6 Best Online Land Auction Websites (2024 Reviews)

Real Estate Bees’ editorial team asked a number of industry-leading real estate agents and investors to share their expertise on the best online land auction websites to help our readers make a more educated purchase decision when researching available solutions.

With the help of the experts, we identified the best free and paid land auction websites and evaluated them based on critical factors that are important for real estate agents and investors. Visiting retailers of the listed products by clicking links within our content may earn us commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation for the inclusion of products and/or services in our consumer guides. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our review and rating process.

— Kimberly Anderson, Senior Creative Editor at Real Estate Bees

Auction.com headlines the roster of the best land auction sites, specializing in the sale of residential, bank-owned, and foreclosure properties.

The site offers both online auctions and in-person auction events. As a leader among land auction websites, Auction.com reports an unmatched $62 billion in sales and 510,000 properties sold to date.

There are 13,000+ properties available for sale on the website.

Auction.com also features an auction calendar that lists upcoming auction dates, venues, and other important information for live foreclosure auctions.

Auction.com is based in Irvine, California, and hosts more than 15,000 auctions per year in all 50 states.

 

Features

Auction Calendar

This feature provides users with a list of upcoming foreclosure auction dates, venues, and other pertinent information.

Users can sort auctions based on date and state. You can also click on individual auctions in the list to see details, including property information and bidding instructions.

 

FCL Predict

This is a forecasting tool for real estate investors that lists foreclosure properties most likely to go on sale on their scheduled dates.

By combining experience, data science, and machine learning, FCL Predict analyzes various data points, providing users with a most likely-to-sell list — a great tool for finding distressed properties before they hit the market.

 

Remote Bidding

The Auction.com mobile app allows users to bid on select foreclosure properties from anywhere in real time.

The user can participate in multiple auctions, and even watch the bidding process unfold live, with the ability to increase bids on the go.

Users can also opt for automated bidding where the system places bids for them.

The Remote Bid feature is accessible in over 900 counties and notifies users when auctions begin on their saved remote-bid eligible properties.

 

Direct Offer

Direct Offer allows buyers to make direct offers to sellers on specific bank-owned properties, bypassing the traditional auction process.

Users can navigate to the “Buying Type” tab on the Search Results Page and browse through available properties eligible for direct offers.

After choosing a property, users can view its details and set their offer price with the seller accepting or declining the offer.

Learn more about the features of this platform from our Auction.com review.

 

Plans and Pricing

Bidding on Auction.com is free of realtor fees and commissions. But for some properties, you must pay a buyer’s premium of $2,500, or 5% (whichever is greater) when you win an auction.

Auction winners will also need to make an earnest money deposit of 5%, or $2,500 (whichever is greater), 24 hours after the auction closes, with a copy of the closing company’s receipt of funds and proof of funds.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Ease of use. Compared to other auction platforms, Auction.com offers a user-friendly experience and is very easy to navigate.

• Exclusive listings. As one of the best foreclosure sites, Auction.com provides unique, exclusive access to a wide range of bank-owned properties, providing a breadth of options not readily accessible on other land auction websites.

• Closing specialists. In addition to facilitating bidding, Auction.com also provides users with the support of a closing specialist. This expert assists in the post-auction process by liaising with all the involved parties to ensure a smooth and efficient closing process, relieving users of potential post-bidding stresses and hand-holding them through finalizing their acquisition.

 

Cons

• Lackluster customer service. Many users have complained about the platform’s customer service. Reports include unresponsive customer service representatives and unresolved queries, indicating inadequate handling of customer inquiries and issues.

• Reserve bidding. Auction.com can bid up a property themselves if it hasn’t met the seller’s reserve price. This means that bidders with the highest bids may not always win the auction.

• Cancellation fee. Compared to other platforms, Auction.com charges a hefty cancellation fee of $2,500 for failing to adhere to post-auction commitments. This steep penalty might deter some users considering this unfair if unforeseen circumstances lead to an inability to fulfill auction obligations.

 

Integrations

• NetDirector
• Parsey
• Follow Up Boss
• DocuSign

Xome is an auction marketplace featuring thousands of exclusively listed properties. The platform boasts one of the largest home search engines in the world.

