Frequently Asked Questions
Because the court requires it. The court limits us to sell only to people who have the finances, skills, a clean record with Baltimore City departments (building permits, health, rental registration, etc.), and who promise to rehab the property to use & occupancy standards within 12 months.
This is necessary because information regarding finances and properties owned in Baltimore City is likely to have changed in a year.
Once you have obtained a use & occupancy permit on a property, you can bid on another one in its place. To increase the number of properties, you must submit documentation of additional financial assets and receive confirmation from One House.
No. One House At A Time is not affiliated with Baltimore City’s $1 house program, officially known as the Fixed Pricing Program. One House At A Time properties always start at a $5,000 bid.
Please refer any questions about the Fixed Pricing Program (a.k.a. $1 house program) to Baltimore City’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Before the Auction
No. The court requires that we give all qualified bidders a fair and equal chance to buy the property. If a property receives no bids at auction, we will then consider all offers from qualified bidders.
If you send a written authorization to One House via email prior to the auction, someone else can bid for you.
You can make arrangements with A.J. Billig at (410) 296-8440 to inspect the property. You must sign a waiver before entering the property.
No. Receivership only applies to vacant buildings. We do not auction vacant lots.
The City offers opportunities to acquire city-owned vacant lots through programs including: BuyIntoBmore, the Fixed Pricing Program, and the Adopt-A-Lot Program. Please visit their resources for more information.
Auction Procedures
The auctioneer requires approved bidders to bring a $3,000 deposit per property they intend to purchase. The deposit(s) should be payable to yourself by certified or cashier’s check (NO CASH). If your bid is successful, you can then sign over the check to A.J. Billig & Co. If the purchase price exceeds $30,000, then you must increase your deposit amount to 10% of the purchase price and deliver it to A.J. Billig within 24 hours.
It should be payable to yourself and endorsed over to A.J. Billig & Co. at the end of the auction if you are the winning bidder.
- Approved bidders must check in at the table in front of the auction room to collect their bidder number.
- When placing a bid, you should raise your card where your bidder number faces the auctioneer. The card makes it clear that you are bidding and allows the auctioneer to quickly note your bidder number if you offer the winning bid.
- The auctioneer determines acceptable bidding increments and may set a minimum bidding increment as the sale continues.
- The auction goes by quickly, so be sure to pay attention and research the available properties beforehand.
- We recommend observing an auction before you are ready to bid to get an idea of what the process is like.
Personal ID is enough. One House keeps a list of current qualified bidders, and a One House representative will be on site at all auctions.
After the Auction
- Check on your property and secure it from the elements throughout the period before settlement, which takes about 75 days.
- Provide contact information for your title company as soon as possible to Kim Fisher ([email protected]).
- If using a lender, contact them immediately to determine their requirements.
Yes. Contact One House at (410) 467-1826. You must sign a waiver before entering the property.
Go to One House’s website: www.onehousebaltimore.org. You can also sign up for our mailing list to be notified of auctions and other One House news.
