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Editor's Rating1
User Rating (6 Reviews)Pros
Cons
Auction.com is a national auction platform for foreclosures, bank-owned, and short-sale homes. Buyers love the deals: properties are often priced well below market. Sellers like the speed: listings go live fast without any upfront fee.
But this speed comes with strings. Buyers may find hidden issues in the properties. Sellers? They often give up around 30% of their home’s value. Plus, there’s little to no help with pricing or marketing. Auction.com is quick, but you’re essentially flying solo.
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✍️ Editor’s Take: We recommend you opt for cash buyer marketplaces. They connect you with nationwide investors and buyers, increasing your chances of getting multiple cash offers. This way, you can choose the best offer and close the deal faster.
Key Takeaways
- Auction.com properties typically sell for around 70% of their ARV.
- Sellers are responsible for pricing and listing prep. The platform provides no strategic support.
- Buyers should come prepared with cash. 8 out of 10 deals close without financing.
- Carefully read the auction terms; deals can fall through even after winning.
Auction.com Reviews
Auction.com is listed on BBB, Sitejabber, and Google Reviews. We’ve calculated a weighted average rating based on Auction.com reviews listed on all three platforms.
| Website | Rating | Review Count |
|---|---|---|
 | 26 | |
| BBB |  | 21 |
| Sitejabber |  | 434 |
| Weighted Average | | 481 (Total review count) |
Auction.com has 481 reviews, but around 95% are from 2023 or older. What’s even more concerning is that most of these reviews are negative. For such a large, established platform, that’s a red flag.
Auction.com complaints highlight a few key issues for buyers:
- Uncertainty about purchases
- Possible price manipulation.
- Lack of transparency about the property’s condition.
- Last-minute auction cancellations.
Unfortunately, these issues outweigh the handful of positive reviews from sellers who find the platform simple and user-friendly.
Positive Auction.com Reviews
✅ Brian O. had a smooth experience purchasing a vacant foreclosure. He emphasized that doing proper research made the process feel much easier than traditional routes.
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.
Source: Sitejabber
✅ Frankie L. found Auction.com easy to use. While they didn’t specify why, their 50+ property transactions on the platform suggest their prior experience simplified the process.
I have purchased 80 properties online on behalf of the company I work for and over 50 of those have been through Auction.com. Auction.com is the easiest to use. Their people (especially Nicole Mizerek) have been excellent to work with. They are not perfect – but compared to the competition – they are rock stars!
Source: Sitejabber
Auction.com Complaints
❌ Tom H. felt the hosted auctions were manipulated. They were expected to bid above the appraised value. Their review suggests that Auction.com may intentionally place bids to drive up property prices.
Your expected to bid up to & above appraised values..or auction company themselves will outbid ************ property days later…it’s a sham..no good deals to be had here
Source: BBB
❌ Sam Stallings had a frustrating experience with Auction.com. Despite being the highest bidder and submitting all the paperwork on time, they were still denied the purchase. Their experience shows that buyers can’t be sure of their purchase even at the last step.
This company is terrible to deal with. I was the successful high bidder on a property. Sent in all paperwork and made my wire deposit on time, within two hours as required by them. I receive a call hours later stating they are relisting it due to “Technical Difficulties”.
Source: Google
Pros and Cons
Below are the pros and cons of Auction.com. We’ve curated them based on in-depth research, user reviews, and the company’s terms and policies.
✅ Pros
- Flexible Sale Terms: As a seller, you get the option to set the sale terms. This gives you more control over the selling process.
- Multiple Buying Options: Auction.com has a strong database of over 13,000 properties. So, buyers get a variety of options to choose from.
- Nationwide Coverage: Auction.com’s marketplace features properties from all 50 states. So, you can buy and sell from anywhere in the US.
- Remote Bidding Option: Buyers can place a remote bid on their desired properties. This makes it possible to skip the hassle of a physical home purchase.