It spans the full spectrum of default loan servicing-related property transactions, from high-end luxury estates to bulk sales.

Xome features a property value estimator, which provides users with access to a chart indicating the historical Xome Value® for the property.

Xome also prides itself on its exceptional customer service. Xome Concierge representatives are readily available to guide customers through the auction process, ensuring a seamless and satisfactory user experience.

Notably, Xome offers a pre-auction offer feature, giving users the ability to place offers up to a week before the auction event begins, providing an extra degree of flexibility.

Additional features, such as an auction calendar, auction simulator, buyers’ incentives, and more, make Xome a comprehensive and advanced platform for online real estate auctions.

 

Features

Property Value Estimator

This feature allows users to view a chart reflecting the historical Xome Value® of any desired property.

Users can access a range of property-related data, including estimated value, market activity, property facts, price and tax history, market supply and demand.

 

Pre-Auction Offers

This feature lets potential buyers submit offers on select properties before the auction begins, typically at least 48 hours prior.

If the seller accepts the offer and a purchase agreement is signed, the property will no longer be available for auction. This feature reduces competition for specific properties by allowing early bidding.

 

Bid Increments

A bid increment is the lowest amount by which a bid amount must go up during an auction.

Xome integrates a dynamic adjusting mechanism for bid increments in cases of lull in the bidding process.

As the auction progresses, if there’s a noticeable drop in bidding frequency, the auctioneer can modify and reduce the size of bid increments.

Xome also offers bidders the option to submit their best and final bid in one move. This bid simply needs to exceed the current bid amount.

 

Xpert Seller

Xpert Seller is a unique forbearance solution that helps homeowners sell their properties quickly and at the best price.

With Xpert Seller, homeowners and land owners can take advantage of a 45-day auction period, during which their property will be marketed aggressively to attract potential buyers.

If the listing doesn’t receive an acceptable offer after three auction runs, Xpert Seller transitions to a traditional sale process, ensuring that the property is sold promptly and for the highest price.

 

Plans and Pricing

The fees associated with buying properties on the platform vary, but general fees include the total purchase price, a buyer’s premium, and closing costs.

Xome requires that users place a $1,000 hold on their credit card to register for each auction.

Winning bidders pay a buyer’s premium which is 5% of the winning bid, or $2,500 on selected properties on the platform. The platform also charges a 1% service fee for each transaction.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to use. It’s very easy to bid on Xome properties. For newbies, the platform offers the Xome Auction simulator. This takes them through the process of due diligence and bidding on properties up to fixing and flipping or renting out properties.

• Online auctions. Xome auctions are done completely online, allowing anyone from anywhere to participate.

• Large collection of real estate data. Xome boasts 98% MLS data, refreshed almost in real time.

 

Cons

• Auctions are non-binding. Sellers can reject the winning bid, and anyone can counter-offer even after the close of the auction.

• Expensive. Xome charges a 1% platform fee aside from the buyer’s premium and closing costs which the buyer has to pay. So, winning bidders might have to pay a 6% charge, plus closing costs on top of their accepted bid price.

• Earnest money must be paid in 48 hours. If the earnest money isn’t paid to the seller in 48 hours, the deal may fall through. Also, closing has to be completed in a maximum of 30 days.

 

Integrations

• SFREP
• GreatSchools.org
• TOTAL Connect by Alamode

Founded in 2009, Hubzu is a premier e-commerce marketplace for US residential real estate, including land auctions.

Positioned as one of the best foreclosure auction sites, it provides a comprehensive platform for real estate brokers, investors, and buyers to explore and bid on an array of properties, encompassing bank-owned properties, short sales, and foreclosures.

Hubzu is known for its unique features like non-performing loan purchases, which give real estate investors the opportunity to buy delinquent loans from financial institutions.

The platform also boasts pre-auction listings that let users preview, monitor, and study properties before auction.

With over 3,500 active properties for sale and over 212,000 homes sold through their transparent online process, Hubzu effectively leverages smart technology and optimized procedures to facilitate fast, easy, and convenient transactions for sellers and buyers.

The platform also features a mobile app for user accessibility.

