Real Estate Investing: 3 Insider Tips to Winning House, Land or Foreclosure Auctions

House, land and foreclosure auctions can be one of the most nerve-wracking ways to buy a property. However, if you prepare yourself with proven bidding tactics, auctions can be a great way to purchase your dream home at a competitive price.

If you’re in-it-to-win-it, familiarize yourself with these top three tips and tricks before attending a real estate auction.

Give The Right Impression

While you may not have control over what other bidders are willing to pay for a property, you do have some control over their perception of whether or not bidding against you is worthwhile. Come well-dressed and maintain a confident demeanour to give the appearance that you are a serious buyer, one whom ‘the other guy’ likely can’t out-bid.

To enhance this appearance, do not make an offer right away. Wait until the bids have reached approximate 80% of your maximum price and then join in, as it will knock out the bargain hunters. A big first bid can be intimidating to others, making them question whether they stand a chance against you. Following bids should be made quickly and confidently to send the message that you are the person who will be closing this deal.

If you are extremely anxious to place bids, consider hiring a professional bidder to do the work for you. A seasoned pro will be able to maintain their cool while placing bids strategically to maximize your chances of getting the property you want at the price you want.

Know Your Limit

Never go into an auction without knowing your absolute limit. If you are emotionally invested in the property it is best to write your limit somewhere on the inside of your hand, so that you are forced to remember it when you’re tempted to exceed it.

In terms of setting a limit, pick a figure that isn’t rounded. Many buyers will set limits such as $500k or $1.2 million, and will drop out after these round figures have been reached. If your limit is $515k or $1.25 million, you will have an extra cushion than may just barely outbid your rivals – and that’s all you need to win.

Ask The Hard Questions

Do your research beforehand and ask the auctioneer about the property’s flaws. Questioning whether the deck is up to code or whether there is still a possibility of road widening could make other bidders second guess the property and drop out before bidding has even begun.

Ready to blow the competition out of the water? Make sure you are completely prepared for an auction, contact me today – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

Click Here to See What Your Home is Worth

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Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

1135 N Harold Street Tempe, AZ 85288

$649,000

4 Beds

3.5 Baths

2,140 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6759462

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to this stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home that radiates modern elegance with a neutral color scheme and light, bright atmosphere throughout. The open floor plan is complemented by beautiful plank-style flooring, creating a sleek, contemporary look. Natural light pours into every room, enhancing the airy feel of the space. The heart of the home is the spacious kitchen, featuring a large island perfect for meal prep and gatherings. Conveniently included is a washer and dryer, making this home as functional as it is stylish. Ideal for both relaxation and entertaining, this property is a perfect blend of comfort and modern design.

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1139 N Harold Street Tempe, AZ 85288

$649,000

4 Beds

3.5 Baths

2,140 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6759465

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to this stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home that radiates modern elegance with a neutral color scheme and light, bright atmosphere throughout. The open floor plan is complemented by beautiful plank-style flooring, creating a sleek, contemporary look. Natural light pours into every room, enhancing the airy feel of the space. The heart of the home is the spacious kitchen, featuring a large island perfect for meal prep and gatherings. Conveniently included is a washer and dryer, making this home as functional as it is stylish. Ideal for both relaxation and entertaining, this property is a perfect blend of comfort and modern design.

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1432 Varsity Drive Prescott, AZ 86301

$649,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,700 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6761462

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Do you dream of evenings filled with serenity & beauty? Relax & enjoy stunning views through 12' sliding glass doors opening to an over-sized deck. These amazing views are some of the few in Astoria that will never be lost! Beautiful Prescott sunsets, views of the Golf Course, Willow Lake, the Dells, Granite Mtn., and gorgeous distant mountain views await. Set in charming Astoria in Prescott Lakes, this lovely home offers a split floor plan for privacy, & a flex space for an office/ den/ library. A beautiful kitchen with a stainless refrigerator, a large pantry, & a breakfast bar flows into the living room & out onto the deck. The primary bedroom, luxurious bath & large walk-in closet are on one side of the house, & a guest room & bath are on the other. The laundry room opens into a 2-car garage with storage. Note the details: a paver driveway & wrap-around front porch, amazing privacy from neighbors, ceramic tiled floors, gorgeous granite kitchen counters, upgraded lighting & fixtures, and more. The back yard is fenced, both the back and front yards are landscaped & on drip, & the unfinished lower level offers the potential for more living space and/or storage.

