Bid4Assets is an online auction platform specializing in real estate. According to the company, over 125,000 properties have been sold and more than $1 billion in total sales have been made since 1999.[1]
Local government entities, like county treasurers and sheriff’s offices, widely use the platform to auction off properties tied to tax defaults, foreclosures, and legal forfeitures. Many buyers are experienced real estate investors seeking distressed or discounted properties.
Its online auction model is straightforward: Buyers bid during active auctions, and the highest bidder wins if the reserve is met. A 10% buyer’s premium often applies. Sellers set auction terms.
While Bid4Assets may appeal to institutional sellers or seasoned investors, it’s not your only option. If you're looking to sell quickly and transparently, platforms like Clever Offers let you compare multiple competitive offers from vetted buyers, helping you sell fast without the uncertainties of an auction. Answer a few quick questions to secure multiple offers from top investors today!
Bid4Assets at a glance
| ⭐ Customer rating | 2.33 (out of 3 BBB reviews); A+ rating |
| 💲 Offer range | Likely average |
| 💲 How it works | Seller sets a minimum bid and can choose whether to set a reserve price; Buyers can bid manually or use incremental auto-bid |
| 💵 Fees and other costs | Buyer’s premium (10%), and seller’s listing fee ($10) |
| 🚦 Purchase criteria | Residential properties, commercial properties, and land |
| 🌎 Availability | Nationwide |
Should you use Bid4Assets?
Bid4Assets may appeal to buyers open to high-risk and unconventional real estate purchasing options.
This platform is better suited for buyers and investors in a browsing phase rather than urgently seeking a property to purchase. Most properties on the platform are sold as-is and often require significant repairs, making it better suited for investors, not those looking for a move-in-ready home.
The platform also works better for institutional sellers, such as government agencies, than individual homeowners looking to sell a house fast or sell a home in poor condition.
Like other cash home buyers, auction platforms attract offers well below market value. The investors who bid on these platforms typically pay only about 50-70% of a home's after-repair value, so weigh your options carefully before committing to an auction.
Because listings often come with legal or financial complications, like delinquent taxes or unclear property conditions, buyers need to do extensive due diligence. Meanwhile, sellers hoping to get close to market value may want to explore other options, including cash offer marketplaces like Clever Offers.
You may want to use Bid4Assets if you:
- Have an extensive understanding of the restrictions that come with some government auctions, such as title issues, zoning requirements, owing back taxes, foreclosures, liens, impounds, etc.
- Are an experienced buyer and/or seller of real estate properties and know what to do and where to turn throughout the process.
- Want to sell off assets quickly and aren't concerned with obtaining the full market value.
- Have the knowledge, time, and resources to perform due diligence (e.g., property inspections, title searches, investigating money owed) within a very short timeframe.
⚠️ If you’re a homeowner looking to sell quickly without major risk, Bid4Assets is likely not your best option. Try alternatives like Clever Offers to compare multiple cash offers up front with no obligation.
Does Bid4Assets really sell $1 land?
Bid4Assets has its Absolute Auctions page, which offers parcels of land with a starting bid of just $1.00 and no reserve price.
For instance, several lots, around a quarter-acre to a half-acre in size, are available in Cherokee Village, AR, as well as some one-off parcels in Texas, Pennsylvania, and California (as of article publication).
However, terms and fees are buried in the description, so you must do your research before placing a bid. For the various Cherokee Village lots, for example, the buyer must pay “a buyer's premium of 10% with a $100 minimum and a closing fee of $500, which includes deed preparation, recording fees, and transfer taxes.”
Annual property taxes will also be owed. Another 5-acre lot in California has an opening bid of $1. Still, the property has a recorded lien against it of over $20K, and the “buyer must pay all outstanding liens, back taxes, and closing costs at closing, no exception.”
As for completed listings, one 0.04-acre property in Mammoth, AZ, started with an opening bid of $1 but ended after 29 bids at a $4,900 winning bid. The winner was also responsible for a 10% ($490) buyer’s premium and a $500 deed processing fee. Another half-acre lot in Pocono Springs, PA, ended after 10 bids with a winning bid of $3,000, as well as the same fees (10% + $500).
Bid4Assets pros and cons
Pros
- Relatively trustworthy platform
- Buyers can find properties significantly below market value
- Diverse inventory (e.g., homes, restaurants, empty lots)
- Far less competition for buyers compared to other platforms
Cons
- Very limited reviews
- Hard to inspect properties or verify condition beforehand
- Agents typically can’t help with these sales
- Many listings have issues like back taxes, liens, or zoning problems
Overall, Bid4Assets is a reputable brand, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Sellers that are government agencies with large, diverse portfolios to offload will be better served than retail investors or private homeowners.
