Most Auction Buyers Are Local, Survey Finds

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Auction.com, Irvine, Calif., released its 2026 Buyer Insights Report, finding that the vast majority of buyers are local and purchasing 10 or fewer homes a year.

Ninety-four percent of the firm’s auction buyers identify themselves as local community developers or owner-occupants, up from 89% in 2025.  

Also, 96% purchased 10 or fewer total properties in 2025, nearly flat from the 97% who reported such habits in last year’s survey. Only 3% purchased 11 to 25 properties and just 1% purchased 25 or more.

The buyers’ incentives vary, with 43% saying that building generational wealth is their only motivation for investing in real estate, and 47% saying building wealth and benefitting their local community were both motivations. One in 10 said benefiting the community was their only motivation.

More than half of all buyers–52%–renovate and resell to owner-occupants. One-third of all buyers renovate and hold as a rental, and 11% renovate and hold for a long-term investment.

Two-thirds spend more than $20,000 on renovations and holding costs, and 20% spend more than $50,000.

In cases where buyers purchase properties with existing tenants, 87% report offering a graceful transition into new housing, such as relocation assistance, the option to lease back or the option to buy back.

Auction.com surveyed 400 auction buyers in early 2026 for this report.