing momentum gather at a rapid speed. I’m looking forward to seeing how the sale goes on the day, in what I anticipate to be, an extremely busy auction.”