City-Owned Vacant Property Online Auction

Dream. Bid. Build.

The City of Norfolk's Vacant Property Online Auction offers interested homeowners and developers the opportunity to invest in the City of Norfolk by purchasing and redeveloping city-owned properties for the purpose of constructing a single-family home.
Designed for transparency, equity and efficiency, this new auction process aligns with City housing priorities and goals to transform underutilized properties, increase economic inclusion, encourage and support wealth building through homeownership and strengthen neighborhoods and communities.

GovDeals

The City of Norfolk's Vacant Property Auctions will be administered by GovDeals, an online auction service specializing in surplus government property liquidation. GovDeals will collect a 5% administrative fee for each auction property.

Phase 1: Property Listing (Approximately 30 Days)
Property listings will be available at GovDeals.com/NorfolkRealEstate for approximately thirty (30) days prior to bidding. To become a qualified online auction participant (a "bidder"), the following steps must be completed by the deadline: Register to bid through the online auction website at www.govdeals.com/register. Must be completed by all first-time bidders Follow all instructions for setting up the GovDeals account and passwords Once registration is completed, interested parties will be able to participate in all city auctions moving forward Please be sure to read GovDeals' Terms & Conditions Read our Terms & Conditions. Complete the Norfolk Bidder Application. Must be completed by all bidders Only needs to be submitted once Browse and review available properties here during the approximately thirty (30) day Property Listing Phase. Potential bidders are responsible for property research, inspections, and financial preparations during this property review period. TIP: Visit NorfolkAIR to research property records, lot specifications, tax information, and more. Request Tier Approval in GovDeals. You must request (subscribe) to become a member of the Norfolk Real Estate Tier. To do this, use your Bidder Login. Once logged in, click your name, click the "subscribe" button just below the minimum bid amount. Click 'Browse Other Sellers'. Look for Norfolk Real Estate. Click 'Subscribe'. Submit Bidder Security Deposit(s) to GovDeals. Deposits are $1,500 per property. Deposit instructions are located under "Additional Info" on each property listing page. Bidder security deposits are held for the duration of the auction. Upon auction closing, all bidders will receive their security deposit back by filling out GovDeals' form here for a refund. Note: Successful High Bidders will follow the same deposit refund process as above; the deposit will not be applied to Final Payment. Receive Deposit Confirmation from GovDeals. IMPORTANT: Bidders will not be permitted to bid on any auction until completing all of the above steps prior to close of bidding, as noted on GovDeals property auction posting for each subject property.

Phase 1: Property Listing (Approximately 30 Days)

Property listings will be available at GovDeals.com/NorfolkRealEstate for approximately thirty (30) days prior to bidding.

To become a qualified online auction participant (a "bidder"), the following steps must be completed by the deadline:

Register to bid through the online auction website at www.govdeals.com/register.
- Must be completed by all first-time bidders
- Follow all instructions for setting up the GovDeals account and passwords
- Once registration is completed, interested parties will be able to participate in all city auctions moving forward
- Please be sure to read GovDeals' Terms & Conditions
Read our Terms & Conditions.
Complete the Norfolk Bidder Application.
- Must be completed by all bidders
- Only needs to be submitted once
Browse and review available properties here during the approximately thirty (30) day Property Listing Phase.
- Potential bidders are responsible for property research, inspections, and financial preparations during this property review period.
- TIP: Visit NorfolkAIR to research property records, lot specifications, tax information, and more.
Request Tier Approval in GovDeals.
- You must request (subscribe) to become a member of the Norfolk Real Estate Tier. To do this, use your Bidder Login. Once logged in, click your name, click the "subscribe" button just below the minimum bid amount. Click 'Browse Other Sellers'. Look for Norfolk Real Estate. Click 'Subscribe'.
Submit Bidder Security Deposit(s) to GovDeals.
- Deposits are $1,500 per property. Deposit instructions are located under "Additional Info" on each property listing page.
- Bidder security deposits are held for the duration of the auction. Upon auction closing, all bidders will receive their security deposit back by filling out GovDeals' form here for a refund.
- Note: Successful High Bidders will follow the same deposit refund process as above; the deposit will not be applied to Final Payment.
Receive Deposit Confirmation from GovDeals.

IMPORTANT: Bidders will not be permitted to bid on any auction until completing all of the above steps prior to close of bidding, as noted on GovDeals property auction posting for each subject property.

Phase 2: Bidding Period (7 Days)
After the Property Listing Phase, a seven (7) day bidding period opens. This is when the auction is live and all available properties are subject to active bidding. You will NOT be able to bid on any property unless all steps from Phase 1 are completed prior to close of bidding, as noted on GovDeals property auction posting for each subject property. Auto-Bidding: Upon placing a bid on a property, you will have the option to activate auto-bidding. Auto-bidding means your bid will automatically be increased to outbid anyone who bids higher than you up to your pre-established maximum bid amount. IMPORTANT: If auto-bidding is not activated, you will need to check the status of your bid(s) periodically during the bidding period.

Phase 2: Bidding Period (7 Days)

After the Property Listing Phase, a seven (7) day bidding period opens. This is when the auction is live and all available properties are subject to active bidding.

You will NOT be able to bid on any property unless all steps from Phase 1 are completed prior to close of bidding, as noted on GovDeals property auction posting for each subject property.

Auto-Bidding: Upon placing a bid on a property, you will have the option to activate auto-bidding. Auto-bidding means your bid will automatically be increased to outbid anyone who bids higher than you up to your pre-established maximum bid amount.
IMPORTANT: If auto-bidding is not activated, you will need to check the status of your bid(s) periodically during the bidding period.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

GovDeals Customer Service: 1 (800) 613-0156

Connect with the Property Auction Team

Phone: (757) 664-2470
Email: VacantCityOwnedProperty@norfolk.gov

If you would like to be added to our contact list, fill out our brief form here.

City-Owned Vacant Property Online Auction

Dream. Bid. Build.

GovDeals

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