Buyers, on the other hand, can often find great deals, at least on paper. If you’re looking to bid on property through this site, be extra careful about understanding the fine print, doing due diligence, and not feeling rushed to decide.
» How to Buy a House: The Ultimate Guide
What customers say about Bid4Assets
Although they have been around for over 25 years, we found few reviews on Bid4Assets.
One positive review from the Better Business Bureau mentioned their quick refund process. Also, a few Reddit posters noted that Bid4Assets can be a good way to find cheap real estate deals.
Negative reviews outnumbered the positive ones, although they're still too few to tell a complete story. One client raised concerns about the customer service's unresponsiveness, and another potential buyer mentioned a buggy website as one of the main issues.
Is Bid4Assets a legitimate business?
Yes, Bid4Assets is a legitimate company that has been in operation for over 25 years. The platform is a trusted partner of over 100 government and law enforcement agency sellers nationwide.
Some of the company’s criticism comes from the types of properties it auctions. Many are sold as-is, sight unseen, and may have lien or title issues, making it riskier for buyers.
The company is headquartered in Bethesda, MD. While Bid4Assets isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it holds an A+ rating, which reflects how the BBB believes the company handles customer complaints, not the quality of its services or customer experience. The A+ rating is the highest possible and generally indicates a good track record of responsiveness and transparency in resolving issues.[2]
Bid4Assets vs. alternatives
| Company | Best for |
|---|---|
| Bid4Assets | Auction-savvy investors |
| Xome | Private sellers of distressed properties |
| Hubzu | Buyers looking for foreclosed properties |
| Auction.com | Investors searching for a wide selection of deals |
Other real estate auction platforms, such as Xome, Hubzu, and Auction.com, are Bid4Assets's main competitors. However, Bid4Assets stands out because its ideal user is only the most experienced real estate investor.
Xome and Hubzu have significantly higher customer ratings and offer better protection and a wider inventory for mainstream buyers. On these websites, you can also find auctions for decent-condition properties sold by owners.
While Auction.com has a similarly low rating compared to Bid4Assets, its website is more user-friendly, and many properties come with more detailed information about their current condition and potential issues, such as liens or title problems.
If you’re a homeowner looking to sell fast without auction uncertainty, a cash home buyer may be a better fit. Services like Clever Offers let you compare multiple cash offers with fewer risks, helping you sell quickly and confidently. Fill out this quick form to find your best offers today!
How does Bid4Assets work?
For sellers
- Register: Create a free account and log in.
- Apply: First-time sellers must apply on Bid4Assets, which the company reviews on a case-by-case basis.
- Verify ID: If approved to sell, you must perform an identity verification process. A representative will contact you when necessary.
- Prove ownership: As a new seller, you must upload proof of ownership for the first three properties you’ll list.
- List: Use a single-page listing form to fill out all the details, including location, categories, descriptions, images, and more, and set your auction terms.
For buyers
- Register: While you can browse without registering, you must create an account and log in to place a bid.
- Search: Do a keyword search, or search by category, state, or specialty channel.
- Due diligence: Before bidding on any property, it is critical to thoroughly investigate the property and review the terms and conditions.
- Bid: Add a valid credit card to enable bidding, and submit a “BidDeposit” if applicable. Enter the maximum you’d be willing to pay (before any fees listed in the seller’s description), and the platform will auto-bid on your behalf until that amount is reached.
- Pay: If you win an auction, you’ll receive a notification to pay, which must happen within 48 hours of winning. Government auctions will have a “DeedWizard” step, allowing you to title the property.
Fees and costs
For sellers, Bid4Assets has transparent, easy-to-comprehend pricing:
- Flat $10 fee to post each listing.
- 10% “Auction Completion Fee,” owed on the final sales price, with a $500 minimum for real estate.
Sellers can also make use of their à la carte auction services, including:
- Auction cancellation fees of $50 (auction with no bids) or $100 (with bids).
- Custom support services (e.g., database searches, creating auction listings) are available for $75/hour (2-hour minimum).
- Rush listings (release within 24 hours) at $25 per auction.
For buyers, Bid4Assets usually doesn’t charge anything itself. However, take into account that:
- Most sellers will pass the 10% auction completion fee to the buyer.
- Bid4Assets will authorize your credit card for $1 when you place it on file.
- You may have to submit a bid deposit before bidding on certain government auctions.
- There may be a buyer’s premium on certain auctions.
- Some auctions may have administrative fees, processing fees, deed transfer fees, etc.
Purchase criteria
While the platform offers residential and some commercial properties, it also offers an abundance of land parcels for sale, including rural lots, city lots, and even non-buildable lots.
The properties can be in any condition, and most of them are distressed, coming from sheriff’s sales and foreclosures.
Availability
Buyers can find properties from all over the country, including its territories (e.g., Puerto Rico), and bid on them online.
