Auction.com is a marketplace that hosts online and in-person real estate auctions of residential, bank-owned, and foreclosed properties. Most of the properties are damaged or distressed and likely wouldn’t sell in a traditional transaction, letting buyers purchase them for a fraction of the cost. Private sellers can also list their homes on the site for auction or direct offers.
Homeowners looking to sell a property as-is can get a quick deal through Auction.com. Most transactions are all cash, although homeowners can choose to allow financing. However, investors who use these platforms are generally looking for distressed homes that they can purchase at bargain — so you may not find a buyer if you set your asking price too high.
For buyers, Auction.com provides exclusive access to homes typically unavailable on the multiple listing service (MLS). But some buyers say the homes they bought had undisclosed damage. Also, the site offers several ways to purchase a property, so buyers should read the fine print.
If you're serious about getting a cash offer for your home, we recommend starting with a free offers marketplace like Clever Offers. With Clever, you can get competing offers worth up to 100% of your home value and sell in as little as 7 days — all with no added fees or obligation to move forward. Submit a quick form to find your best offer
Auction.com highlights
- Auction.com is a company that hosts live online and in-person auctions around the country.
- Buyers have access to 13,000+ residential, bank-owned, and foreclosed properties they can bid on or purchase directly.
- Sellers can list distressed houses for a quick cash transaction.
- There are no fees for sellers, but buyers may pay a 5% premium on some homes.
- The company has an average rating of 1.96/5 ⭐ (481 reviews).
Is Auction.com right for you?
Pros
- No platform fees for sellers
- Competition from buyers can drive up offers
- Buyers and sellers can negotiate directly
- Reach a nationwide audience of potential buyers
Cons
- Sale price is typically far below market value
- Buyers may find undisclosed property damage
- Opening bid is often lower than what the seller will accept
- Strict timeline for online auction winners
Auction.com is a solid choice for those who need to sell their house fast or have a property that wouldn’t easily sell without repairs. For instance, you might consider Auction.com if you:
- Have a damaged or distressed property
- Don’t have the time or money to make repairs
- Want to set your own sale terms
- Need to sell quickly with little hassle
If your moving timeline is flexible and you can afford to make some repairs, working with a real estate agent can likely fetch you a higher sale price. Those concerned about paying high realtor fees may want to look for a low-commission agent offering the same professional services at a lower rate. These agents typically charge 1.5% instead of the average real estate commission rate of 2.5–3%.
An iBuyer or cash buyer company may also be a better option if you’re selling a home that needs work. With Auction.com, there’s no guarantee that someone will bid on your property. But local and even national cash buyers are more likely to make an offer — especially if you let them tour the property.
Auction.com offers several purchasing options, but buyers should tread carefully. Multiple reviewers said they later found hidden damage that needed expensive repairs. If you can’t afford such surprises, the transparency of a traditional sale would be better. Buyers don’t have access to the property and must instead rely on the sellers’ photos and submitted documents.
Buyers might also look for an alternative if their funds are limited or they need more control over how much they spend. The highest bid must meet the reserve price — the minimum sale amount set by the seller. If it doesn't, the site will bid against potential buyers to raise the price.
Auction.com vs. alternatives
Several real estate auction sites exist that give sellers a national reach and are free to use. Xome, for example, has more positive user reviews. Like Auction.com, the site connects buyers and sellers with a real estate agent to help handle the transaction. But while Auction.com buyers face a 5% premium on some properties, Xome charges it on all transactions to pay buyer and seller agent fees.
Other cash home buying options range in scale from local house-flippers to nationwide franchises like We Buy Ugly Houses. These companies specialize in homes that are difficult to sell, making them a good option for when you need to offload a problematic property fast.
iBuyers like Opendoor tend to pay closer to market value than investors, but they have stricter purchase criteria. They also charge service fees and repair costs.
Offers marketplaces like Clever Offers connect sellers with multiple pre-vetted cash buyers nationwide, making it easy to compare options. Sellers can get a free second opinion from a local agent to see how much they could sell for as is.
Most cash buyers can close a home sale within three weeks of signing a purchase agreement, sometimes in as little as seven days (though closing times vary).
Here are some of the top alternatives to Auction.com.
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Why We chose it
Pros and cons
Specifics
Clever Offers helps you find and compare offers from leading cash buyers in your area — all with a proven track record of ethical dealings with home sellers.
