Looking to invest in buying a house? You may not have thought of property auctions. It’s one of the fastest and easiest channels to acquire a property, but also comes with higher risks. That said, with a good auction strategy, you can get the best deal for your dream home or investment portfolio.
If you’re like most beginner investors, youâre intimidated by the entire auction process. In this guide, we share the basics of house auctions. We tell you:
Ready? Letâs begin!
Real estate auction refers to the public sale of a property to bidders at a forum conducted by a licensed auctioneer. The property can be sold by a homeowner, government, bank, or homebuilder.
The bidder with the highest offer usually gets the property, but not in all scenarios, such as reserve auctions (more on this below).
There are several reasons a house could end up for auction. The most common ones include:
The house auction process starts with the seller, who sets a minimum sale price, known as the âreserve priceâ, in writing. The reserve price is not revealed to prospective bidders before the auction.
On the day of the auction, the licensed auctioneer announces the attributes of the property and any other relevant details, including the deposit required and restrictions on the title. The auctioneer then announces or calls for an opening bid, usually the reserve price. The price is then raised progressively as more buyers place their bids.
Once the reserve price has been reached or exceeded, the auctioneer will indicate so by saying something like âthis property will sell today.â The person with the highest bid wins and completes the transaction, which is then signed and accepted by the auctioneer on the sellerâs behalf.
That marks the end of the sales contract.
Generally, when a property is sold at an auction, the settlement process is similar to when a home is sold. Youâll be required to pay between 5-10 percent of the purchase price as a deposit when the contract is signed. The balance is cleared at the date of settlement, which is typically 30 days after the auction date.
Regardless of whether the auction is held online or in-person, it can be conducted in one of three ways. An auction company may apply one or all of these types in a single auction, depending on the preferences of the property owner.
It’s possible to find your dream property at a tremendous price at an auction since the lender is eager to cut their losses and recoup the balance due on the mortgage and the foreclosure costs.
That means, you can enjoy benefits like:
Auction properties are associated with various risks:
If youâve set your mind on buying a house at an auction, you must tread carefully to avoid making the most expensive mistake of your life. Here are guiding tips to help you make sound financial decisions:
As a real estate investor, you should always plan your payment options in advance. Each auction has unique requirements, but youâll most likely need cash to pay for the property in full immediately after winning the auction or after a specified time period.
You will also need to have the deposit amount (usually 5-10 percent of the purchase price) paid at the close of the auction when the sales contract is executed.
In some cases, you may be given 24 hours to complete the payment, failure to which may result in forfeiting your deposit and being banned from future auctions. Therefore, prepare to show proof of funds.
You can also buy a house at auction with a mortgage, as long as you have good standing with your lender. If the auction allows financed purchases, you may be required to get prequalified before the auction date. Some auctions may require that you work with their affiliated lenders, who will be available on-site.
If you donât qualify for a mortgage, you may explore alternative financing options like bridge loans or hard money loans, and specialist auction finance.
Youâll be investing a lot of money in the property. So, it goes without saying that you should do thorough research on the home before investing. Remember, there are potential risks and benefits of buying a house at an auction. You want to weigh these risks and rewards to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
In most cases, you might not be able to get a proper inspection before buying the investment property. This means you could end up replacing the entire roof or wiring system, or encounter other problems you didnât anticipate.
Therefore, be sure to do your own checks on the property through the local council and relevant authorities to see if you can find the homeâs history and probably get photos of the interior.
You should also drive through the neighborhood, peek through the window, and make sure no one is living in the house. Most importantly, research the local market to form your own view about the propertyâs value.
As part of your due diligence, you want to make sure the house has a clean title. Conducting a search will show you if the property has pending legal or occupant issues. It’s advisable to hire an attorney or a title company to run a title search.
As for tax liens – unpaid debt attached to the home – make sure there aren’t any. You donât want to inherit a house with pending liens, as this will mean more money out of your pocket.
Whether you’re making a cash payment or being financed, always work with a budget. The key to success in real estate investment is to know oneâs limit when it comes to purchasing a property. This way, youâll know when to walk away and avoid overpaying for an auction home.
To help you determine important factors like minimum bid amount, acceptable offer, and auction rules, be sure you understand the type of auction. The minimum bid amount gives you an idea of how much money youâll need to bring or commit. Knowing the acceptable offer helps you avoid overpaying or walking away empty-handed.
Most auctioneers require you to register either in-person or online. If it’s an in-person auction, arrive at the venue at least an hour early, sign in with the auctioneer and get your bidder card. You may be required to put down the deposit amount to prove you’re a serious buyer.
Once the bidding commences, maintain calmness, and donât let emotions and excitement run the show. Buying a house is a big expense that comes with many responsibilities. So, you want to bid wisely.
If the auction closes and you’re the successful bidder, be ready to finalize the deal as per the auction rules. You may be required to pay the full amount immediately or at least put down a deposit within 24 hours.
In some states, you can obtain ownership immediately, while others allow a redemption period. This is when the owner whoâs just lost their home due to unpaid taxes or loan default can rebuy it within a specified period.
If you purchase a home at auction and it’s later redeemed by the original owner, youâll get a refund for your purchase. The only way to guarantee ownership is once the title is issued with your name on it.
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Buying a house at auction can be a tricky and daunting endeavor. Use this guide to learn how real estate auctions work. A useful rule of thumb is to understand the risks, do your due diligence, research the market, and bid wisely.
You may want to seek the services of a real estate attorney â specifically one experienced with foreclosure sales â to get a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and liabilities of buying an auction home. In addition, consider attending a few auctions beforehand to get a sense of how things work.