 

Features

Pre-Auction Listings

Introduced in 2016, the Pre-Auction Listings feature allows users to preview, monitor, and research properties before they go live on Hubzu Auction.

It provides insights into how many other people are watching the same auction and allows users to set automatic bidding amounts.

Users can also adjust their maximum bid upon receiving an email notification that they’ve been outbid.

 

CWCOT Property Bids

This feature gives users the opportunity to place bids on homes that are part of the FHA’s Claims Without Conveyance of Title (CWCOT) program.

Users save money by purchasing off-market, HUD-backed foreclosure properties.

These properties can be easily searched and bid on without a buyer’s premium.

 

Real-Time Notifications

Users can stay informed about their bids and offers via email and SMS notifications.

The system can alert a user when they’ve been outbid, when an auction is nearing its end, or about upcoming auctions and newly listed properties.

This feature allows users to promptly respond to auction outbids, auction end times, and other crucial updates, through their preferred notification method.

 

Non-Performing Loan Auctions

Hubzu takes online land auctions a notch higher by inviting bids on non-performing loans nearing default or already defaulted.

Bidding can be done on loans that are in the foreclosure or pre-foreclosure stage with the highest bidder being awarded the loan, and collaborating with a pre-assigned law firm to close on the loan.

Upon successfully closing the loan, the buyer can work with the seller to either modify the existing loan terms or foreclose on the property.

 

Plans and Pricing

Registration on the platform is free, but most homes require bid winners to pay a 5% buyer’s premium.

A buyer’s agent commission of 2.5% is also charged upon closing a winning bid (if you’re using a buyer’s agent). You’ll also be required to make a 3% earnest money deposit.

For buyers who purchase properties through its No Time Limit Marketing program, aside from the above fees, Hubzu charges a technology fee of $299.

This fee helps cover the cost of running the Hubzu platform. Fee amounts for each property are noted on the Property Details Page in the Property Fees section.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Wide selection of properties. Hubzu provides a broad array of distinctive properties for sale. Properties available for bidding include residential foreclosures, short sales, deed in lieu, CWCOT, and other land owned by lenders.

• Innovative features. Hubzu constantly introduces innovative features to enhance its user experience. One such feature is the FHA 203(K) rehab financing option, available for some properties, that allows buyers to finance both their property purchase and renovation with a single loan.

• Mobile app. It lets users bid and monitor auctions from their handheld devices, imparting ease and accessibility to online land auctions.

 

Cons

• High fees. In addition to the bid price and closing costs which include a 5% buyer’s premium, winning bidders sometimes have to pay technology fees for specific properties. They are also required to pay a buyer’s agent fee (if using a buyer’s agent).

• Complaints about the bidding process. There have been cases where properties were put back on auction despite having already received high or successful bids. This could lead to confusion and dissatisfaction among prospective bidders, ultimately affecting the platform’s credibility.

• No warranty deed. Hubzu does not offer a warranty deed. This means the buyer is not protected if the seller doesn’t hold a clear title to the property.

 

Integrations

• RentRange
• Equator

Established in 2001, Proxibid is a secure online auction platform that uses an adept combination of proprietary technology, manual processes, and third-party partnerships to ensure secure online transactions.

Proxibid offers auctions across various categories, including construction, industrial items, real estate, and arts.

A unique feature of the platform is its real-time audio and video streaming, which allows remote participants to hear the auctioneer’s announcements and view items as if they were present onsite.

Proxibid also offers a convenient “Auto Bid” feature that lets buyers enter the maximum amount they are willing to pay for an item, while the system bids on their behalf up to that amount.

The platform boasts 10,000 new members each month and is part of Auction Technology Group PLC, which operates the world’s leading marketplaces and auction services for online auctions.

 

Features

Live Auctions

Proxibid’s live auctions combine the excitement of a traditional auction with the convenience of online bidding.

Sellers can upload their inventory in advance, allowing pre-bids to roll in before the live event.

On auction day, the event goes live, and online bidders can watch and bid in real time, competing with onsite bidders and experiencing the excitement of the auction as it happens.

Live auctions are run by experienced auctioneers who ensure a fair and transparent bidding process.

Plus, some sellers offer live audio and video, giving online bidders a truly immersive experience.

