The seemingly innocuous can often be the star performers in property auctions.

This is clearly illustrated by the latest Carter Jonas auction at the Francis Hotel in Bath on March 23, where the first lot was an attractive semi detached house at 35, The Green, Goatacre, near Calne, with a guide price of £100,000 to £120,000.

It needs complete modernisation but the buzz in the room demonstrated that it was being viewed as an exciting opportunity to create a home to individual taste and design. The result was a winning bid of £137,000.

A lock-up single garage in the middle of a block of three in Wells Road, Bath, brought an enthusiastic response when presented to bidders.

The need to keep a car dry or have extra storage saw it race way past its guide price of £15,000 to £20,000, with the hammer falling at £35,000.

A detached two bedroom cottage in Bannerdown Road in the popular village of Batheaston also drew interest. It requires total renovation but the result will be an attractive home constructed of Bath stone once the work is completed. It achieved the top guide price of £100,000.

Negotiations are continuing to sell the two remaining lots, an investment arcade of shops in Bridewell Street, Devizes, and a former gate lodge at Monkton Combe.

“When there’s an older and slightly neglected property to dispose of, an auction often represents the best way to go about it,” explains Arthur Chambers, auctions manager for Carter Jonas.

“The Goatacre semi was a probate sale and demonstrates that basically sound houses in pleasant areas can have potential to bring a serious sale price when presented in the right way. The strong bidding clearly showed that our approach to marketing the house reached the right people.

“The Batheaston house sold for way beyond a private offer the owner received earlier this year, again proving that an auction where the property has a realistic guide price can entice the bidders to perform. While the owner did well, I also think the winning bidder recognises that the potential for the house once it is rejuvenated makes it a sound proposition.

“The garage sale also brought an excellent result and demonstrates how securing a car or obtaining additional storage close to where you live can be achieved. It also has rental potential because of its location that could see quite a healthy annual return on the investment.”

The next Carter Jonas auction in Bath will be held at the Francis Hotel on May 25, with a deadline for entries of April 13. There are already some interesting lots in the catalogue, including a 45 acre pasture farm in North Wiltshire. For more details, contact Arthur Chambers on 01249 706070 or email auctions@carterjonas.co.uk