Auction Basics3 min read
How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? A Buyer’s Guide
A practical walkthrough of the property auction process—from researching a listing to bidding responsibly and completing the post-win steps.
Read the guideAuction14 field notes
Better research makes a better bid.
Plain-language guides for researching distressed property, understanding auction rules, calculating total cost, and preparing for the post-win workflow.
20
Buyer guides
Built around the questions that appear before, during, and after an auction.
Explore by topicAuction BasicsDue DiligenceForeclosure & REOFinancing & ClosingBidding Strategy
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The buyer essentials
Auction Basics
How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? A Buyer’s Guide
A practical walkthrough of the property auction process—from researching a listing to bidding responsibly and completing the post-win steps.
02 / Due Diligence
Buying a House at Auction: The Complete Checklist
A repeatable pre-auction checklist for documents, condition, occupancy, title questions, total cost, funding, and closing readiness.
03 / Auction Basics
What Is a Buyer’s Premium in a Real Estate Auction?
Learn how a buyer’s premium changes the total purchase price, how percentage and minimum premiums work, and what it does not include.
Research library
All property auction guides
Educational information only. Property-specific documents and applicable law always control.
Auction Basics
Due Diligence2 min read
Buying a House at Auction: The Complete Checklist
A repeatable pre-auction checklist for documents, condition, occupancy, title questions, total cost, funding, and closing readiness.
Read the guide
Auction Basics2 min read
What Is a Buyer’s Premium in a Real Estate Auction?
Learn how a buyer’s premium changes the total purchase price, how percentage and minimum premiums work, and what it does not include.
Read the guideDue Diligence5 min read
How to Find a Parcel Number by Address
Use an address to locate the official tax parcel record, then check that it matches the land or unit you are researching. Includes New York and New Jersey examples and common lookup problems.
Read the guideForeclosure & REO5 min read
How to Find REO Properties: Sources and Verification Steps
Start with identified sellers and trace each listing back to its current source. This guide shows where to search for REO homes and how to build a shortlist worth investigating.
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Due Diligence5 min read
What to Look for When Buying Land: A Buyer’s Checklist
A vacant lot can look simple until you investigate access, permitted uses and site costs. Use this checklist to separate a promising parcel from one that cannot support your plans.
Read the guideDue Diligence3 min read
Buying Land at Auction in New York: What to Check
An inexpensive parcel can be costly to use. Research whether the land can support your intended project before deciding what to bid.
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Due Diligence3 min read
REO Property Inspection: A Buyer's Checklist
An REO inspection helps you understand the building you may buy. The most useful report separates observed conditions, untested systems, and follow-up work.
Read the guideAuction Basics3 min read
How to Buy Bank-Owned Homes: A Practical Guide
Buying a bank-owned home starts with verifying the seller and sale method. Use this sequence to move from a promising listing to a researched purchase decision.
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Financing & Closing2 min read
What Happens After Winning a Property Auction?
Winning the bid starts a time-sensitive workflow. Prepare for buyer verification, proof of funds, contracts, payment, title work, and closing.
Read the guideBidding Strategy2 min read
Reserve Prices, Bid Increments, and Anti-Sniping Explained
Four auction mechanics can change how bidding feels. Learn what each one means and how to keep your maximum bid in control.
Read the guideBidding Strategy2 min read
How to Calculate Your Maximum Bid on an Auction Property
Turn property research into a walk-away number by working backward from value and subtracting every acquisition, repair, holding, and risk cost.
Read the guideDue Diligence2 min read
What Does “As-Is” Mean for an Auction Property?
As-is shifts condition investigation and repair planning toward the buyer. It does not turn missing information into a safe assumption.
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Financing & Closing2 min read
Proof of Funds for a Real Estate Auction: What to Prepare
Proof of funds helps confirm that a winning buyer can complete the transaction. Prepare clear, current documents before the auction closes.
Read the guideForeclosure & REO2 min read
New York Foreclosure Auctions: A Buyer Preparation Guide
A New York-focused preparation framework covering sale documents, title and occupancy questions, funding, bidding limits, and post-sale deadlines.
Read the guideForeclosure & REO2 min read
Foreclosure vs. REO: What Property Buyers Should Know
Foreclosure and bank-owned properties sit at different stages of the process. Compare ownership, access, funding, title, and closing considerations.
Read the guideDue Diligence2 min read
Auction Property Due Diligence: 12 Checks Before You Bid
Twelve repeatable checks for researching an auction property, documenting unknowns, calculating total cost, and setting a defensible maximum bid.
Read the guideFinancing & Closing2 min read
Can You Finance an Auction Property? Questions to Ask First
Financing may be possible for some auction properties, but the sale timeline and property condition must fit the lender’s process before you bid.
Read the guideDue Diligence2 min read
Occupied vs. Vacant Auction Properties: Why It Matters
Occupancy affects access, possession timing, condition risk, insurance, security, and cost. Learn how to treat it as a core due-diligence question.
Read the guideDue Diligence2 min read
Auction Property Title Searches, Liens, and Buyer Questions
A title search can reveal ownership and recorded interests, but buyers still need to understand the sale terms and which obligations may survive.
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