Tips For Buying Property at Auction

By: Chris Nickson - Updated: 14 Mar 2017 | *Discuss

 

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Buying property at auction is something that’s become much more popular in recent years, and as more houses and flats are repossessed, more properties are being auctioned, as the companies that now own them by default want them off the books.

If you do decide to try your hand at buying a property at an auction, these tips will serve you well:

Before The Auction

Have your financing in place. That’s vital. Once you’ve bid on a property you’ll have to put down a deposit – usually 10% - on the day, and pay the rest within the next 28 days, so there’s no time to be chasing a mortgage once you’ve had a successful bid. If you’re using your own cash, be very wary.

It’s vital that you have a survey completed before the auction, and since there’s often only a few weeks between notification and auction, that can mean a rush job. However, you need to be sure of the condition of the property. More than just obtain, take time to read the survey and ask questions. If there are doubts about the structural integrity of the property, get estimates on the work needed to correct it and decide whether it’s worthwhile.

Remember that what you pay for the house won’t be all you pay. There might also be stamp duty involved, and you might well have to come up with a buyer’s premium for the auctioneer, which can be an additional 1.5%. Take all this into account when budgeting.

Considering that you’ll need to deal with valuers and surveyors on any property that interests you, possible paying hundreds each time, you’ll need to keep your property focus tight. Remember, however, that the simple fact that you’ve paid to get this information doesn’t mean that the property will become yours. You’ll still have to bid for it against the competition. Always take the time to examine the contracts of properties you might bid on.

It’s worthwhile making sure that your valuation on a property lines up with that of the mortgage lender, since that will make any transaction move more swiftly and smoothly.

The Auction

Know just how high you can go in your bidding after factoring in all additional costs for a property. This is possibly the most important thing you’ll need to know. Write it down, if need be, but make sure you don’t exceed it, unless you have plenty of spare cash around. Auctions can be exciting – especially if you’re one of the bidders – but you literally can’t afford to be carried away.

You can find a property at a very reasonable price at auction. Just remember these tips, and things will go smoothly.

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What Can Buy at an Auction?

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