We spoke to Ravinder Varaich of Talking Houses to discover how Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire has helped to build her portfolio and those of her investors.
When it comes to property investment, certainty, speed and transparency are not just priorities, they are operational necessities. Talking Houses, a Hull-based end-to-end property investment company, has found all three through its relationship with Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire,
To find out more about their experience buying property at auction, we spoke to Company Director Ravinder Varaich.
Who is Talking Houses?
Talking Houses is a Hull-based property investment company offering a complete end-to-end service: sourcing properties, managing refurbishment, and securing tenants on behalf of both the company’s own portfolio and those of its investor clients.
The company primarily focuses on freehold properties with standard construction across the Hull & East Yorkshire area, which can range from two-bedroom terraces to 14-bedroom HMOs. Refurbishments are typically higher-end, with costs running to around £30,000 to £35,000 for a three-bedroom terrace.
With approximately 70 properties purchased in the last full year of trading, efficient and dependable acquisition is not a preference; it is a business requirement.
“It’s all about timing,” explained Ravinder. “We need to get in there, do the work, and get out so that we can get it rented as soon as possible.”
Why do professional property investors choose auction over estate agents?
For a business operating at Talking Houses’ volume, the traditional estate agent route can introduce unwelcome delays.
“You can sometimes put a lot of work into the pre-purchase process,” said Ravinder. “This isn’t just the viewings; you may also have invested time into working out the figures and perhaps finding a client who wants that property. With traditional purchases, we’ve sometimes had properties fall through because either the chain’s collapsed or the vendor has pulled out. This can be really problematic if a client has set their heart on a particular property.”
Collapsed chains, withdrawn vendors, and indeterminate timelines create operational headaches for any investor. At the scale Talking Houses operates, with multiple build teams to coordinate simultaneously, the consequences are magnified. Auction removes that uncertainty. Once a sale is agreed, completion dates are fixed and the transaction is legally binding from the point the hammer falls.
How does buying at auction support refurbishment planning?
For Talking Houses, one of the most tangible benefits of the auction process is the ability to plan refurbishment programmes with confidence well ahead of completion.
“Knowing the date of completion is really helpful, because we have quite a few build teams and we have to prioritise and diarise. The assurance of knowing what date we’re going to complete is therefore key. There’s the security of the sale too,” said Ravinder.
This operational certainty means build teams can be scheduled, materials ordered, and project timelines set from the moment an offer is accepted. For a business that needs to move from acquisition to tenanted property as quickly as possible, that clarity is directly tied to revenue.
Working with Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire
Talking Houses began purchasing through Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire after discovering the business through property listings. The relationship has since become a consistent part of how the company sources stock across the region.
Beyond the process itself, Ravinder highlights the accessibility and transparency of the Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire team as a significant factor.
“I’ve found Romilly really easy to talk to. I can just pick up the phone and talk things through. I’ve also found Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire to be really transparent, which is so important because there isn’t a lot of wriggle room with the auction process; you’ve got tight deadlines to get finances together and get completion done.”
For investors newer to the auction process, that kind of direct, responsive communication can make a meaningful difference, particularly when timelines are tight and decisions need to be made quickly.
Case in focus: 91 Jalland Street, Hull
One recent purchase that demonstrates these advantages is 91 Jalland Street in Hull.
The property was identified as a strong investment due to its location in a predominantly owner-occupied area, which suggested a stable, long-term tenant profile. Its proximity to good schools further increased its appeal to families.
Because the property was listed for auction, Ravinder was able to put in a pre-auction offer with the confidence that the completion date would be fixed and the transaction secure.
Refurbishment works, including a new kitchen and bathroom, new flooring, and a full skim and repaint throughout, were then completed over eight weeks at a total cost of £25,000.
Would you recommend Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire?
“I would definitely recommend Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire. I’ve found them to be really, really helpful, and Romilly is so quick to come back to me; she’s been so easy to deal with.”
Interested in buying investment property through auction in Hull & East Yorkshire?
Whether you are an experienced investor or exploring auction for the first time, Auction House Hull & East Yorkshire offers a straightforward, transparent route to acquiring residential property across the region.
Call the team on 0845 400 9900 or email hullandey@auctionhouse.co.uk to find out what is coming up in the next auction.