❌ Cons
- Lowball Offers: Sellers are likely to get around 70% of their home’s after-repair value on Auction.com. This may be a low figure, especially if your home is in decent shape.
- Large Number of Negative Reviews: Auction.com’s numerous negative online reviews make it challenging to trust the platform for real estate transactions.
- Limited Financing Options: Most transactions on Auction.com are cash-only. Based on our research, only 2 out of 10 properties allow financing through a mortgage.
- Complicated Bidding Process: This platform has a tedious bidding process. Buyers need to submit multiple documents and proof of funds to bid on any property.
- Uncertainty of Sale: Customer reviews point out that there’s no guarantee a deal will close. Both buyers and sellers can withdraw without penalty. Moreover, Auction.com lacks a system to prevent these last-minute cancellations.
Auction.com Competitors
Here are the top 3 competitors to Auction.com:
1. Auction.com vs. Clever Offers
Auction.com lets sellers list their homes for auction. Buyers place bids in a competitive process. This can help drive higher sale prices. Sellers can also set reserve prices and choose terms that work for them.
Clever Offers connects sellers with multiple cash buyers, allowing comparison of offers. They typically generate 3 to 5 competitive offers per listing. Sellers can choose the best offer and close on their preferred timeline.
2. Auction.com vs. Houzeo
Accurate pricing and proper market analysis are crucial for attracting high-value offers, even for distressed properties. However, Auction.com doesn’t provide any support in this area. This leads to lowball offers- typically, around 70% of the ARV.
Houzeo equips sellers with essential tools for accurate pricing and effective marketing. With a free home worth calculator and extensive MLS exposure, you can attract offers up to 100% of your home’s value. These offers are from verified buyers, eliminating the risk of any scams.
3. Auction.com vs. Opendoor
Auction.com mainly deals in distressed properties. They don’t prefer properties that are in the best shape. As far as location is concerned, they operate nationwide.
Opendoor, on the other hand, is an iBuyer with strict home eligibility criteria. Sellers need to ensure their home meets specific standards before selling. For example, your home can’t be in a distressed condition, there shouldn’t be any liens on it, etc.
Methodology Used
We aim to give our readers a deep and accurate understanding of our review. That’s why we have mentioned what goes into each of our key review factors.
2. Buyer intent
3. Offer-to-sale conversion
2. Responsiveness of the customer support team
2. Location requirements
Is Auction.com Legit?
Yes, Auction.com is a legitimate company. They host 15,000 auctions per year to help distressed homeowners sell their properties. As per their website, they’ve sold over 533,000 houses and have a community of 7.5 million buyers and sellers.
These numbers show that Auction.com is a trusted player in the real estate auction space. We also found that Auction.com is listed on reputable platforms like Google Reviews, BBB, and Sitejabber.
Auction.com Lawsuit
While researching Auction.com, we came across a past lawsuit that’s worth mentioning. The company was accused of using “shill bidding,” where fake bids were allegedly placed to push up the final sale price. The claim was that Auction.com and the property’s loan holder were working together to make it happen.
Auction.com denied the allegations, and the case didn’t go too far, but it does make you think. If you’re bidding on a property, it’s good to be aware that not everything on the platform may be as straightforward as it seems.
How Does Auction.com Work?
Both the selling and buying processes on Auction.com are a bit cumbersome. Here’s what each side needs to do:
Sellers
- Submit Property Details: Enter basic information about the house, such as the number of bedrooms, kitchen type, balcony size, and other key features.
- Choose How You Want to Sell: You’ll be given two options: list your home on the MLS or sell it via auction. Pick the path that suits your timeline and selling goals.
- Set Your Sale Terms: Next, upload clear property photos and any required documents. You’ll also need to specify your sale terms, like whether you’ll accept financing or cash-only offers.
- Review and Accept Offers: Once your listing goes live, you can track all offers on your seller dashboard. Take your time to review each one, accept the best deal, and close the sale.