 

Timed Auctions

Proxibid’s timed auctions are online-only auctions that enable users to bid on items over a fixed period, as opposed to bidding in real time with an auctioneer.

Users place bids during the auction’s set time frame, and the highest bid at closing time wins the item.

The timed auction also has bidding time extension capability. This allows the system to automatically extend the bidding time if a bid is placed within the final minutes of an auction, ensuring that the highest bidder always wins.

 

Pre-Bids

The pre-bid feature, also called absentee bids, allows users to place instant bids or maximum bids on an item in advance.

You can place a pre-bid by clicking the Bid Now button to the right of the item if it already has bids.

If it doesn’t have bids, you can easily place a pre-bid by clicking the “Place bid” button, with your bid appearing in green if it is the highest bid.

Users can also enter a maximum bid by clicking on the “Enter a Maximum Bid” link.

 

Live Video and Audio Streaming

Users can watch and listen to live auctions as they happen, providing an immersive experience.

Live video and audio streaming is available for auctions that allow such coverage, ensuring that bidders stay engaged and informed during the process.

 

Plans and Pricing

Each auction typically charges different fees, such as sales tax, internet or buyer’s premium, and agent fees.

Proxibid only handles the auctions. The terms of sale and buyer’s premium are handled individually between buyer and seller.

Each listing has its own “Terms of Sale”, with information on sales tax, buyer’s premium, methods of payment, etc.

A real estate auction event costs $1,000 per event, which is paid by the seller. The registered bidder’s fee is $60 per registered bidder.

For real estate auctions, Proxibid doesn’t currently offer live onsite agents.

Agent fees vary based on different tiers (depending on total sales numbers) and types of auction.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Seller sets the buyer’s premium. The buyer’s premium on this platform is set and received by the seller, hence there might be room for negotiation.

• Better bidder screening. The platform has a unique bidder screening system. This system enhances security and ensures a fair bidding environment by evaluating bidders on various levels. Tier 1, for example, checks for previous fraudulent bidder activity and validates credit card information. On the other hand, Tier 4 is the most stringent, requiring sellers to manually approve all participants. This robust screening process minimizes the risk of fraud and promotes confidence in the platform for both buyers and sellers.

• Audio and video streaming. Proxibid supports live audio and video streaming for some of its live auctions.

 

Cons

• Sellers can reject winning bids. Proxibid allows sellers to reject winning bids. This means even if you win the bid, you may not get the sale.

• Poor customer service. Some customers have reported that the company’s customer service was poor. Customer service team members usually refer buyers back to sellers instead of helping them resolve issues directly.

• Shady sellers. Based on reviews, some of the sellers on the platform are scammers. And Proxibid offers more protection for sellers than buyers.

 

Integrations

• Wavebid
• ATG Pay

Established in 1997, BillyLand.com is a leading online platform specializing in the sale of various types of land, including rural and recreational land for sale.

With a robust portfolio featuring over 280 parcels of owner-financed land across 50 counties and 20 states, BillyLand.com offers users a comprehensive selection and seamless buying process.

BillyLand.com’s standout advantage is its flexible financing options. The platform allows buyers to purchase owner-financed land without credit checks, making land ownership more accessible.

Enhancing the user’s experience, BillyLand.com utilizes innovative features like Satellite/3D imagery for detailed property viewing.

 

Features

3D Land Videos

This recently added feature allows potential buyers to experience high-definition videos of available land for sale.

The 3D land video enables viewers to view the terrain, vegetation, and other features specific to the property they’re interested in.

 

Multi-Channel Bids

Users can place bids via a variety of communication channels, making bidding accessible and convenient. Bids can be placed online or through phone calls, faxes, and text messages.

Once the user places a bid through any of these channels, the platform automatically enters a floor bid on behalf of the user, ensuring their participation in the ongoing auction.

 

Owner Financing

BillyLand.com offers owner-financed land, allowing buyers to purchase land with low down payments and affordable monthly installments.

This significantly simplifies the purchasing process as it doesn’t mandate a credit check. Buyers can bid for the down payment, and opt to pay the rest of the loan over a time span of 10 to 20 years.

 

Plans and Pricing

Membership is free, but winning bidders must pay a document processing fee of $249.00 for each auction they win.

