🏡💵Real Estate Auctions in Westchester County, NY: A Comprehensive Guide

Going Once, Going Twice-Sold!

Buying for yourself or Looking for an Investment

If you're in the market for a new home or investment property in Westchester County, New York, you may want to consider exploring real estate auctions as an alternative to the traditional buying process. Real estate auctions offer a unique and innovative method of selling properties, providing a platform for intense, accelerated marketing through competitive bidding. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of real estate auctions, the different types of auctions, and provide valuable insights on how to successfully navigate the auction process.

What is a Real Estate Auction?

A real estate auction is a public sale of a property, conducted by either the homeowner, homebuilder, government, or a bank. Homeowners may choose to auction their property to facilitate a quick sale, while homebuilders may opt for auctioning a group of homes that have been on the market for an extended period without attracting sufficient buyer interest. Additionally, the government can seize properties from individuals who have failed to pay their taxes or violated federal laws and subsequently auction them off. Another common type of auction involves bank-owned properties, where the bank auctions a home instead of selling it through foreclosure.

Types of Real Estate Auctions:

1.  Minimum Bid Auction: In this type of auction, the auctioneer establishes a minimum price that must be met for the property to be sold. This minimum price is typically published in the auction listing materials, allowing potential buyers to determine the starting point for bidding.

2. Absolute Auction: An absolute auction does not have a minimum price requirement. The property is sold to the highest bidder, regardless of the bid amount. This type of auction often attracts more bidders and generates a higher level of competition.

3. Reserve Auction: A reserve auction allows the seller to review the bids and accept or reject the highest offer within a predetermined time frame. The seller has the right to set a reserve price, which represents the minimum price they are willing to accept for the property. If the highest bid does not meet or exceed the reserve price, the property may not be sold.

How to Buy a Home at Auction:

Purchasing a home at an auction requires a different approach than the traditional process of touring homes, making offers, and negotiating with sellers. Here are the key steps to buying a home at auction:

Review Auction Listings: Begin by researching auction listings to gather information about the properties scheduled for auction, including dates and locations. You can find this information at your county recorder's office, county website, or resources like the U.S. Treasury's Real Property Auctions.

Prepare Financially: Most auctions require the winning bidder to provide a cashier's check for the minimum amount specified by the auction holder. You will also need to cover auction fees, bidding fees, and make a deposit (earnest money) before leaving the auction site. Ensure that you have enough liquid assets to cover these costs.

Determine Financing Options: 

While most auctions do not permit financing, some may offer this option. If you are interested in a property that allows financing, get pre-qualified before the auction. Additionally, consider attending open houses to assess the property's condition, estimate renovation costs, calculate your bottom line, and determine your total investment.

What to Bring to a House Auction:

To ensure a smooth auction experience, make sure to bring the following items:

1. Cashier's Check: You will need a cashier's check to cover auction fees, bidding fees, and earnest money deposit.

2. Loan Documentation: If financing is permitted, bring proof of your financing arrangements.

Should You Buy a House at Auction?

While real estate auctions can offer the opportunity to purchase a property at a potentially lower price, it is crucial to approach them with caution. Many auctioned homes were previously owned by individuals

☝How Clutter can ruin your home sale with lower offers

How to Deal With House Clutter (Before You Sell)

Selling a home can feel stressful—especially when you’re looking around and realizing there’s simply too much stuff. Clutter is one of the biggest “silent” obstacles because it can make rooms feel smaller, distract from the home’s best features, and make it harder for a buyer to understand the layout.

Why clutter makes a home harder to sell

• Spaces feel smaller when surfaces and corners are packed.
• Buyers miss features like fireplaces, trim, or flooring when their eyes are pulled to clutter.
• Traffic flow feels tight when walking paths aren’t clear.
• It’s harder to visualize how the rooms function when every area is full.

Step-by-step decluttering tips that actually work

1) Make rooms feel bigger (remove extras + open the layout)

Clutter creates the illusion of a smaller home. A crowded room makes it hard to appreciate the size and potential of the space. Start by removing unnecessary items from each room, then rearrange furniture so the room reads “open” the second you walk in.

If you need a temporary place for items you don’t need day-to-day, consider off-site storage while your home is being shown.

2) Keep the home looking clean and cared for

Clutter can unintentionally signal “unfinished work,” even when the house is in great shape. The goal is simple: make it easy for someone to walk in and feel like the home is clean, bright, and well maintained.

Quick wins: clear countertops, clear floors, empty trash daily, and wipe down surfaces. If you want help, I can point you toward local pros who do move-out and pre-sale cleanups.

3) Help buyers notice the home’s best features

When someone’s attention gets pulled toward clutter, they may miss the features that matter—fireplaces, hardwood floors, crown molding, natural light, built-ins, and more. Clearing visual noise helps the house “show” the way it should.

4) Depersonalize (create a clean, neutral canvas)

Personal items can make it harder for buyers to mentally place their own furniture and belongings. Put away most photos, trophies, and collections. The goal isn’t to make the home feel cold—it’s to make it feel easy to walk through and understand.

5) Clear pathways (make the layout feel simple)

Buyers need to move naturally through the home. When a space is cluttered, the layout can feel confusing and tight. Create clear walking paths, open up entry areas, and remove anything that blocks flow.

6) Stage for function (show how each room can be used)

Clutter makes it harder to see the “purpose” of a room. A simple setup helps people understand: where the dining table goes, how a living room can be arranged, how a home office might fit, and so on.

Quick checklist you can use today

• Clear countertops and tables (kitchen + baths first).
• Open up entryways and hallways so flow feels easy.
• Pack away most personal items and extra décor.
• Reduce closet overflow (buyers always look).
• Keep floors visible and rooms simple.
• Do a fast daily “reset” while the home is on the market.

Clutter doesn’t mean a home isn’t great—it just means the story is harder to see. When you declutter, the home feels bigger, cleaner, and easier to understand, which usually leads to stronger showings and better offers.

---

Contact

Thomas Roberts
Real Estate Agent with William Raveis
Call/Text: 914-755-9816
https://linktr.ee/Realtortom