Because Clever's network includes local/national investors, iBuyers, and agents with experience listing homes as is, you get a range of offers to choose from — including alternative deal types that deliver a higher payout over time.
The 5-star rated company gets top marks for helping you make an informed decision without pressuring you to move forward. See our full Clever Offers review.
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros
- Pays closer to market value than a typical house flipper
- Convenient selling process and quick inspections
- Flexible closing window of 14–60 days
Cons
- Repair costs can significantly reduce offers
- 5% service fee, on par with realtor commissions
- Strict purchase criteria
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Pros and cons
Why we chose it
Specifics
HomeVestors (the parent company of We Buy Ugly Houses) is a national cash buyer made up of independently owned and operated local franchises.
Each franchise can provide an initial offer within 48 hours and close in as little as 3 weeks. However, home sellers typically only receive about 70% of their home's value.
While many We Buy Ugly Houses locations have positive customer reviews, others have more complaints. Some people have accused the company of predatory practices targeting homeowners in financial distress.
Pros
- 24-48 hour offers, 3 week closings
- Many franchises have high customer ratings
- Buys homes in any condition
Cons
- Typically offer 70% of potential home value
- Inconsistent reviews across locations
- Company has been accused of preying on distressed homeowners
Offer Rating
Service Fee
Time to Close
Why we chose it
Specifics
Pros and Cons
Xome offers sellers a free platform to auction their homes to cash buyers nationwide. The service includes free MLS listings and support from a Xome agent to help market and auction your property.
Buyers can explore properties through Xome's exclusive marketplace and bid on homes during 3-6 day auction periods. The platform creates a competitive bidding environment that helps maximize value for sellers.
While Xome promotes its platform as simplifying the buying and selling process, it's ideally suited for distressed properties that appeal to investors rather than homes in excellent condition. See our full Xome review.
» MORE: Looking for more cash buyers near you? Check out the best companies that buy houses for cash to see our comprehensive guides for all 50 states.
Auction.com customer reviews and complaints
| Source | Average Rating | Review Count |
|---|---|---|
| BBB | 1.1 | 20 |
| SiteJabber | 1.9 | 434 |
| 3.5 | 26 | |
| Trustpilot | 3.2 | 1 |
| Weighted Average: | 2 | 481 |
Auction.com reviews are mostly negative. The company has an average customer rating of 1.96/5 across 481 online reviews. All the reviews are from buyers; no seller reviews were found.
While a few users described positive experiences, many called Auction.com a scam. Several reviewers cited a misleading bidding process, while others said the listings didn’t disclose significant and expensive property issues.
Here are the most common themes from Auction.com reviews.
Positive themes from Auction.com reviews
✅ Easy and accessible investing
As long as eight years ago, Auction.com received multiple 5-star ratings on Google. Positive reviews are less frequent in recent years, but some happy customers report good experiences.
“Provides great online auction services to make real estate investment accessible to all.”
— Melanie D., June 2024, Google
“I recently purchased a vacant bank foreclosure on Auction.com and got a very good deal and had a quick, easy, and enjoyable experience from bidding to closing. If you do your research and know what to expect, it’s hassle-free and actually is much easier than dealing with non-responsive brokers or fussy sellers.”
— Brian O., Aug. 2022, Sitejabber
Auction.com complaints
❌ Undisclosed property damage
Multiple Auction.com reviews said the site listings failed to disclose all property issues and damage. As a result, some bidders faced unexpected and expensive repairs.
“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 lockbox so buyers could not see inside. I would never purchase again due to the trickery and extremely poor condition houses that need complete rehabs.”
— News Info, April 2024, Google
“I have purchased two properties and have been under contract on six properties with Auction.com. The two properties I have closed on had NUMEROUS issues that the seller knew about that were not disclosed. Thankfully, I found out some of the issues on the other properties and refused to close on them.”
— Dadrianne C., Nov. 2023, Sitejabber
❌ Misleading or inaccurate information
Beyond undisclosed property damage, Auction.com reviews say listings contained inaccurate information about the homes, including their value. Some unhappy reviewers also said the bidding process was misleading.
“I have had issues with Auction.com not putting pictures on their website that are accurate in the description of their homes. They also overinflate 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.”