This covers the cost of document preparation and FedEx mailing. The fee must be paid no later than 10 business days after the auction closes. There is no buyer’s premium attached to any auction.

Users will also be charged a $6.00 payment processing fee for each installment of their Payment Plan purchases.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordable prices. The platform offers one of the lowest prices when it comes to land auctions.

• Easy process. Membership is not required to bid on land, and the bidding and closing process is very straightforward.

• Focus on owner-financed land. BillyLand offers Bid Plus Finance or Bid and Assume auctions. So, users only bid on the down payment. Each land listing will detail its own financing terms and assumable balance information.

• No buyers premium. BillyLand does not take a buyer’s premium on any listing, which makes it one of the most affordable land auction websites around.

 

Cons

• Outdated interface. Users have reported that the platform has an outdated and less user-friendly interface.

• Lacks a mobile app. In today’s mobile-first world, the absence of a dedicated mobile app for BillyLand.com is seen as a significant drawback. This limits users’ ability to conveniently place and monitor bids from their mobile devices, especially while on the move.

• Due diligence required. Some of the properties listed may not have a clean title, while the platform offers compensation of up to $2,000 for properties with verifiable defects in title. Buyers must do their own due diligence.

Specializing in ranch, farmland, and equipment auctions, RanchandFarmAuctions.com is one of the best land auction sites.

A division of Whitetail Properties Real Estate, the platform leverages robust marketing strategies to deliver a profitable and user-friendly auction experience for various types of real estate investors.

Auctions are conducted live or at a nearby location and broadcast live through the Williams & Williams Auction Network.

Notable aspects of RanchandFarmAuctions.com include an auction calendar that enables users to efficiently track and plan for upcoming land auctions online.

The platform also facilitates pre-bids, giving bidders the flexibility to place maximum bids before the auction starts.

The platform hosts a wide geographical reach with listed land for sale in over 20 states across America.

 

Features

Auction Calendar

This feature provides users with a comprehensive calendar view of all upcoming land and farm auctions. Users can also click on the auctions to view more details about the property.

 

3D Imagery

Ranch and Farm Auctions allows users to view land and properties in high-definition 3D.

This enhances the property exploration experience by offering a detailed view of farms and ranches from different angles and the ability to zoom into specific aspects, helping them get a clear picture of the property’s layout.

 

Pre-Bids

Pre-bids are a feature of Ranch and Farm Auctions that allows users to bid on properties before the auction begins.

They will be notified when bidding on an item exceeds their maximum bid, and can choose whether or not to return and increase the maximum bid.

 

Featured Auctions

Featured auctions are highlighted auctions that are either currently active or upcoming. Detailed information on each auction, including high quality photos and videos of properties, can be accessed with a single click.

 

Plans and Pricing

Auctions are free to view and bid on. But users pay a buyer’s premium when they win bids.

The buyer’s premium ranges from 0 to 5 percent. There might also be discounts on buyer’s premiums for pre-bid winning offers. Each listed property has its own terms.

 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Filters. The website offers different filters to narrow down your search results. You can easily use filters by state, status, and acreage to find what you’re looking for.

• Detailed property information. The platform offers detailed property information for each property listing. The website provides high-quality aerial videos and 3D photos, soil maps, and more. This information is organized in an easy-to-navigate structure.

• Affordability. There are no charges for searching for properties or bidding on the platform. For many properties listed on the platform, there is no buyer’s premium on winning bids.

 

Cons

• No mobile app. The platform does not have a mobile app making it less preferable for users who prefer bidding or tracking auctions on the go.

• Limited coverage. RanchandFarmAuctions.com doesn’t cover all 50 states across the United States suggesting a limited reach. This could potentially exclude certain users or limit their choices depending on geographical restrictions.

• Limited online reviews. There’s a scarcity of reviews and feedback available online about RanchandFarmAuctions.com.

 

__

About the Author:

With over 20+ years of experience in real estate investment and renovation, Brian Robbins brings extensive knowledge and innovative solutions to the HouseCashin team. Over the years Brian has been involved in over 300 transactions of income producing properties across the US. Along with his passion for real estate, Brian brings with him a deep understanding of real estate risks and financing.