The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is proud to sponsor the
publication of the official guide to Federal Government property sales.
As the principal provider of services to the Federal Government,
including helping Federal agencies sell real and personal property, we
see this booklet as a valuable resource for our client agencies and the
customers they serve - you, the American taxpayer. This publication is
designed to help combat the proliferation of misleading advertisements
which frequently offer inaccurate information about Federal Government
sales. With the right information, Federal sales can be profitable for
both consumers and the Federal Government. GSA and the agencies listed
in this guide want you to have that information.
I want to personally thank the program officials from the 18 sales
programs listed in these pages for their assistance and support. Their
cooperation has resulted in the most comprehensive interagency
publication ever produced on Federal Government sales.
I hope that you will find this publication to be a useful and valuable reference tool.
Roger W. Johnson
Administrator
U.S. General Services Administration
When U.S. Customs confiscates an imported necklace, or the Department of
Defense no longer needs a power tool, or the U.S. Marshals Service seizes
a sports car from a drug dealer, all these items may become available for
purchase by the public.
Although some surplus and forfeited items of the Federal Government are
transferred to other Federal agencies or given to state and local
governments, a staggering variety of items from vehicles to office
equipment to real estate find their way to the public through Federal
Government sales.
This revised guide is published by the U.S. General Services Administration in cooperation with 18 Federal sales programs. With informative listings from each Federal sales program combined with practical consumer tips, this guide is designed to help you identify the Federal Government agencies that sell items to the public. This guide:
 | Gives information about sales methods and sale locations,
| Describes items for sale,
| Lists addresses and telephone numbers for further information,
| |
Be wary of offers to sell you information about Federal Government
sales. Information about Federal Government sales programs is typically
available for free or at low cost from the Federal Government. Some
Federal agencies maintain mailing lists with names of people interested
in being notified about upcoming sales. In these cases, agencies may
charge a subscription fee to maintain the list and cover mailing costs.
Nongovernmental organizations that sell information about these sales
often don't tell consumers they can receive sales information just by
contacting the agency's local or regional office. You may see
advertisements offering to sell you access to little-known sources of
Federal Government property. It's likely that they are selling the names
and addresses of the Federal Government agencies listed in this
publication. Be aware that the information sold by nongovernmental
entities may not be accurate or up-to-date.
Know where to find up-to-date Federal Government sales information.
To find information about specific upcoming sales, check the classified
or business sections of national or local newspapers. Some sales
programs may even advertise on local radio and television. Notices may
also be also posted at post offices, town halls, and other local and
Federal Government buildings. Current information on sales programs is
sometimes published in trade journals and periodicals such as the
Commerce Business Daily (CBD). Many libraries and local Chambers of Commerce
maintain CBD subscriptions for public use. If you would like a personal
subscription, you can call the Government Printing Office's (GPO)
ordering line at (202) 512-1800 or write Superintendent of Documents,
GPO, Washington, DC, 20402. A one- year subscription costs $324 for
priority mail and $275 for non-priority mail. Sales information may
also be listed in the Federal Register, a daily publication listing
Federal Government activities that is available at most libraries. A
subscription to the Federal Register is also available through GPO for
$490 a year.
If you need more information than is provided in this publication, you
may be able to obtain it by directly contacting the local or regional
office of the Federal Government agency that sponsors a particular sales
program. Use this publication as a guide to identify the parent agency
of the sales program. For example, if you are interested in learning
more about the U.S. Marshals Service sales program, look under the
Department of Justice in the "U.S. Government" listings in the phone
directories of major cities in your state.
If you have difficulty locating the local offices of a particular sales
program, call the Federal Information Center (FIC) for assistance. This
service, provided by the U.S. General Services Administration, can tell
you the location of the sales office closest to you. Call the telephone
number listed below for your state or metropolitan area. All the "800"
numbers are toll free. These "800" numbers can be called only within the
states and cities listed. If your state or area is not listed, please
call (301) 722-9000. This is a toll-call and regular long distance rates
apply. Users of telecommunication devices for the deaf may call toll
free by dialing 1(800) 326-2996 (TDD or TTY).
