{"id":98348,"date":"2026-01-09T09:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T17:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=98348"},"modified":"2026-01-09T09:33:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T17:33:57","slug":"real-estate-auctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? Buying a Home at Auction"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a home at auction may give you a lower price, but you could risk overpaying.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auctions are held online or in person, but you\u2019ll need to show proof of funds in advance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research the property in advance to identify red flags, such as liens or major repairs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-a-home\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">homebuying process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> involves a lot of steps; however, there are non-traditional ways you can buy a home. One of these options is buying a home at auction. Buying at auction can move faster than a traditional sale, but it also offers fewer protections for buyers. If you\u2019ve never heard of buying a house at auction, this Redfin article will outline the process for you. We\u2019ll answer your questions about how real estate auctions work and what to bring on auction day. Whether you\u2019re considering a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/15702\/PA\/Pittsburgh\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home in Pittsburgh, PA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or are house-hunting in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/35711\/NC\/Raleigh\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raleigh, NC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here\u2019s how you can buy a house at auction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a real estate auction?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A real estate auction is a public sale of a property, either by a homeowner, homebuilder, the government, or a bank. Properties are typically sold to the highest bidder, though some auctions allow sellers to reject bids below a certain price. The most common type of auction is of bank-owned properties, where the bank auctions a home instead of selling it as a foreclosure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reasons homes may be sold at auction<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Properties may be sold at a real estate auction for a variety of reasons, but these are the most common.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Foreclosure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lenders or banks may assume ownership of a property where the homeowner has defaulted on their loan. They may sell the home at auction to recoup the money they have already lost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tax delinquency or other law violation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If someone fails to pay their taxes and owes the government a lot of money, or if they have violated some other type of federal law, the government can seize their property and then auction it off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Estate sales:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If someone has inherited a home they don\u2019t want to keep, they may opt to auction off the home. This can also occur if there are disagreements between inheritors, financial problems, or a desire for a quick sale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Homebuilders with high inventory: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homebuilders may choose to auction a group of homes to sell them all at once, especially if they have sat on the market for a while without much interest from buyers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do real estate auctions work?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Housing auctions vary, with some guaranteeing the sale to the highest bidder, while others allow sellers to reject bids that are too low. Auctions are held online or in person. Knowing the types of real estate auctions and bidding structures can help you decide if it\u2019s right for you and your budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of real estate auctions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three common types of real estate auctions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Minimum bid auction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There is a minimum price that the auctioneer will accept, and it is generally published in the auction listing materials. The auction bidding will start with this pre-determined number.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Absolute auction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The property is sold to the highest bidder, regardless of price. There is no minimum bid and no option for the seller to reject the winning offer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reserve auction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The seller picks a minimum bid they are willing to accept, but bidders do not know what this price is. The seller has the right to review the bids and accept or reject the highest offer within a set period of time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of auction bids<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At an auction, there are two primary types of bidding structures:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Blind bidding: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll submit a bid without knowing what the competing bidders have offered. This option can be advantageous to sellers who may receive a much higher bid than expected. This format can increase the risk of overpaying, especially for less experienced buyers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Open bidding:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll submit bids knowing what the other bidders are offering. This option gives every bidder the opportunity to continue bidding until the highest bidder wins.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online vs in-person auctions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you envision an auction, you likely think of an in-person event. There are many auctions offered in person or online, so we\u2019ll cover the difference:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Online auction: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many homes listed for auction are through online auctions, with a set time and date. Competition is usually tougher as it appeals to a larger group of buyers. However, it can be more convenient to attend multiple auctions online rather than traveling to an in-person auction. You\u2019ll likely need to pre-register online and provide proof of funds in advance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In-person auction:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally, auctions have been held in person, with the date, time, and location published online or in papers. You\u2019ll need to attend the auction in person to show proof of funds and bid on the property. Each auctioneer may have different bidding rules, but the auction will typically go on until the highest bidder wins.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to bring to a real estate auction<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you sign up for an auction, there will be requirements ahead of time and on the day of the auction. Here are some of the common items you need to bring on auction day.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cash, certified check, or cashier\u2019s check:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To pay auction fees, bidding fees, and an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-earnest-money\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">earnest money<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> deposit on the home. Sometimes proof of funds is needed in order to register for the auction.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Loan documentation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If financing is permitted in the auction, bring your proof of financing that shows you are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/mortgage-pre-approval\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-approve<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">d to purchase the property.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Photo ID:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To show proof of your identity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to buy a home at auction in 6 steps<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a home at an auction requires a different approach than the standard method of working with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/real-estate-agents\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, finding a home on the MLS, making offers, and negotiating with sellers. Here\u2019s what you need to know if you\u2019re buying a home at an auction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Research the property<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To find a home to buy at auction, you can start by reviewing auction listings. Research and learn about the homes scheduled for auction, as well as the dates, times, and locations. Your county recorder\u2019s office or website is usually the place to find this information, or you can also check resources like the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treasury.gov\/auctions\/treasury\/rp\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Treasury\u2019s Real Property Auctions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have narrowed down your options, take the time to drive by the homes and see what the condition looks like, what the neighborhood is like, and if there are any immediate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/red-flags-when-buying-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">red flags<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can look up the property online to see its history before making the decision to attend the auction.