subject: Real Estate Investment: Estate Sales And Auctions In Virginia, Washington, Maryland [print this page] Estate sales and auctions are an often-overlooked source of investment property, and part of the reason that they are not so well known or covered may be that they are a bit obscure. Whereas most investment property is sold in conventional ways, by advertising in the multiple listing service or local newspapers and magazines, estate and auction property is generally sold with less exposure, or with exposure to an audience that may not include many investors. But because estates and auctioned properties often represent below-market value, discovering them is often well worth the extra homework.
To stay informed about such sales in your region, contact those who work in the auction business, and tell them to put you on their mailing lists. And scan the papers and public bulletin boards for announcements of estate sales, which often happen quickly as the result of death and subsequent liquidation of assets by an appointed executor.
The rules for bidding on such properties may vary from state to state, and before bidding on any property it is wise to do a background check to make sure the real estate investment does not come with any unforeseen liens attached. But most of the time, estate and auction sales are rather straightforward affairs, and can be a great way to buy bargain property.