Alabama Alaska Arizona
1(800) 366-2998 1(800) 729-8003 1(800) 359-3997
Arkansas California Colorado
1(800) 366-2998 1(800) 726-4995 1(800) 359-3997
Connecticut Florida Georgia
1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 347-1997
Hawaii Illinois Indiana
1(800) 733-5996 1(800) 366-2998 1(800) 366-2998
Iowa Kansas Kentucky
1(800) 735-8004 1(800) 735-8004 1(800) 347-1997
Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts
1(800) 366-2998 1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 347-1997
Michigan Minnesota Missouri
1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 366-2998 1(800) 366-2998
Nebraska New Jersey New Mexico
1(800) 366-2998 1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 359-3997
New York North Carolina Ohio
1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 347-1997
Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
1(800) 366-2998 1(800) 726-4995 1(800) 347-1997
Rhode Island Tennessee Texas
1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 366-2998
Utah Virginia Washington
1(800) 359-3997 1(800) 347-1997 1(800) 726-4995
Wisconsin
1(800) 366-2998
Inspect the property carefully before buying. Chances are you will not
find new or unused items at Federal Government sales. And because the
sales items are used, the condition of the goods will vary. For example,
some forfeited vehicles may be in excellent condition, others may have high
mileage or a stripped interior. Although information about the condition
will be given, it is still necessary to inspect before you purchase. It
is the buyer's responsibility to verify that the description of the item
fits its actual condition. Find out if the goods are sold "as is" or can
be returned. Most sales are final.
Don't expect to buy a $1 yacht. Goods in Federal Government sales
programs are usually sold at fair market value. The "bargains" that you
hear about are frequently mythical. The $1 yacht most likely has serious
problems. For example, it may not have an interior or an engine.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. At
many sales, the items are appraised prior to the sale and will not be
sold if the bid price is below what is reasonable. For example, the
Federal Supply Service of the U.S. General Services Administration has a
policy to sell property at fair market value, and often will not sell
items if the bid price is below what is reasonable.
You will not drive away from a Federal Government sale with a military
jeep. In 1971, based on safety statistics and vehicle tests, the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended that the M151 series
vehicle not be sold to the public because it is unfit for public use.
Therefore, M151 series jeeps cannot be driven. Disposal regulations on
the M151 require that the vehicle body be crushed, shredded, or mutilated
to prevent the jeep from being rebuilt. Businesses that sell the
"secrets" of buying surplus military property often take out enticing
magazine and newspaper ads. "Just send $19.95 and learn how to buy
surplus military jeeps," they say. However, these advertisements do not
tell the consumer that the M151 series is unfit for public use and that
older jeep models, such as the World War II M38, are virtually
nonexistent today. Jeeps are now typically auctioned at sales for scrap
metal or parts.
How to complain. If you wish to comment on the sales process used by
Federal programs or on the merchandise purchased from a Federal agency,
write directly to the sponsoring agency at the address listed in this
publication. If you believe you have been misled by nongovernmental
organizations offering information about Federal Government sales, you
may send your complaint, along with any related information, such as a
copy of the advertisement, to:
Federal Trade Commission, Correspondence Branch, Washington, D.C.20580. While the FTC is unable to resolve individual situations,
consumer experience is helpful in identifying patterns of
deceptive trade practices and possible violations of FTC
regulations.
In addition, the U.S. Postal Service investigates illegal activity which
is carried on through the U.S. mail. Since most of the deceptive
advertisements are placed in newspapers or magazines which use the mail
service for distribution, you may also send your complaint to your local
postmaster. Address your comments to:
Postmaster, Your Town or City,
Your State, Your ZIP Code + 9998.
The U.S. Postal Service and the FTC want to know experiences you have had
with misleading advertising. However, they have no jurisdiction over the
procedures and practices used by the agencies of the Federal Government
that sell property to the public.