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4310 Buffalo Ridge Wickenburg, AZ 85390

$649,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,986 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6769421

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

GATED COMMUNITY. Perfect for SNOWBIRDS! FULLY FURNISHED! Luxury living in the desert! Championship Golf Course-Big Wick-18-hole, par-71; Little Wick-9 hole, par 3 course; Dining; Pool; spa; Art Barn; Culinary Parlor; tennis; Pickleball; 3 bars; full salon; fitness room; walking path & much more! Fully UPGRADED custom home. Premium corner lot. Located next to the Wickenburg Ranch Lake Park. Move in ready, down to the pots & pans. 2 bed 2 bath. Separate dining room. Tile plank flooring thru out. Gourmet kitchen w/LG Stainless Steel appliances, oversize kitchen island, Quartz counters. Master bath spa feel, custom walk-in shower. Smart space in laundry room. 3 car garage-room for your golf cart. Landscape will be beyond your expectation. Freshly painted inside & out. Come take a look!!

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17379 W Guthrie Street Surprise, AZ 85388

$649,000

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,948 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6765870

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

No neighbor on both sides, next to a PARK, and at the end of a cul-de-sac! Over $100,000 in upgrades including iron front door, extensive brick patios, pergola, whole house gutters, shutters, upgraded kitchen appliances, new custom painted cabinets throughout, executive glass in showers, upgraded fixtures, fans, whole house tile, landscape with lighting. The Sterling Grove Golf & Country Club has an 18 hole golf course, multiple pools, gym, restaurant, and many activities for the entire family. This home is in a 55+ section.

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2917 N 8th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85013

$649,000

3 Beds

3 Baths

1,708 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6770545

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Are you a savvy, creative buyer looking for an unbelievable investment? THIS is it! Completely modern and updated single level home with a separate guest house make this property unique and open for opportunity. Whether you're thinking of ''house hacking'' with rental income or looking to create double cash-flow off one property, there are SO many options. Main house is 1081sqft & guest house 627sqft with two RV gates to create space and separation if desired. Cozy interiors feature a clean, neutral palette, ceiling fans, window blinds, and wood-look tile throughout the entire house. Sewer, electrical, A/C, new cabinets, tile, windows doors, A/C ducts, new water lines, blown in insulation - all of it is DONE and move-in ready!

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420 W Cherrywood Drive Chandler, AZ 85248

$649,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

2,618 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6772924

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Welcome to Ironwood Country Club located in the heart of Sun Lakes Community and it's many amenities. This stunning Borgata model is full of recent upgrades throughout the spacious layout. This 2 BD, 2 BA amazing home features a separate den/office with built in shelving. Enjoy a formal living/dining room complete with 3'' wood Shutters. Large kitchen, casual dining area and family room with slider to the paved oversized back patio and low maintenance backyard. Or enjoy the lovely evenings on the front patio. 3 car garage with vinyl flooring, custom cabinets, and EV charging station ready.

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2320 W Forest Pleasant Place Phoenix, AZ 85085

$649,000

5 Beds

3 Baths

3,097 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6772177

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Remodeled home on a quiet cul-de-sac! Inside, you'll find a welcoming living room with high ceilings, a soothing color palette, luxury vinyl plank flooring and tall baseboards. Continue to the great room, which includes an inviting fireplace and open concept perfect for entertaining. The kitchen comes with granite counters, wood cabinetry, recessed lighting, SS appliances, walk-in pantry, and a two-tier island with breakfast bar. Double doors lead to the spacious main bedroom, complete with a light and bright ensuite offering double vanities, a jetted tub, and walk-in closet. Owned solar helps keep utilities low. The backyard showcases a covered patio and built-in BBQ for weekend get togethers. This home is a blank slate waiting for you to customize.

