QUESTIONS? Email us at:
auctioninfo@albanycounty.com

AUCTION LISTING

The auction listing is segregated into three distinct sections to draw attention to known conditions and structural issues:

1. Parcels 1-199 are offered for sale via public bid. While many issues exist for properties neglected and abandoned by owners over a period of time, those in this section have not been flagged with significant codes violations, structural defects, or historic value.

2. Parcels 200-299 are properties that have previously been offered for sale via public bid and failed to close. These properties were likely overbid at prior auction, so extra care should be taken in researching zoning, codes and potential use before bidding.

3. Parcels 300-399 are properties that potentially have considerable risk, such as properties with suspected structural issues, environmental contamination, and those needing additional legal action prior to closing. Properties with significant historic value will be listed here also. These properties require submission of a Request for Bid form [PDF*] disclosing intended use, construction timeframe and ability to rehab, and funding available for anticipated costs.

INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

All interested parties are urged to attend the Auction Informational Meetings before each auction. Here you can learn about the auction process, ask questions, and view detailed property information folders. The folders are also available for viewing weekdays in Room 800 at 112 State Street, Albany.

Please read the terms and conditions of the auction carefully. If you don't already know how much you can afford to invest, find out. Ask a mortgage company or your banker to pre-qualify you for financing. You don't need to actually apply for a loan before the auction, just determine a ballpark figure which you could comfortably borrow on your income and expenses. Keep in mind that there is NO contingency in the Terms & Conditions and the contract for your inability to obtain financing.

If one or more of the properties listed interests you, come to the scheduled showings listed online and in the printed brochure. All auctioned real estate is offered "as is and where is." If you're seriously interested, have an inspector or contractor look over the property with you. Determine what the property is worth to you "as is"—if this amount is within your price range, then this is your working bid.

ONLINE BIDDING

The County may use online bidding for parcels, where appropriate. Please see the brochure for each auction for details on bid closing dates. Brochures are generally available 5 weeks prior to the auction date. Where bids are being accepted online, those bids will be verified by Finance staff prior to posting. If you have not viewed the property and examined the property folder, you cannot bid online. 

Where bids are being recorded via live bidding the on site auction registration usually begins two hours before the Auction. Please see the printed brochure for details. There may be a line, but don't worry: Albany County wants all the bidders to participate. The registration staff will efficiently move you through the process and assign you a bidder number.

You will be required to provide positive identification (e.g., photo drivers license) and your social security number. If you are purchasing for a business you will have to provide a Certificate of Incorporation and a Federal ID number at the time of bidder registration. If you are bidding on behalf of someone else, you will additionally need their full name, address and social security number, and a signed letter authorizing you to bid on their behalf at time of bidder registration.

The name you register under will be the name that appears on the deed. Changes cannot be made after the close of bidding.