We’re Jay Howard and Piotr Rusinek—UK-based property traders with over 40 years combined buying and selling at auction. Together, we’re HAMMERED.
How it Started
Piotr’s Story
Piotr discovered auctions in the unlikeliest of places—a silent Vipassana retreat. After ten days of meditative silence, a conversation with a fellow attendee led him to his first live auction, armed with a mandate to secure three properties for his boss. With zero experience and maximum adrenaline, he outbid a major estate agent on a Maida Vale block of flats, flipping one property for a £50k profit—on the spot. That first win hooked him on auctions, where strategy and nerve collide, and he’s been thriving in this fast-paced world ever since.
Jay’s Story
From managing a £3.3 billion family trust portfolio to becoming Head of Auctions at Auction House London, Jay’s journey in property has been anything but boring. His sharp instincts have guided thousands of high-stakes transactions, but his love of auctions wasn’t just born in the boardroom—it was forged through adventure. While on an archaeological dig in Egypt, Jay was kidnapped—not once, but twice—and negotiated his way to freedom with the same nerve and precision he now brings to the auction room.
How it’s Going
Together we’re HAMMERED—a powerhouse in the world of property auctions. We’ve advised on, and participated in, buying and selling over £700 million worth of auction properties, including everything from single flats to multi-million-pound portfolios.
Our Auction Buyers Club is the go-to hub for serious investors, connecting a network of dealmakers, strategists, and auction pros. Our mastermind retreats? They’re where the UK’s top traders come to sharpen their game, forge connections, and lay the foundations for their next big wins.
Through our books, YouTube channel, and online course, we’re making auctions accessible to everyone—from corporate climbers breaking into property to seasoned investors scaling their portfolios.
At our core, we’re traders first. We’ve been in the trenches, made the bids, and closed the deals. Now, we’re using that expertise to help you navigate the high-stakes, high-reward auction world. We don’t just talk strategy; we live it!
Our Principles
Let’s face it—the property auction industry hasn’t always had the best reputation. It’s a world that’s historically been dominated by insider know-how, backroom deals, and a fair share of shady characters. But that’s changing—and we’re proud to be part of that change.
The shift to digital auctions since 2020 has revolutionized the game, doubling the percentage of UK homes sold at auction to 7% of the market in just four years. Auctions are no longer the domain of a select few; they’ve become a viable entry point for investors looking for opportunities and a faster, more transparent way to transact properties.
The bottom line: we’re here to make auctions work for everyone. Whether you’re a first-time bidder or a seasoned trader, we’re leveling the playing field—one deal at a time.