More than nine in 10 distressed property auction buyers are local — and nearly all are low-volume.
That is a top finding from Auction.com’s 2026 Buyer Insights Report. The report found that 94% of surveyed buyers identified as Local Community Developers or owner-occupants, and 96% purchased 10 or fewer total properties in 2025.
“Our buyers are Main Street,” said Auction.com co-CEO Ali Haralson. “They buy where they live and improve housing supply and affordability in their local communities.”
The report covers:
- How the buyer mix changed year-over-year
- What motivates buyers beyond financial returns
- Which acquisition channels buyers prefer now
- How buyers approach occupied properties
- What renovation and holding costs reveal about buyer commitment
Read the report for a sharper look at the people and strategies behind today’s distressed property marketplace.