Your First 90 Days in Bank-Owned Auction Properties

Most people think you need a ton of money or experience to get started in real estate investing.

You don't. You need a plan — and the willingness to follow it.

Here's the exact 90-day roadmap to go from complete beginner to placing your first bid at a bank-owned property auction.

✅ Month 1: Learn + Observe

Your only job this month is to understand the room.

Go to a bank-owned property auction just to watch. No checkbook, no bids — just show up and absorb. Pay attention to how fast bidding moves, what experienced investors do, and what properties actually sell for vs. the guide price.

Also this month:

Research 2–3 local auction houses in your target area
Start learning ARV (After Repair Value) — this is how investors know if a deal is actually a deal
Ask the auctioneer what you'll need to register and participate next time

Month 1 is about removing the fear of the unknown. You don't need to be ready to buy. You need to be ready to learn.

✅ Month 2: Analyze + Network

Now you shift from observer to analyst.

Pick 5 properties from upcoming listings and run the numbers on every single one. A good starting point is the 60% rule:

Max Bid = ARV × 60% − Estimated Repair Costs

This keeps you from overpaying. For each property, estimate the after-repair value, what repairs it needs, and whether the deal makes sense at the auction price.

Equally important — start building your team:

A hard money lender. Meet one before you need one. Hard money lenders care about the property value, not your credit score.
A contractor. Someone who can walk a property and give you a fast repair estimate.
A title company or real estate attorney familiar with auction purchases in your state.

You don't need a perfect team. You need to start building one.

✅Month 3: Bid with Confidence

By Month 3, you've attended an auction, analyzed properties, and connected with a lender. You're more prepared than most people who say they want to invest in real estate.

Now place a bid.

Before you walk in, set your max number — based on your analysis, not how you feel in the room. Auctions move fast. Emotion will cost you money. Your max bid is your protection.

If you're not ready to bid yet, that's okay. There's no shame in taking more time.

But be honest with yourself — is it caution, or is it fear? Because there IS a cost to never starting. Every month you wait is a month someone else is building the portfolio you want.

🙌🏼 One Decision Changes Everything

The difference between people who invest and people who just watch is one decision.

This roadmap won't guarantee your first deal. It will guarantee you know more, have the right connections, and are ready to move when the right property comes up.

That's how it starts.

If you want a personalized plan comment below and I'll send you a private message👇🏼

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Your First 90 Days in Bank-Owned Auction Properties