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10841 E Oro Avenue Mesa, AZ 85212

$649,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

2,159 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6773993

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Un Paralled House to call Home! Lots of tasteful extras above similar versions of the popular, open 2150 plan. CURB APPEAL Fasioncolor!. upgraded stack stone columns. Epoxy patio. Magnificant large EZ care light colored floor tile. Staggered kitchen cabinets. Four large windows replaced by Pella, All ten ft ceilings including garage, 4 window door to golf cart garage. Six solatube skylights. 7 fans. Master has BOTH tub & separate shower. Master expanded TEN FEET! Great libary/music/office/tv room. Dynamite back yard with Pergola.Exceptional built in BBQ to entertain a crowd! Pavers going left & right.Side gate/storage, south patio. MUST see! Gentle pet; keep doors closed during showing please.

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17057 W Echo Lane Waddell, AZ 85355

$649,000

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,529 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6776412

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

The NextGen floor plan is the perfect setup for shared living space - ideal private space for visitors or rentals! Guest quarters with a private entrance as well as garage entry, separate bedroom with walk-in closet, living area, kitchen with full-size appliances, and laundry (stacked washer/dryer included)! Rent out for extra income or house a grandparent or family member/roommate wanting their own space while connected to the main home. This beautiful single-level residence in a desired corner lot of a Gated Community! This gorgeous home offers an immaculate interior with abundant natural light and cozy living spaces for entertaining. The kitchen has plenty of cabinets with crown moulding, quartz counters, recessed lighting, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a peninsula with a breakfast bar ideal for quick meals. Discover the large main retreat featuring plush carpet, an ensuite with dual sinks, sit-down shower, and a walk-in closet. PLUS! This house boasts a bonus room ideal for a media room/office and a fully equipped guest's quarter with a private entry. Out the back, you'll find a private, serene space with a covered patio and artificial lawn for relaxing evenings and conveniently located near grocery shopping, restaurants, just minutes away from 303 and major highways for easy access.You won't be disappointed!

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710 E Peoria Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85020

$649,000

3 Beds

3 Baths

1,913 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6778988

Property Type Townhouse

Price Type --

Discover Resort-Style Living in the sought-after Community of the Pointe Tapatio at North Mountain. This 3 bedroom/3 full bath home is a 'hidden gem'. Don't miss out on this exceptional property that combines luxurious living with practical design. Comfortable living room and adjacent dining area, ideal for hosting dinner parties. New kitchen with cozy Breakfast Room. An upstairs 'secondary' Master Bedroom Suite with covered Balcony overlooking North Mountain. Beautifully appointed bathrooms with quartz countertops, Moen faucets, and walk-in showers with custom glass doors in two of the three bathrooms. Two stained-glass plus Celestial windows shimmer light throughout the home. Conveniently located to hiking/biking trails, restaurants, boutiques, and the Hilton Pointe Resort. Walk across the street to a Heated Pool and Spa where you can view a magnificent water feature. Home is situated in the Central Phoenix Corridor, the Nexus of the City's Art and Culture scene. Meticulously landscaped with two covered patios and a putting green, creating a serene and inviting environment for relaxation and recreation with family and friends. Easy access to world-class golf courses, downtown Phoenix, and Sky Harbor Airport. Exterior paint in 2023. Roof is 6 years old. A/C System is 5 years old. Move-in Ready!

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5819 N 88th Lane Glendale, AZ 85305

$649,000

5 Beds

3.5 Baths

3,038 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6781902

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Move-in Ready!! Perfect for large family or in-laws. Clean and fresh home with upgrades throughout. Massive open floor plan with entertainment in mind. Luxury kitchen with white cabinetry, granite countertops, large island, stainless appliances, upgraded tile flooring and pantry opens to the massive family room with plantation shutters throughout. Owner's suite, guest bedroom w/ensuite and den on main floor. Three spacious bedrooms upstairs with a large loft. Calming neutral palate and central vacuum system throughout. Tankless water heater, sink and EV charger in garage. New maintenance free back & front yards with pavers and artificial turf. Wait no longer--your dream home awaits!!

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