How Fast Can You Sell My House At Auction?

• By: admin
• On: 12/01/2019 13:47:13
• In: Real Estate

If you're considering selling your house at auction, your first question might be price, but your second question is likely, how fast can you sell my house? A multitude of arising issues challenge auction professionals with nearly every auction they conduct. Common issues to resolve prior to putting ink to the auction contract include: marketing budgets, price reserves and family disagreements. However, once that auction agreement is signed, what happens next?
 
Contract note: Date, time and location are all vital to contract validity and should be determined at the time of contract signing.
 
Determining the approach
The asset type will determine the auctioneer's approach to formulating the marketing campaign and timeline for the auction. While some auctions like personal property or equipment auction require less lead and marketing time, real estate auctions are likely to take more planning and research prior to auction day.
 
An auctioneer's presence will also play a role with how the marketing campaign transpires. For instance, if an auctioneer has a history of conducting successful auctions, and has maintained a database of previously registered potential buyers or bidders, it becomes a much more efficient and streamlined marketing process, which can drastically reduce the time needed to reach buyers. However, most auctioneers continue to market outside of their database to reach new potential bidders and buyers.
 
There are several steps to consider when selling real estate at auction.

1. Who is the signing party concerning the sale of the property?
2. Perform a title examination to ensure the real estate is sellable.
3. If the property is in an estate due to a death, did the decedent pass intestate or testate (will or no will)?
4. Who are the heirs?
5. Is an attorney involved?
6. Do you want to sell by reserve or absolute auction?

Answer these important questions before moving forward. Then, the auctioneer can begin to formulate a timeline.
 
Example of a real estate auction timeline

• Day 1: Contract signed by responsible party
• Day 2: Order title examination
• Day 3: Schedule photographer/videographer
• Day 4/5: Secure mail/email lists of potential buyers
• Day 6: Receive title examination report – if no issues found move forward
• Day 7: Photo/video session
• Day 8/9: Order signage, flyers, mailers, and other promotional material
• Day 11-15: Marketing campaign begins (signs posted, social media ads up and running, mailers sent out to potential buyers, flyers placed at local lending institutions and other high traffic walk in areas)
• Day 16/17: Radio ads begin and will continue through day of sale
• Day 22: Auction preview #1
• Day 29: Auction preview #2 if needed
• Day 35: Sale day
• Day 70: Closing day – deed transferred. This date could be sooner depending on the buyer or lender.

Now, that's a typical schedule for a traditional real estate auction. Online only auctions can be advertised and have bidding available from the first day the auction is posted on a bidding platform. One way is not better than the other; each auction will have its own nuances and challenges.
 
In reality, there is no magic number to the question, How fast can you sell my house at auction. But, the auction method is the only way to set the day that your asset(s) will sell, and is the most transparent and streamlined way to expedite the sale of any asset.
 
Find a real estate auction professional near you.
 
Willie Baker, AMM, Baker Auctions and Real Estate, contributed to this article.