Auction Sale
Explore auction sales in Canadian real estate — what they are, how they work, and why they’re used for certain properties.

July 27, 2025
What is an Auction Sale?
An auction sale in real estate is a public sale where a property is sold to the highest bidder, often used for distressed properties or unique assets.
Why Auction Sales Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, auction sales provide an alternative way to sell or acquire property, often with quicker timelines and transparent pricing.
Key aspects:
- Can be voluntary or court-ordered (e.g., foreclosure)
- Typically sold as-is, where-is
- Requires due diligence before bidding
Understanding auction sales helps buyers and sellers navigate risk, pricing, and process requirements.
Example of an Auction Sale in Action
The bank held an auction sale to recover funds after foreclosing on a commercial property.
Key Takeaways
- Property sold to highest bidder
- Used for distressed or unique properties
- Transparent and competitive process
- Buyer accepts property as-is
- Requires thorough pre-sale research
Related Terms
- Foreclosure
- Power of Sale
- Market Value
- Distressed Property
- Due Diligence

A rendering of the EverHome project. (The Sher Corporation)

























September residential sales, not seasonally adjusted; the annual comparison uses CREA’s revised figures. Chart:
Annual changes in the unadjusted national MLS® HPI and average sale price. The average is affected by the mix of transactions. Chart:
Seasonally adjusted residential months of inventory by province. Local property types can differ substantially. Chart:
Ontario and B.C. are the two provinces with forecast annual average-price declines in 2026. Chart:
Annual average transaction prices in Canadian dollars. Forecast values are not December price targets. Chart:
Five-year changes in seasonally adjusted composite MLS® HPI benchmarks, September 2021 to September 2026. Chart: 