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Real Estate Auction Action - Buying A Home At Auction by:Jakob Jelling
Due in part to the popularity of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s home auction program, more potential homebuyers than ever are buying homes at auction. Homes for auction aren't limited to just HUD, however. Many government entities auction homes for payment of back taxes, and some homeowners even auction their homes on eBay.com!
Homebuyers considering buying a home at auction should take some steps in advance to help them with their bid price, and even whether to bid at all on a specific home. There will always be a degree of risk when buying a home this way, but with a little diligence, potential homebuyers could save a lot of money buying in this manner.
Before the auction, you should have your financing arranged, and have enough cash on hand or in your bank account to cover a deposit on your purchase. You need to check the features, location, condition, and ownership history first. Afterwards, be sure to learn what the property is worth by looking at sales of comparable properties in the same area. Compare homes with the same number of rooms is possible, but be sure to allow for price differences due to pools, decks, carpeting, window treatments, etc.
At the auction itself, resist the temptation to get into a personal bidding war, just "to beat out the other guy". Have a set price limit and stick to it. Other houses will come along, and you don't have to win the first auction that comes your way.
You should know that the price of a home at auction is typically the loan balance (if foreclosed), plus any back taxes owed, plus legal fees and other expenses in foreclosing the property. This will typically be the opening bid amount, and the price will go up from there. Even so, it's possible to get a great deal in an auctioned house, with a little research and planning first.
Also, know that you probably won't be able to get an inspection, and are buying the home "as is". If you can't do any needed repair work yourself, or can't hire it done within your budget, you may not end up getting such a bargain in the end.
About the author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate. Dealing With Dual Real Estate Agents by:Jakob Jelling Mortgage Prepayment Penalties - Just Say No by:Jakob Jelling Monaco Might Lose Its Status of Personal Income Tax Haven by:Laura Ciocan Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others by:Michael Beck Is Accumulating a Net Worth of $1,000,000 Easy? Yes and No by:Mike Matthews Is Accumulating a $1,000,000 Net Worth Easy? Yes and NO by:Mike Matthews Build Your Business (on a shoestring): Hire a College Intern by:Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff Passwords and the Human Factor by:Terrence F. Doheny Seminars: Why Are They Popular, and What Advantages/Disadvantages Are There to Attending One? by:Vishal P. Rao Don't Give Presentations Or Speeches. Give Leadership Talks Instead. by:Brent Filson Customer Service - A Lost Art? by:Craig Binkley Your Own Home Business - Dream or Reality? by:Craig Binkley Getting Your Family Involved In Your Home Business by:Craig Binkley