ANDREW Morris Estate Agents are pleased to report that two properties offered for auction recently realised nearly half a million pounds.

The first property offered for sale was 16 Priory Place, Grandstand Road, Hereford - a detached, three bedroom bungalow overlooking Widemarsh Common with a very large garden with possible residential development, subject to planning consent being obtained.

The bidding was brisk and having opened at £220,000 the bidding soon rose briskly and the property was finally sold as the hammer fell at £281,000 with a sale to Mr and Mrs Lawer.

Lot 2 was a detached, non-traditionally built bungalow located on Broadmoor Common and backing onto Haugh Woods in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This one saw the bidding open at £140,000 and again rose briskly to £203,000 where it was sold to Mr and Mrs Duke of Clifford near Hay-on-Wye.

Auctioneer Andrew Morris was delighted with the outcome of the two sales for his clients and said "Once again the auction method of sale does give vendors an opportunity to secure a sale on the day where the contract will be signed in the room and deposit paid with a confirmed completion date four weeks after the auction.

"Certainly where a property attracts the amount of interest that we had on these two properties the figures obtained can reassure the vendor that the best possible price has been achieved for the property, having undertaken six weeks marketing and then a public auction of proceedable purchasers.

"Auction is a suitable way for certain properties whereby the purchaser and vendor are both happy with the result as they know that everything is legal and binding when they leave the auction room.

Andrew Morris, who has been auctioning property for many years in Hereford continued "The art of the auction is that the auctioneer has to be confident that the property that he is putting under the hammer will meet with a good amount of interest and will be able to secure a figure above the reserve price set by the vendor. Auction now is a very popular method of securing a sale and the amount of television coverage has highlighted the benefits of auction sales which benefit both the purchaser and the vendor".

Andrew Morris Estate Agents and Auctioneers will now be looking to hold another auction in the early summer and full details, valuations and auction advice can be given by telephoning Andrew Morris on Hereford 266775 and speaking to either Andrew Morris or Craig Sewell.