Online real estate auctions are changing the way people buy homes—and smart buyers are learning how to bid strategically to gain an edge. Whether you're a first-time auction buyer or a seasoned investor, understanding how bid increments work and which bidding strategies to use can help you walk away with the winning bid.
At Beth Rose Real Estate and Auctions, all of our real estate auctions are conducted exclusively online, giving buyers the flexibility to bid from anywhere, whether on a computer or using our free mobile app. Here’s what you need to know before placing your next bid.
What Are Real Estate Auction Bid Increments?
Bid increments are the minimum amounts by which a new bid must exceed the current high bid. These increments help keep the auction moving at a steady pace and prevent bidders from making tiny increases that can stall the action.
For example, if a property has a current bid of $150,000 and the increment is set at $5,000, the next acceptable bid must be at least $155,000.
Bid increments may vary based on the property’s value or stage of the auction. As a bidder, it’s important to understand the increment levels so you can plan your bidding accordingly. On our platform, increments are clearly displayed to keep the process simple and transparent.
Bidding Options: Manual Bids vs. Max Bids
We make it easy for buyers to participate in our auctions by offering two flexible bidding methods:
Manual Bidding
You can place each bid yourself as the auction progresses. This gives you complete control and lets you respond to other bidders in real time. You’ll also receive instant notifications (via email or app alerts) whenever you’ve been outbid, so you can jump back in before the auction ends.
Max Bidding (Automatic Bidding)
Don’t want to watch the auction clock? Use our Max Bid feature to let the system bid for you. Simply enter the highest amount you’re willing to pay, and the platform will automatically bid on your behalf in the smallest possible increment—only when there’s another competing bid.
Here’s the best part:
👉 Your Max Bid is 100% confidential.
Other bidders can’t see your max bid, and the system only uses it when needed to keep you in the lead. If no one outbids you, you’ll win the auction at the lowest possible price—not necessarily your max.
This option gives you peace of mind and keeps you competitive without having to monitor every moment of the auction.
Pro Tip: Enter a Max Bid just above a round number (e.g., $201,000 instead of $200,000) to give yourself an edge if another bidder stops at a clean number.
Fairness First: Anti-Snipe Technology
One of the biggest frustrations in online auctions is "sniping"—when someone swoops in with a last-second bid and wins before you can respond. Not on our platform.
We use anti-snipe technology to ensure every bidder has a fair chance. If a bid is placed in the final 60 seconds of the auction, the auction timer will automatically extend by 1 minute. This gives all interested buyers an equal opportunity to respond and helps ensure the highest bidder truly wins.
The auction will continue to extend by one minute with each new bid until no further bids are placed—just like a live auctioneer would do in person.
Where to Bid: Website or Mobile App
You can bid directly on our website, but for the most seamless experience, we recommend using our free mobile app. It’s the best way to receive real-time alerts, track your favorite properties, and place quick bids no matter where you are.
The app is available for both Apple and Android devices and puts the entire bidding experience in the palm of your hand.
5 Winning Bidding Strategies for Online Real Estate Auctions
Ready to Start Bidding?
If you're looking to buy a home, land, or investment property through auction, Beth Rose Real Estate and Auctions offers a fast, transparent, and competitive platform that puts buyers in control. With bid notifications, fair extensions, and flexible bidding tools, our online auctions are designed to give every buyer a fair shot at winning.
👉 Start exploring current auctions or download our app today to get into the action.
Have questions about bidding? Contact our team—we’re here to help.