Question: A bank that is foreclosing on a home holds a first and a second mortgage. The first alone is more than the home is worth. What will the bank typically bid at the sheriff’s sale? Would it bid market price minus second mortgage lien, because the buyer would still have to be paid off?
Answer: – Typically the opening bid is the amount you owe plus foreclosure fees, back payments, etc. If someone bids at the foreclosure auction, then the highest bidder gets the property. If no one bids, the bank takes back the property and sells it through a real estate broker. If the bank does not get paid the full amount they are owed, they can 1099 you for the difference and count the loss as income to you so you have to pay taxes on it.