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-an-open-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">open houses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are held, allowing you to tour the property before the auction date to determine how much you\u2019re willing to spend, what renovations will be necessary, calculate your bottom line, and estimate your total investment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Determine a budget<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Determining your maximum budget is critical when buying at auction. Your bid is final &#8211; there\u2019s no negotiation afterward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have more room in your budget if you plan to live in the home as-is. You may want to lower your budget if you expect to make significant repairs or remodel or resell for a profit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some factors to help determine your budget:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Look at comparable properties:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Also called comps, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-find-real-estate-comps-in-my-area\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comparable properties<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are recently sold homes in the area that have similar features, size, and layout. Real estate agents use comps to help determine a home\u2019s value. You can also use comps to help determine what the house may be valued for.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use an affordability calculator: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/calculators\/home-affordability-calculator\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home affordability calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you determine a reasonable budget for your homebuying goals. If the auction allows you to obtain financing, you can use a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/calculators\/mortgage-calculator\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mortgage calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to see how much you can afford.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Factor in home improvement costs: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homes for sale at auction may need additional maintenance or repairs, so it\u2019s best to budget more than you think you need. According to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.angi.com\/articles\/complete-house-renovation-cost.htm\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025 study by Angi<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the average cost of a complete home renovation is $52,213, though this can be higher or lower depending on what needs to be completed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Determine closing costs and fees:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll still be expected to pay <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-are-closing-costs\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for an auctioned property, typically between 2 to 5% of the home\u2019s purchase price. Many auction companies add a \u201cbuyer\u2019s premium,\u201d which is an additional fee paid to the auction house, often around 10%.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once bidding starts, emotions can take over. Setting a hard limit ahead of time helps prevent overpaying.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Secure your financing<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At most auctions, the winning bidder is required to provide a cashier\u2019s check for the minimum amount the auction holder requires. You must pay auction fees and bidding fees as well as put down a deposit, called earnest money, before you leave the auction site. That means you\u2019ll need enough liquid assets to cover these costs, typically 5 to 20% of the home\u2019s value, in order to purchase a home at auction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some auctions do allow financing, though most do not. If you\u2019re interested in a property that\u2019s being sold at auction, find out if the auction permits financing and get pre-approved ahead of time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Register for the auction<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registering for the auction is an important part of the process, as you\u2019ll need to meet several qualifications in advance. Whether the auction is online or in person, there will be different requirements. Here are some of the common steps to expect during registration:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pre-registration: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s common for auction companies to allow or require you to pre-register for the auction. You\u2019ll typically need to submit personal information, show proof of funds, and agree to the auction company\u2019s terms and conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In-person registration: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re attending a live auction, you\u2019ll need to register when you arrive in order to complete additional paperwork, show proof of funds, and receive your bidder paddle or number. If the auction allows financing, you will likely need to show your pre-approval.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Deposit requirements:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In most cases, you will need a cashier\u2019s check, certified check, or cash for your earnest money deposit. It\u2019s often required to gain entry to the auction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Read the auction rules:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Every auction\u2019s rules differ, so read through them carefully. There are likely specific bidding rules, payment due dates, and conditions for purchasing.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Review the terms of the auction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Thoroughly read the auction\u2019s terms and conditions, information about property disclosures, and allowed bidding increments. Conducting this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/due-diligence-real-estate\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">due diligence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you understand the auction process better.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Online auction requirements:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the auction you plan to attend is online, you may need to provide your credit card information for verification. You may also need to pay a refundable deposit to secure your spot in the auction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Start the bidding\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the day of the auction, plan to arrive early, whether the house you want to bid on is first or not. You can observe how the previous auctions are going and if homes are selling for reasonable prices or not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listen carefully to the auctioneer&#8217;s rules and any new information about the home. For example, if the home is \u201csubject to all liens,\u201d you would take responsibility for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-find-liens-on-a-property\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">liens on the home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the time of purchase. Know where you want to draw the line and stick to your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Begin the closing process<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are the winning bidder on the home, you\u2019ll then proceed to pay the earnest money, bidding fees, and auction fees. From there, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/steps-to-closing-on-a-house\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">closing process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will begin, which can take around 30 to 45 days. Auction closings experience fewer delays, although it can still happen. If you miss payment deadlines, you could risk losing the house.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should you buy a house at auction? Pros and cons to consider<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auctions may seem like a great way to purchase a home at a lower price, but first-time homebuyers should exercise caution.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros of buying an auctioned property<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potentially lower purchase price<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faster closing timeline<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less buyer competition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possible investment upside if purchased below market value<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons of buying an auctioned property<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homes are often sold as-is and may need major repairs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited or no inspection opportunities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outstanding liens or title issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High risk of overpaying due to competitive bidding<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs about how real estate auctions work<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is buying a home at auction a good idea?