How Bid a House works

For sellers

You choose a package, we help you present the home well, and you keep a private reserve so it only sells at a price you've agreed to.

1. 1

   Apply

   Tell us about your home and add a few phone photos. It takes about ten minutes, and you can save and come back.

2. 2

   Get approved

   Our team reviews every home, usually within two business days. Nothing is charged when you apply.

3. 3

   Sign, set your reserve, and pay

   Sign the listing and broker agreements, fill out the Idaho seller disclosure, set a private reserve, and pay for your package.

4. 4

   We prepare the listing

   Photos, a writeup, and an inspection, depending on your package. You approve the listing before it goes live.

5. 5

   Run a 10-day auction

   Bidding is public. If bidding reaches your reserve, the home sells to the high bidder. If it doesn't, you don't have to sell.

For buyers

Anyone can read listings and comments. To bid, you register once, and we confirm you can close on what you bid.

1. 1

   Read the listing

   Every home has real photos, a full writeup, the seller's disclosures, and an open comment thread where you can ask questions.

2. 2

   Register to bid

   Verify your identity, upload proof of funds or a mortgage pre-approval, and save a card for a refundable $5,000 hold.

3. 3

   Bid in public

   Every bid shows up on the listing. A bid in the last two minutes resets the clock to two minutes, so nobody wins by sniping.

4. 4

   Sign and close

   The winner e-signs an Idaho purchase agreement within 24 hours and sends 3% earnest money to the title company, which handles closing.

The auction rules

Length

Every auction runs for 10 days.

Soft close

A bid in the last two minutes resets the clock to two minutes. The auction ends after two quiet minutes.

Reserve

The seller sets a private minimum. Bidders see whether it's been met, never the amount.

Buyer's premium

The winning bidder pays a 2% buyer's premium on top of the winning bid. You'll see the total before you confirm any bid.

Bidding hold

Your first bid on a home places a refundable $5,000 hold on your card. It's released after the auction unless you win.

Earnest money

The winner sends 3% earnest money to the title company within 24 hours. Bid a House never holds it.

Every sale is handled by an Idaho-licensed designated broker, named on each listing, and closes through a licensed Idaho title company.