Auctioned properties can be a lucrative way to acquire an asset under your name. The prices are usually way lower below market value and can be a steal at times. However, nothing comes risk free and you should be aware of the pitfalls you could be stumbling onto when purchasing an auctioned property. Let’s take a look at some of the things involved.
1. Process
Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to bid at a property auction.
Process
You may register prior to the auction sale or on the auction day. You need a cashier’s order or bank draft equivalent to 5% (Loan Agreement Cum Assignment-LACA) auction or 10% (Non-LACA auction) of the reserve price of the property that you wish to bid for. You should arrive 30 minutes before an auction if you intend to register on the auction day.
After registration you can bid for the property you wish to purchase. Don’t be rash and bid more than the initial limit you have set.
The successful bidder will have to sign a Sales Contract and pay the first 5% or 10% of the final bid price, and settle the remaining balance within a certain period of time (common time frame is 3 months).
In most cases the amount will be greater than the deposit based on the reserve price, so bring along your cheque book and be prepared to fork out more.
2. Advantages
The major factor that encourages buyers to purchase auctioned properties is that their values are somewhat lower than the market value. Buyers stand to make up to 20% of saving from the market price. There are cases where no reserve price were attached to the properties, and that the highest bid wins the bid. If the bidding has little or no competition, you will have a higher chance to win the bid.
The second advantage is owning a property quickly since most of the necessary procedures such as valuations are usually done beforehand. Besides that, once signed, the participants are legally bound to transaction so this prevents the seller from accepting a higher offer from another party in the future.
3. Disadvantages
Uncertainty
The bidders are usually not allowed to view the interior of the buildings. The new owner takes the risk of having to bear a large amount of money to repair damages left behind by the previous owner.
Outstanding Payments
Outstanding utilities bill, tax and maintenance fees will usually be borne by the new owners. This is why we don’t encourage buyers to bid more than their initial tolerance limit; to spare some reserves for damages.
Occupied Property
Since auction properties are not guaranteed with vacant possession, there is a chance that the property is occupied (by previous owner or tenant). Once the purchase is done, these problems belongs to you and yourself.
4. Tips
There are some basic tips which you can do to avoid or solve the problems if you are interested in buying auction property.
- Inspect the subject property beforehand to check on the external condition of the property and whether someone is occupying the property. If possible, ask the occupant (if any) to have a view of the interior of the property, or ask the neighbours to do you a favour to view their house with a similar layout (be prepared to receive hostile treatment). Try to dig up information from the neighbours about the nature of the previous owner.
- Visit the management office to find out the outstanding maintenance fees. It’s not difficult to get information disclosure as the management would likely welcome a potential owner to cover the balance amount.
Conclusion
On top of the hidden uncertainties faced, auction property buyers also share the same challenges as any home buyers like securing a housing loan, lower valuations and higher upfront cost. We highly encourage buyers to conduct a thorough research first and judge wisely whether the advantages outweighs the problems. Additionally, gaining and flipping from auctioned properties is usually the game for seasoned property investors and not for first time home buyers so think twice before taking the plunge.
- I Vision Properties -
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