HUD Home Store

Through a real estate broker registered with HUD, who holds a HUD-issued NAID number and submits the bid electronically for you. You cannot bid on the site yourself. HUD pays the agent's commission from the sale, so it costs you nothing extra.

$500 for a home priced at $50,000 or less and $1,000 above that, delivered as a cashier's check with the contract package. Whether it is refunded if the deal falls through depends on the reason and your buyer type under the contract.

Typically 15 days after HUD accepts your bid, at your own expense. Each listing also carries a property condition report from HUD's contractor. HUD makes no repairs whatever the inspection finds, so price the work into the bid.

Eventually, but not at the same time. Owner-occupant buyers get an exclusive bidding window first, and investors can only bid once it closes. Every bid goes through a real estate agent registered with HUD rather than being placed by the buyer directly, which is the single most common surprise for first-timers.

Condition and the cost of fixing it. HUD does not repair, does not warrant, and often does not know what is wrong with the house. Properties sit vacant for months, which means the plumbing, roof and HVAC are the real variables. An inspection is allowed before bidding and is worth every dollar.