Me wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:

On the show Property Wars, they always say that the bidders cannot
look into the house. They show that the windows are covered.

Is this the way most (all?) bank auctions are handled or is this
just a set up for the show?

The following is from he

http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsb...ew-of-reality/

=====================
Johnny asks (on January 24, 2013):

Why are they not allowed to visually inspect the houses INSIDE before
they bid on the houses. Is that law? is that even real? Seems kinda nuts
to purchase something without being able to visually see inside…"

Marty Boardman (on January 25, 2013) replies:

Johnny, yes, it’s the law. The bidders don’t own the houses yet, nor
does the bank. Until the auction takes place and a trustee’s deed is
granted to the highest bidder the property belongs to the homeowner. To
enter the house without the owner’s permission is trespassing.

And yes, it’s nuts to purchase something w/o inspection. It’s a high
risk/high reward proposition for the auction bidder. That’s the game we
play.
======================

If you can't get the above URL, google has a cached version:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co.../property-wars
-distorted-view-of-reality/%2BProperty+Wars+-+Are+windows+usually+covered+for+house+auction+sal es%3F+bidders+cannot+look&hl=en&gbv=2&prmd=ivns&st rip=1

Lots of interesting information on that page (and in the comments).

See also:

http://flippingphoenixhouses.com/auction-sales/

Thanks, but...

That addresses the fact that they can't (legally) go inside to inspect
them. However, on the show, the windows are always covered completely,
whether the house is a ramshackle shed or a Taj Mahal. Drapes drawn or
covered in sheets or newspaper. The only inspection available is the
exterior.

Now, I understand the logic somewhat. If they could peer into the windows
of an fancy, upgraded house the bids would be higher and the sellers would
end up with more money. However if they'd peered into a house that had been
stripped or was a wreck, they would bid very low, if at all. So you can't
allow peeking into a nice house and cover the windows on a shack because
everyone would know why the shack's windows were covered.

So my question still remains: In real life, do they cover the windows of
all empty houses that are up for auction or is that just for the show, or
just for the Phoenix market or does it vary by location or auction company
or...?