Auction.com is a nationwide real estate auction platform that connects buyers with residential, bank-owned, and foreclosed homes through online and in-person auctions. The site primarily features distressed or hard-to-sell properties but is also open to private sellers.
While Auction.com advertises a fast, flexible way to buy and sell real estate, customer reviews tell a more mixed story. Some users say the platform makes investing in foreclosures easier, but many complain about hidden property damage, unclear bidding practices, and misleading reserve prices — some even call the site a scam.
Because listings vary widely in condition and terms, buyers and sellers should read all fine print carefully and do thorough due diligence before bidding or accepting an offer.
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Auction.com summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Company type | Online real estate auction platform |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California |
| Service area | Nationwide |
| Specializes in | Foreclosures, bank-owned, and distressed properties |
| Typical users | Investors and homeowners selling as-is or distressed homes |
| Average customer rating | ⭐ 2.0 / 5 (483 reviews) |
| Pros | • Nationwide exposure for sellers • No platform fees for buyers or sellers • Access to thousands of distressed listings |
| Cons | • Undisclosed property damage • Misleading bids and unclear reserve prices • Poor communication and customer service |
| Best for | Cash-ready investors seeking discounted properties |
| Not ideal for | Retail buyers or sellers wanting full market value |
| Alternatives | Clever Offers — compare multiple cash offers from vetted buyers to get the best price, fast |
Who Auction.com works best for
Auction.com is ideal for sellers with distressed properties who want to avoid making repairs. Most properties on Auction.com are cash only, so it’s also good for homeowners needing to sell quickly. Owners can accept direct offers or sell by auction. They can also add options like an extended move-out period.
For buyers, Auction.com offers easy access to more than 13,000 foreclosed or bank-owned homes nationwide. It gives an estimated resale value, local comps, and potential rent so investors can make smart decisions. You can participate in live auctions (in-person or online) or make a quick cash offer directly to sellers.
Who Auction.com doesn’t work best for
Auction sites are legit, but proceed with caution. Several Auction.com reviews said the site doesn’t disclose all property issues, with buyers later finding hidden damage that needed expensive repairs. If you don’t have the means to address such problems, a traditional as-is home sale offers more transparency.
Reviewers also said the website bids against potential buyers to raise prices. Auction.com reps say this is to meet the reserve price — the minimum sale amount set by the seller. So, the site may not be the best option if your funds are limited or you need more control over how much you spend.
A traditional sale would probably be better for sellers whose homes are in good shape and want to receive market value. If you aren’t in a hurry to sell, a real estate agent can help you get a better price.
Like cash buyers, auction sites tend to attract people wanting to avoid the cost of working with a realtor. But low-commission real estate agents offer the same professional services at a lower rate — usually 1.5% instead of the standard 2.5–3%. Experienced agents will know how to sell your property regardless of its condition.
Want to compare your options before making a decision? The best way to maximize speed and profit potential is to compare cash offers through Clever Offers. This platform connects you directly with a network of vetted real estate investors ready to make competitive offers on your property. By comparing these offers against the open market potential, Clever Offers ensures you have all the information needed to make the most informed and profitable decision for your home sale. Get started today and take control of your home sale.
Auction.com reviews
| Source | Customer rating |
| BBB | 1.0/5 (20 reviews) |
| 3.5/5 (28 reviews) | |
| Trustpilot | 3.2/5 (1 review) |
| SiteJabber | 1.9/5 (434 reviews) |
| Average rating | 2.0/5 (483 reviews)* |
*Review count and ratings are accurate as of the time of last publication, and are subject to change.
Auction.com reviews are negative overall, with a weighted average of 2.0/5 across 483 reviews. The company is not BBB Accredited.
Several reviewers noted that Auction.com listings didn’t accurately describe the property, saying damage wasn’t disclosed. Other reviews said the reserve price policy was unclear, with an opening bid well below the minimum a seller would accept. As a result, Auction.com bids against buyers to raise the home sale price. If the reserve price isn’t met, the property returns for auction.
Despite the negative reviews, Auction.com is often listed among the most trusted auction sites. All the reviews appeared to be from buyers. No reviews from sellers were found.
“Do not waste your time.”
Reviewers said the opening bid was significantly lower than the reserve bid needed to close the sale, which was misleading.
Do not waste your time placing a bid on "bank owned properties. They do not disclose the "real" opening bid which is ALWAYS higher than the one published. Just for fun have been following a few Oakland bank owned properties - one for almost TWO years. It keeps being relisted several times a month.
“Nothing was accurate.”
A common theme among reviewers was undisclosed property damage.
I have had issues with auction.com not putting pictures on their website that are accurate in the description of their homes. They also over inflate the value of their homes. I was currently suspended because I did not sign a contract after winning a bid that I actually did not win but they dropped their bids and the reserve and then declared me the winner. I then decided I should verify the information on the website. Nothing was accurate. Because I didn't go thru with the deal I was retaliated against and suspended.
“Hidden damage”
Some Auction.com buyers report serious issues with property condition and transparency. One reviewer said they purchased a home that had “a lot of hidden damage” and claimed the listing agent “hid pictures online and took the key out of the lockbox so buyers couldn't see inside.”
Purchased a home on the website and it had a lot of hidden damage and needed extensive costly repairs. Agent hid pictures online and took key out of lock box so buyers could not see inside. I would never purchase again due to the trickery and extremely poor condition houses that need complete rehabs.
“Great online auction services.”
Not all reviews were negative. Some reviewers said they’d had successful transactions on Auction.com in the past.
You like the deal? Well you need to put some thought into it. Auction. Com is legit company, posting property for bank, owner, investor who can ALWAYS change their mind. Your job is to find property, if possible look at it and bid.Sign contact and follow the process and HOPE for the best.