Expect your property to be listed in roughly 7 days. A dedicated agent will be there to guide new sellers, offering valuable support. However, those with real estate experience have the flexibility to skip this guided process.
Buyers
- Create a Free Account: Start by creating a free profile on Auction.com. This gives you access to property listings and bidding options.
- Register to Bid: You must register for each property you want to bid on. New users can register for up to three properties at a time.
- Submit a Registration Deposit: Some properties require a registration deposit (which varies from property to property) to place bids. This is typically refundable if you don’t win the auction.
- Research the Property Thoroughly: Take time to review the property details, documents, and any disclosures provided. Since many homes are distressed or sold as-is, due diligence is important.
- Read the Terms: Each listing has its own terms and requirements. This includes timelines, deposits, buyer premiums, and bidding rules. Go through them at this stage to avoid any surprises at the end.
- Prepare Your Finances: If you win, you’ll need to submit proof of funds and pay an earnest money deposit. You need to do all this quickly, often within 1–2 business days.
- Complete the Post-Auction Steps: Submit your contact information via an online form. Furthermore, sign the purchase agreement and wire the deposit to the closing company.
Our Take on Auction.com’s Process
Auction.com’s buying process isn’t the easiest to navigate. The bidding system can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re new to auctions.
Additionally, buyers aren’t allowed to tour the property beforehand, which feels a little unfair. Most people would prefer to see a place in person before making such a big decision.
For sellers, Auction.com provides minimal support, focusing on buyer access. Without any market analysis tools, many struggle to accurately price their properties. Consequently, they miss out on potential profits.
Auction.com Pricing
According to Auction.com’s website, their service is free for both sellers and buyers. However, if you place the winning bid on a property, you have to pay a buyer’s premium. This is usually 5% of the purchase price or $2,500, whichever is greater.
Coverage
Auction.com provides services across the US. So, you can buy and sell from anywhere you want.
Auction.com Reviews: Is Auction.com Worth Trying?
| Aspect | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Sellers and buyers match with large pool of buyers in an instant. | There is no assistance with pricing and market analysis for sellers. On the other hand, buyers don't get to tour the property beforehand. |
| Process | Seller's listing process only has 4-5 steps. | Customer reviews highlight several instances of cancellations and offer withdrawals. |
| Cost | There is no fee for sellers. | Sellers may not pay upfront but settle for a lowball value (70% of the ARV). |
| Customer Reviews | 481 reviews present across three platforms. | No seller perspective available. |
| Offers for Buyers | Chance to get properties below market value, especially with the right timing. | Risk of overpaying due to hidden issues or bidding wars. |
Auction.com is worth it if you’ve sold properties before, but they’re not the easiest for first-time sellers. There’s no help with pricing, and it’s hard to find recent seller reviews. You’re mostly left to figure things out on your own.
For a better deal, consider selling your home with a cash buyer marketplace. This gives your property wide exposure and lets you compare offers from multiple cash buyers. So increase your chances of getting a competitive price closer to your home’s actual market value.
Auction.com Reviews: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Auction.com legitimate?
Yes, Auction.com is a legitimate online auction marketplace based in California. They help sellers auction distressed properties. For this, they host over 15000 auctions per year in the US. Furthermore, they have a social initiative called Auction Cares that supports veteran causes and home renovation programs.
2. Is Auction.com free?
Yes, Auction.com is free for both sellers and buyers. However, if you are the winning bidder, you need to pay some fee on your property's purchase price. Apart from this, the buyer needs to pay some standard costs like title and settlement fee to the involved third parties.
3. What are some Auction.com competitors?
Auction.com has 3 major competitors. These are Houzeo, Xome Auctions, and Opendoor. Out of these three, Houzeo stands as the best alternative for quality of offers. They help sellers get upto 100% of their home's FMV as opposed to Auction.com that provides 70% of ARV.
