Further reading
EIG and Hammered Collaborate to Educate: 'Before the Hammer Falls' Free for New Members
As part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best resources and insight in the property auction industry, Essential Information Group (EIG) is delighted to be gifting our new members a complimentary copy of the acclaimed book 'Before the Hammer Falls'. We started the pilot in 2020, and we're delighted to announce it's become a core part of EIG's member offering.
Penned by industry veterans and Hammered founders Jay Howard and Piotr Rusinek, 'Before the Hammer Falls' demystifies the auction process, offering invaluable guidance for both novice and seasoned investors alike. EIG's own founder, David Sandeman, provided a comment for the book, sharing insights from his storied career in the UK property industry.
David Sandeman is not only the founder of EIG but is also an integral contributor to the property auction industry in the UK. Known affectionately as 'the Godfather of UK auctions', David regularly provides his expert analysis to institutions such as HMRC and the Bank of England, helping to shape an accurate understanding of the UK property market.
EIG's mission is to ensure every investor has access to the most comprehensive and accurate auction information. As the only website in the UK that provides information on every upcoming auction and past properties sold, EIG has established itself as the industry standard for auction information. To date, EIG's extensive database contains details of over 850,000 properties.
In addition to this wealth of data, EIG believes in the importance of education and understanding. 'Before the Hammer Falls' aligns perfectly with this ethos, providing an essential tool for anyone looking to buy, sell, or trade at property auction.
We are delighted to collaborate with Hammered in extending this gift to our new members. We believe that this book, coupled with the resources on our platform, will empower our members to make informed decisions and succeed in the property auction industry.
For more information about EIG, and to sign up as a new member, visit our website at eigpropertyauctions.co.uk.
Hammered founders Jay Howard and Piotr Rusinek
Piotr Rusinek & David Sandeman
Essential Information Group - News and Information
Keep up to date with our latest news, case studies and what's going on in the property auction industry on our blog.
Buying at auction
25/03/2026
The Most Important Document in the Legal Pack? The One That’s Missing.
Legal packs are often treated as the definitive source of truth in a property transaction. But in reality, they are anything but complete. While they provide essential information, they are built to meet minimum requirements - not to offer full transparency. And in many cases, it’s not what’s included that creates risk, but what’s missing.
Buying at auction
24/03/2026
Guide Prices: Why Buyers Should Treat Them as a Guide to the Reserve
Guide prices are one of the most misunderstood elements of the auction process. Too often, buyers treat them as an indication of a property’s value, when in reality they are designed to signal something entirely different, the likely reserve. In an increasingly competitive and dynamic auction market, understanding this distinction is critical to making informed decisions and avoiding costly assumptions.
Buying at auction
23/03/2026
There’s So Much More Than the Aroma of Hot Coffee…
There’s so much more to selling a property than creating the perfect first impression. While details like fresh coffee, open windows, and careful staging can help set the scene, today’s buyers are looking for something far more important - clarity, confidence, and certainty. And that doesn’t come from how a property feels, but from how well it’s prepared behind the scenes.