auction

Auction

1. A way to sell an item in which a moderator takes bids from a number of persons for a period of time and ultimately sells to the highest bidder. For example, the moderator (called an auctioneer) may set the opening bid at $5 and, once someone offers to pay $5, may incrementally increase the requested bids until they stop. Variations on an auction may involve any number of things; for example, a person with more than one job offer may request higher salaries in turn and then finally take the highest paying position. See also: Bidding war.

2. See: Auction market.

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auction

A sales technique in which real or personal property is offered for sale and bidders make oral offers in varying amounts until one is accepted. Frequently used for involuntary transfers of real estate, such as foreclosures and tax sales. In some states, foreclosure auctioneers must be licensed.Where property is offered by the owner voluntarily for auction sale,the fine print in the auction terms usually contains a provision for a buyer's premium. The amount of the winning bid is automatically increased by the stated amount, and that percentage is used to pay the auctioneer's fees.