So what is Secure Sale?

What this means for you and what happens next...

If you’re buying or selling a property via the modern method of auction (also known as a secure sale), this is the moment it all becomes real.

The Auction / Secure Sale agreement is the formal commitment from both buyer and seller to move forward under auction terms. It locks in the key details - including timescales, fees, and conditions - and crucially, it removes a lot of the uncertainty typically associated with private treaty sales.

Unlike traditional auctions, this method gives the buyer a set reservation period (usually 56 days for Modern Auction and 90 days for Secure Sale) to exchange and complete. This provides more flexibility while still giving both sides added security.

Once this agreement is signed, your property journey officially begins.

As soon as the secure sale agreement is signed, the seller’s conveyancer will order the legal pack. This includes the title documents, searches, property information forms, and any relevant warranties or planning permissions.

Of course, if you've already done the above with Open Moove from instruction, we will share this with your Mooving Team on your behalf.

Think of it as your property’s CV - a complete picture of its legal standing.

The sooner this is ordered, the smoother things run later.

If you’re a buyer, reviewing this early helps you make a more informed decision and reduces the risk of any nasty surprises down the line.

With the agreement in place and the legal pack on the way, the next step is to launch the property to market.

Auction properties are often listed on the major portals just like any standard listing - but with some key differences. These include a clear reservation fee, fixed timescales, and often a guide or starting bid price rather than an asking price.

Marketing is critical here. Your agent’s role is to drive as many eyes - and offers - as possible within a limited window. Open Moove keeps you in the loop on buyer interest, viewing feedback, and offers received.

It’s all about transparency, speed, and creating the right level of urgency.

Once the legal pack is complete, it’s time for serious buyers to review everything carefully.

The completed pack gives all potential purchasers the legal clarity they need to make an informed bid. This includes searches, title documents, the TA6 property information form, and any associated certificates or guarantees.

At this point, we recommend buyers share the legal pack with their chosen solicitor for review. If anything needs clarifying, it’s far better to address it now - not weeks into conveyancing.

With everything ready and transparent up front, the process becomes faster, less stressful, and less likely to fall through.

Once the buyer decides to proceed, they must pay a reservation fee. This non-refundable fee shows commitment to the sale and ensures both parties are fully invested in progressing.

The reservation fee doesn’t go toward the purchase price - instead, it covers the auctioneer’s cost and locks in exclusivity for the buyer to proceed without fear of being gazumped.

From here, both parties move forward with a clear timeline, full visibility, and confidence that the sale is secure.

The final pre-conveyancing milestone is the reservation form.

This document confirms that the buyer has paid the fee, agreed to the terms of sale, and understands the deadline for exchange and completion. It outlines everyone’s responsibilities and provides a clear framework for moving forward.

Once this is signed, the conveyancing process begins in earnest. From this point on, standard buying/selling milestones apply - but with a much higher degree of certainty than a typical sale.

The Open Moove platform will keep you updated throughout, offering complete transparency at every stage.