— David V., June 2023, Sitejabber
“They sold a property to me. They said it was occupied by the owner or tenant. Was told all information will be made known once closed. Come to find out the place was illegally occupied by multiple unknown persons. The whole house was not in (livable) condition. It was a total scam.”
— Kate A., Nov. 2022, Sitejabber
❌ Frustrating bidding process
Perhaps the most common complaint about Auction.com is its bidding process. Reviewers say the published opening bid is usually far lower than what the seller will accept — an amount that isn’t disclosed. Users also say the company will bid against itself and other buyers to meet the reserve price.
“If you place the opening bid, you will be immediately informed that it isn’t high enough. They tell you immediately that the ‘Reserve Price’ (the real opening bid) has not been met. If you read their rules – they do (not) disclose that they do this. They will keep relisting properties if no one bids the real opening bids.”
— Sam S., July 2024, Sitejabber
“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.”
— Mike Thaler, July 2024, Google
“I sat and watched them counterbid themselves three times in a row in order to drive up the price on two different houses. THAT is just a dishonest practice.”
— John C., Mar. 2022, Sitejabber
In-depth Auction.com review
Service quality: What's it like selling to Auction.com?
🔑 Key points
- Sellers enjoy no upfront fees and can set their own sale terms
- It takes about 7 days to get your property listed on the site
- Auction.com offers a streamlined, transparent sales process
Auction.com uses its SmartSale™ platform[1] to connect with sellers. It promises a transparent, six-step process aimed at making selling a home as easy as possible. Sellers can list their properties in about a week, set their terms, and track offers in real time.
We found no online reviews from sellers, but SmartSale has a testimonial from a seller on its website. Brock McFaren calls the Auction.com team experienced and personal. He described selling properties in Maryland sight-unseen to buyers from California, Texas, and Florida.
“It’s a great way to draw in other buyers for your properties that you’re not going to get elsewhere,” he said.
Offer quality: What Auction.com pays
🔑 Key points
- Auction.com doesn’t buy homes or set prices
- The sale price will likely be below market value
- High competition could drive bids up
Auction.com doesn’t purchase properties directly or set prices. Instead, it hosts online and in-person auctions to connect sellers with potential buyers.
Most buyers on Auction.com are real estate investors. The amount an investor will pay for your home will vary but is generally 60–80% of its after-repair value (ARV). However, a desirable property that draws a lot of interest from bidders could drive the sale price up.
Auction.com fees and other costs
🔑 Key points:
- No fees for sellers or buyers
- Online auction winners must pay a 5% premium
- Some other property listings could include additional fees
Auction.com is free for sellers and buyers. Sellers can set their own terms, such as detailing who pays for things like realtor fees (if applicable) and closing costs.
Some property listings may require buyers to pay an additional fee, so reading each listing closely is critical. Buyers who win an online auction must also pay a premium, typically 5% of their offer.
By contrast, Xome charges a 5% premium on all transactions to cover buyer and seller agent fees. For Hubzu, another competitor, buyers must pay a 5% premium and 3% of the bid for an earnest money deposit. They must also pay a bid deposit and technology fee, both of which depend on the property.
Hubzu also charges sellers a $995 program fee to market their homes. However, this cost is refunded when the house sells at auction.
Most cash buyers charge no fees and cover closing costs. Clever Offers charges a 1.5% listing fee.
Credibility: Is Auction.com legit?
🔑 Key points:
- Auction.com was founded in 2007
- It hosts 12,000+ in-person and online auctions each year
- More than 533,000 properties have sold through the company
Auction.com is the largest online marketplace of distressed, bank-owned, and foreclosed properties. More than 13,000 homes are available, and the site has 7.5 million registered users. It hosts more than 12,000 online and in-person auctions each year nationwide and has sold over 533,000 properties worth $66 billion.
Experts from Auction.com are regularly cited in the media. In 2025, the company received a MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award[2]in recognition of its “transformative impact on the distressed property market through its suite of proprietary technologies.”
In addition, the company’s Attorney Interact™ platform received a 2025 HousingWire Tech100 Real Estate Award, and its Vice President of Engineering was named a 2025 HousingWire Rising Star.
Auction.com has also rolled out several new programs recently. Its SmartSale™ platform[1] lets homeowners sell properties directly on Auction.com. Remote Bid™SmartSale™ platform[3]lets bidders participate in select auctions from anywhere, and Attorney Interact™[4]is a secure way to transmit third-party data.
