Land and property owners across England and Wales can now sell online through a new digital service launched this month by the largest land and property auction house in the South.

Clive Emson Auctioneers Online complements the firm's live auctions held every six weeks at five venues from Essex to Cornwall.

Lots from the property listings are sold upon the 'fall' of the electronic gavel, with bids placed via smartphones, handheld electronic devices and computers. Sellers pick a reserve price, finishing date and time.

Bidders, who must undergo statutory anti-money laundering checks, can download each lot's legal documents, then make offers in the run up to the cut-off date and time.

Once the clock reaches zero, the highest bid is accepted (if above reserve).

As in live auctions, the fall of the gavel means immediate purchase and exchange, with completion within 28 days and all of the legal responsibilities that entails.

To further benefit sellers, there is a 15 minute extension if there is a flurry of bids in the last five minutes to the original cut-off time. This deters multiple bidders from holding back until the last moment.

James Emson, Managing Director, said: "The online auction platform means we can reach vendors and buyers who cannot make live auctions. It also gives peace of mind because we are a well-regarded, trusted market leader with 27 years' experience.

"At the heart of our new digital service, Clive Emson Auctioneers Online, is transparency - everyone knows what is happening, 24/7.

"From a buyer's point of view, the listing means they have access to auction properties, with income or sell-on potential, which were previously unknown to them due to geographical restrictions which are unavoidable with live auctions.

"The wind is strengthening with online property, so it makes sense to increase our share of the digital market while continuing to grow our popular live auctions. This is about responding to how people want to do business - from the comfort of their smartphone.

"We anticipate keen interest from both sides of the auction process, including 'calculator' bidders involved in portfolios of buy-to-lets and ground rents, where geography is not a strategic factor.

"Internet bidding is already part of our commercial DNA here as we provide a remote bidding service for live auctions; the online listings are a natural progression of this, taking in England and Wales and not just the regions we're well established in.

"Inevitably, comparisons will be drawn with eBay - there are similarities but there would be logistical difficulties in parcelling up a house and have it couriered to the buyer!

However, there is one difference - there is a legally binding contract and deposit taken immediately with the Clive Emson model."

Representatives of Clive Emson Auctioneers, which employs 50 people and is headquartered in Maidstone, will carry out on-site valuations and arrange for legal packs to be made available electronically.

For more details see www.cliveemson.co.uk/index.php/online/