Provides great online auction services to make real estate investment accessible to all.
Auction.com pros and cons
Pros
- No platform fees for sellers
- Competition from buyers can drive up offers
- Buyers and sellers can negotiate directly
- Buyers can compete in real time or set a limit and let the site bid
Cons
- Buyers may face undisclosed property damage
- Opening bid is typically lower than what the seller will accept
- If reserve price isn’t met, the property goes back up for auction
- Strict timeline for online auction winners
Auction.com doesn’t charge sellers a fee and lets them accept direct offers or list their property for auction. The site requires most sellers to use a real estate agent and can connect them with one. Because of its national reach, homes are shown to millions of interested buyers, which can increase offer amounts.
Buyers have several options for purchasing property through Auction.com. They can participate in a live auction (in-person or online) or make a direct offer and negotiate with the seller. Buyers can bid on foreclosure properties from anywhere through the site's remote bid feature.
On the downside, buyers don’t have full property access before purchasing and must instead rely on the sellers’ photos and submitted documents. Local buyers can drive by the home but can’t go inside, which leaves room for undisclosed damages other buyers have experienced.
The bidding process can be misleading, so it’s crucial to read the fine print and learn how Auction.com works. The opening bid is typically lower than the reserve, which often isn’t listed. The site will sometimes place bids to try to get closer to the reserve price. If the highest bidder doesn’t meet the reserve, the property will go back up for sale.
Also, the highest bidders in online auctions have only six hours to submit contact information, sign the purchase agreement, and wire the earnest money deposit and proof of funds. If they can’t complete the process within the strict timeline, another buyer can match the bid and buy the property.
Similarly, Bid4Assets offers a comparable auction platform focused on government-seized and tax-defaulted properties. Like Auction.com, it provides remote bidding options and a wide reach for sellers, but it has the added benefit of specializing in niche property types and often offering properties not found on other auction sites.
Cash buying alternatives to Auction.com
| Company | Best for | Avg. customer rating |
| Clever Offers | Multiple offers from vetted investors | 5/5 (3,000+ reviews) |
| We Buy Ugly Houses | Homes that are difficult to sell | 4.49/5 (2,500+ reviews) |
| Opendoor | Hassle free sale for homes in good condition | 4.2/5 (4,000+ reviews) |
| MarketPro Homebuyers | Fair cash offers on the East Coast | 4.4/5 (600+ reviews) |
Clever Offers connects you with multiple vetted cash buyers nationwide. This free, no-obligation service delivers competing cash offers so you can get the highest offer price and sell quickly.
Like Auction.com, We Buy Ugly Houses, McCurdy Auction, and MarketPro Homebuyers, they are good for sellers with distressed homes. However, according to reviews, cash offers from investors tend to be well below market value. MarketPro Homebuyers operates primarily on the East Coast, while Auction.com and We Buy Ugly Houses are nationwide.
iBuyers like Opendoor are better for good-quality homes, although sellers must pay a 5% service fee and repair and closing costs. Clever Offers has a 1.5% listing fee, and sellers can get a free second opinion from a local agent. This lets you quickly and confidently sell property in any condition for the highest price.
Auction.com: How it works
Selling with Auction.com
SmartSale is Auction.com’s selling process and is pretty straightforward:
- Provide basic property details via an online form, and a rep will contact you.
- Choose whether you want to receive direct offers or sell through an auction.
- Set your sales terms, upload photos and documents, and publish your listing.
- Select the best offer or accept the highest bid.
- Finalize the contract and close.
It takes about a week to get your property listed on Auction.com. The site requires most sellers to use a real estate agent for guidance and can assign a local agent if needed. You can also schedule an open house for local buyers to encourage more competitive offers.
The Seller Dashboard tracks all buyer bids and activity, letting you review offers in real time.
Buying with Auction.com
To purchase property through Auction.com, you will:
- Create a free profile.
- Register to bid on the home.
- Submit a registration deposit (if required).
- Perform due diligence and research the property.
- Read the fine print, as it differs for each home.
- Prepare your finances.
- Bid on the property or submit a direct offer.
Each property listing on Auction.com is different. Generally, you’ll see:
- Property size, type, etc.
- An estimated resale value or rent
- Opening bid
- Similar properties
- Local comps
- Property information report, title and liens, the purchase agreement, and other additional documents
- Transaction details
If you’re the winning bidder, you must provide contact information via an online form, then sign and return the purchase agreement. You must also provide proof of funds to Auction.com and send an earnest money deposit to the closing company.
Online auction winners have just six hours to complete this process, while other purchasing options may give you one or two business days for each step. The highest bidders in online auctions must also pay a premium — typically 5% of their offer.
Some properties have a “Match the Bid” icon, which lets you agree to match the bid and get in line to purchase the home if the winning bidder can’t complete their obligations within the set timeframe. You can also make a direct offer to sellers on certain bank-owned properties.
Auction.com reviews: The bottom line
Auction.com gives buyers easy access to a wealth of bank-owned or foreclosed homes selling below-market value. But beware of undisclosed property damage that could eat into your resale profits.
Sellers can use the site to list distressed properties for a quick cash deal. They can choose to sell via direct offer or auction. Just know that you won’t get market value for the house, which means you could be leaving money on the table.
There’s no shortage of ways to sell a home, and each platform has pros and cons. Exploring your options before listing your home is essential to get the best sale price possible. Remember, it costs nothing to request a cash offer, and you’re under no obligation to accept it.
Clever Offers can help you compare offers from several cash buyers before deciding which works best for you. See how much cash buyers would pay for your home today!