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a home at auction can be a good idea if it matches your homebuying goals and you\u2019re prepared for any risks. You likely will not be able to get a home inspection in advance, and you could risk overpaying for the home. But if you have the room in your budget and are willing to take on major repairs, it could be a good fit for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can I avoid overpaying at an auction?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you participate in an auction, make sure that you know the maximum amount you\u2019ll bid and walk away when the bids rise higher than that amount.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> View homes for sale in your price range to get an idea of how much homes are selling for and determine a ballpark price range for the auction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a buyer\u2019s premium?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A buyer\u2019s premium (BP) is an extra fee that the winning bidder must pay. The amount goes directly to the auction house to cover their costs. Buyer\u2019s premiums can range from 10 to 25% of the purchase price. You should know the percentage in advance of the auction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I need a real estate agent to buy a house at auction?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, you\u2019re not required to work with a real estate agent if you want to buy a home at auction. A good real estate agent can give you advice on finding the right home for you, but you don\u2019t need a real estate agent when buying an auctioned property.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I have to attend auctions in person?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned above, there may be homes auctioned off online that do not require in-person attendance. However, if the auction is in person, you most likely need to attend, or you may be allowed to bid via phone or an in-person representative. The rules vary by auction; be sure to read the requirements thoroughly before signing up.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Real estate auctions can be a good idea or lead to overspending. Here\u2019s how to buy a home in an auction and things to consider before you do.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":537,"featured_media":98094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276,10756],"tags":[34618,34529,34617],"coauthors":[33440],"class_list":["post-98348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","category-featured-post","tag-buying-definition","tag-buying-faq","tag-home-buying-process"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Buy a House at Auction: What to Know | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Real estate auctions can be a good idea or lead to overspending. Here\u2019s how to buy a home in an auction and things to consider before you do.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? Buying a Home at Auction\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Real estate auctions can be a good idea or lead to overspending. Here\u2019s how to buy a home in an auction and things to consider before you do.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-09T17:34:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alison Bentley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alison Bentley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alison Bentley\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574\"},\"headline\":\"How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? Buying a Home at Auction\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-09T17:34:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2400,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"buying definition\",\"buying faq\",\"home buying process\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Buying a Home\",\"Featured Post\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Buy a House at Auction: What to Know | Redfin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-09T17:34:14+00:00\",\"description\":\"Real estate auctions can be a good idea or lead to overspending. Here\u2019s how to buy a home in an auction and things to consider before you do.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":900,\"caption\":\"buffalo ny real estate\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/real-estate-auctions\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? Buying a Home at Auction\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\",\"description\":\"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Redfin\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Redfin\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/redfinrealestate\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/redfin\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/redfin\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow\",\"https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Redfin\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574\",\"name\":\"Alison Bentley\",\"description\":\"Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Marketing Program Manager. In her 5 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability, and specializes in first-time homebuyer and seller resources. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers\u2019 markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef\u2019s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/author\\\/alison-bentley\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Buy a House at Auction: What to Know | Redfin","description":"Real estate auctions can be a good idea or lead to overspending. Here\u2019s how to buy a home in an auction and things to consider before you do.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? Buying a Home at Auction","og_description":"Real estate auctions can be a good idea or lead to overspending. Here\u2019s how to buy a home in an auction and things to consider before you do.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/","og_site_name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","article_published_time":"2026-01-09T17:34:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":900,"url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Alison Bentley","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@redfin","twitter_site":"@redfin","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Alison Bentley","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/"},"author":{"name":"Alison Bentley","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574"},"headline":"How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? Buying a Home at Auction","datePublished":"2026-01-09T17:34:14+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/"},"wordCount":2400,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg","keywords":["buying definition","buying faq","home buying process"],"articleSection":["Buying a Home","Featured Post"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/","name":"How to Buy a House at Auction: What to Know | Redfin","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-09T17:34:14+00:00","description":"Real estate auctions can be a good idea or lead to overspending. Here\u2019s how to buy a home in an auction and things to consider before you do.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/shutterstock_1393752269.jpg","width":1200,"height":900,"caption":"buffalo ny real estate"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-auctions\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Do Real Estate Auctions Work? Buying a Home at Auction"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","name":"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More","description":"Real estate on Wall Street, Main Street and your street.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Redfin","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Redfin-logo-512x512-1.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Redfin"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin","https:\/\/x.com\/redfin","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/redfinrealestate\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/redfin","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/redfin\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCMIuo1QSGcmWnevT9jdC_Ow","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Redfin"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574","name":"Alison Bentley","description":"Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Marketing Program Manager. In her 5 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability, and specializes in first-time homebuyer and seller resources. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers\u2019 markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef\u2019s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.","url":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/author\/alison-bentley\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/537"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98348"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108464,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98348\/revisions\/108464"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98348"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=98348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}