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Reviews
(6 Reviews)
Darren
Verified Reviewer
Bob
Verified Reviewer
1st Jun 2025
Auction.com is a place a I use to work and it is the biggest scam out there, their estimated prices are 30% over inflated, most of the properties sold are occupied and auction does not like it when I’ve told folks to bid on the subject property as if it is gutted down to the studs an every appliance is missing. After all the property is occupied and i’ve seen too many folks buy into a property not expecting the home to be shredded inside and on top of that, plan on spending 5-10 grand to evict the squatters!
Michael THALER
Verified Reviewer
11th Mar 2025
They now handles a lot of California foreclosure sales. (California does foreclosures outside the Court system.) When they started they used the SHILL system, which meant they would announce a low opening bid prior to the sale. That attracted lots of us professional bidders only to find out they would have a couple of SHILLS (employees) run up the bidding to the real starting bid. 90% of the time that would be much more than we would pay. After wasting time for a while we contacted their bank clients to complain and make public in the legal publiication what the real opening bid would be. While they now do act properly at fcl. sales, they do use the SHILL system when auctioning listings they have for bank owned properties. They do annnounce in their listings that the “opening bid” is really meaningless and they will be entering bids starting for the bank until it reaches the real opening bid. Most sales listed never reach the “real” opening bid. Sales bidding is a 2 day online process. For fun – I have followed one run down property they keep relisting in a BAD part of Oakland the past 11 months. They have relisted it for dozens of the 2 day auctions during that period. The so called opening bid is $175K. Sometimes it seems like a real bid is entered for $225K (which seems high to me.) The Shill bid is then $275K. Over the past 5 decades I have bought/sold dozens of Oakland properties.
J T
Verified Reviewer
7th Mar 2025
Avoid this auction site. There is NO auction. They set a price & bid you up to that price themselves. Whats worse is even after the reserve is met, Auction.com autobid itself up well beyond the reserve price, and continues to auto-extend the bidding. After the sale finally ends, they just relist it and start all over again if they couldn’t sucker you into being the final bid. This seems like fraud to me, I’ll be done with Auction.com after this one & only experience.
G Hollis
Verified Reviewer
11th Feb 2025
Sure I was the only bidder. They continually countered my bid in $5K increments but never reached the reserve price. Auction.com still wanted me to fill out a purchase contract (essentially a written bid) deposit 5% then they would present the contract to the bank for approval. Talked to them on phone finally and that is the only way they will submit to bank. Since it had already stated on the website that if I did not submit the deposit within 6 hours the bid would be cancelled. Let it expire then they sent several emails trying to get me to send contract and deposit(they called earnest money) Am sure I would not have gotten my money back once bank refused contract.
tim olwell
Verified Reviewer
15th Dec 2023
I bid on 5414 Wagon trail in Robstown TX area. The house had it’s flat roof torn off due to in-line high winds. The roofer installed a faulty roof and did not honor the warranty. A lien was placed on the house that clouded the title and meant the homeowner could not borrow against the equity. I spoke to the owner and was informed that the roof needs to be completely redone and Windstorm certificate acquired. The appliances in the kitchen do not work. The septic system needs work and there is over $100,000 of repairs needing to be done based on insurance estimates. I did the math and decided that I would have to invest over $170,000 to make this house sellable or livable. I decided to bid on the auction. I bid the minimum of $65,000. The required increment was $25,000. Auction.com bid $90,000 immediately for the seller. That meant my next bid had to be $$115,000. That amount was more than I would pay. OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS, ONLY AUCTION.COM BID FOR THE SELLER. Over 12 seller bids in a row AND THE LAST BID WAS OVER $175,00! THE RESERVE WAS NOT MET. So beware, the website bid history makes it look like there is bidders’ interest when it is really seller bids against themselves. I think this is shady and dishonest.
13th Nov 2025
Prepar to bid againt the Aution.com robot… it never ends!!! This is called SHILL BIDDING and is outlawed on all reputable auction sites.