How does Auction.com work?
Selling with Auction.com
Auction.com has a streamlined process for home sellers:
- Submit basic property details online. A company rep will contact you to learn more and discuss next steps.
- Choose whether you want to auction your property or receive buyers' offers directly.
- Set your sales terms, such as your reserve price and whether you’ll accept financing. Upload photos and documents, and publish your listing.
- Track offers and bids in real time through your online dashboard. Accept the highest bid or select the best offer.
- Finalize the contract and close.
It can take about 7 days to list your home on Auction.com. Note that the company requires most sellers to use a real estate agent to help with the needed paperwork. If you don’t already have an agent, Auction.com will assign a local one to you.
What types of homes are eligible for Auction.com?
Auction.com has no purchase criteria, which aligns with most cash buyers. The company specializes in:
- Distressed or damaged residential properties
- Bank-owned properties
- Homes in foreclosure
Buying with Auction.com
Buying a home through Auction.com is more complex than selling. These are the basic steps:
- Create a free profile.
- Register to bid on the home.
- Submit a registration deposit (if required).
- Research the property.
- Read the fine print — each property listing is different.
- Prepare your finances.
- Bid on the property or submit a direct offer.
You must register to bid on a property. However, new users are limited to three registrations. You can register for more once you successfully close on a home.
Winning bidders must provide contact information online, then sign and return the purchase agreement. They must submit proof of funds to Auction.com and send an earnest money deposit to the closing company.
Some transactions give winners one or two days to complete each step, but online auction winners have only six hours to turn everything in. If the highest bidder can’t meet this timeline, another can win the property through the site’s “Match the Bid” program.
Buyers can also make a direct offer on specific bank-owned or private seller properties, but not on homes up for auction.
Each property listing is different and has varying requirements, so it’s critical to read the listing carefully. Nearly all will include:
- Property size, type, etc.
- Estimated resale value or rent
- Opening bid
- Similar properties
- Local comps
- Documents like the property information report, title, liens, and purchase agreement
- Transaction details
Auction.com locations
Auction.com hosts live auctions in cities nationwide, and its online auctions reach millions of registered users. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California, and has offices in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, Corona (California), Mineola (New York), and Plano (Texas).
Frequently asked questions
Does Auction.com charge a fee?
No, Auction.com is free for both sellers and buyers. However, buyers who win online auctions must usually pay a 5% premium.
Is Auction.com cash only?
Most properties on Auction.com are sold for cash and must be paid in full by closing. However, sellers set their own terms and may allow financing. Read the property listing carefully.
Is it safe to buy from Auction.com?
While Auction.com is a legitimate business, auctions can be risky. Some users have reported finding undisclosed damage to the property, so do your research before you buy anything.
Recommended Reading
Methodology
We evaluate each company that buys houses for cash based on four core criteria:
- Customer reviews
- Service quality
- Offer quality
- Fees and other costs
- Credibility
Service quality
Customer experience. We rely on secret shopping and fact-checking interviews with company representatives to look for indicators that the company is professional, communicative, customer-focused, and ethical in its dealings with customers. We verify this information against customer reviews and interviews with past customers or professionals (realtors, former employees) who have had direct experience working with the brand.
Offer quality
Price. While nearly all cash buyers pay less than market value for homes, we look at how competitive the company's offers are compared to similar companies.
Purchase criteria. We also look at the company's purchase criteria to see how flexible and accommodating they are in making offers. Companies that offer a fair price for homes that other buyers won't purchase can still earn our endorsement for offer quality.
Fees and other costs
Competitiveness. We look at how the company's fees and other costs compare to competitors.
Value. We consider whether the fees are justified by the value offered.
Customer experience
Review analysis. We perform an in-depth analysis of all the available customer reviews to determine trends. We break down the reviews by theme and sentiment, and filter out spam reviews to determine our rating.
Company responsiveness. Negative reviews are part of doing business; however, we take note of whether a company is actively involved in resolving customer complaints.
Credibility
Trust signals. We look at how long the company has been in business, the number of verified customer reviews it has, how willing the company was to answer questions about their business model when we contacted them, and how easy it is to find detailed information on their website — including the names and contact details of specific team members. We also look at customer reviews indicating whether the company acts with honesty and integrity in their business dealings.