Other organizations that investigate and prosecute fraud include state
Attorneys General, state and local consumer offices and Better Business
Bureaus. If you suspect that you have been tricked or misled and you
paid money for products or services that have little or no value, you can
contact the above-mentioned organizations for further assistance. They
are listed in the business or government listings of your local telephone
directory.
The Consumer's Resource Handbook tells which corporate, federal, state and local offices to contact when you have a question and provides guidance on how to resolve a complaint. For a free copy, send your name and address to: Handbook, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado, 81009.
| What is sold Trucks, ambulances, station wagons, sedans, office equipment, office furniture, computers, and laboratory items (typically microscopes and scales) are sold by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Although most vehicles are sent to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) (see page 6), a few vehicles are periodically sold at USDA's field offices around the country. Sedans and station wagons make up a large majority of the vehicles at these sales. The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) of the USDA sells real property such as foreclosed houses and farms to the public. How items are sold |
How sales are advertised | Personal Property sales information is advertised through notices in newspapers and Federal Government buildings. FmHA sales for real property are advertised in local papers and through listings with local real estate agents. A mailing list is maintained for Washington, DC metropolitan area for personal property sales only. To be placed on this mailing list, see the "For More Information" section. The USDA field offices throughout the U.S. do not maintain mailing lists. Special restrictions/conditions
For personal property sales, the USDA prohibits employees who are
directly involved in the sale or have used the property as an employee
from participating in the sale. Other USDA employees are allowed to
bid. USDA requires guaranteed methods of payment such as money orders,
certified checks, or cash. For real property sales, there are
restrictions for purchases by FmHA employees and their relatives. FmHa
financing is available for qualified applicants.
| For more information |
|
| What is sold The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers real property, including wooded land, farmed property, and residential homes. Availability depends on timing, location, and the circumstances surrounding each individual piece of real estate. How items are sold | Sealed bids, auctions, and negotiated sales. Some real estate sales are conducted by local real estate brokers. How sales are advertised | Sales information is advertised in local papers, notices in local and Federal Government buildings, local post offices, and contractor mailing lists. To be placed on a mailing list for real property sales (mainly large pieces of real estate), contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district office nearest you. Special restrictions/conditions | Employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are allowed to participate in sales provided they have not been involved in the disposal process. Guaranteed methods of payment such as money order, certified check, or cash are required. Due to public safety, contaminated property is not transferred to the buyer without first being decontaminated by the U.S. Army and made environmentally safe. Other special restrictions are made on a case-by-case basis. For more information | There are 38 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district offices that can provide information about what is available for sale. To find the one closest to you, look in the "U.S. Government" listings in the phone directories of the larger cities in your state under Army, Corps of Engineers. You may also write to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Directorate of Real Estate 20 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20314-1000 |
| What is sold
How items are sold |
How are sales advertised |
Special restrictions/conditions |
For more information |
|
| What is sold The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for selling only a small percentage of the overall Federal personal property inventory. These DOE items include laboratory and office equipment, vehicles and furniture. The items available for sale will vary with sale location. Most of DOE's real and surplus property is sold by GSA as described on pages 6 and 7. How items are sold
|
How sales are advertised
Real property sales information is advertised in local newspapers, trade
journals and national publications which target persons interested in
industrial properties. Personal property sales are advertised through
notices in Federal Government buildings and local newspapers.
| Special restrictions/conditions
Guaranteed forms of payment, such as cashier's check, certified check,
money order or cash are required. For information on additional personal
property restrictions and conditions, consult the advertised public sale
announcement for a phone number to call for further sales information.
For personal property sales, the DOE prohibits participation by
employees who were directly involved in the determination to dispose of
the property for sale. Other DOE employees are allowed to participate.
| For more information For information on personal property sales, contact your local Department
of Energy, Office of Property Management found in the "U.S. Government"
listings of the phone directories of the major cities of your state.
Also watch for sales announcements in local newspapers.
| |
| What is sold The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) sells a wide variety of assets from failed banks including loans, real estate such as undeveloped land, hotels, shopping malls, single-family homes, condominiums, and apartment complexes, and personal property including computers, phone systems, furniture, fixtures, plants, and specialty items such as crystal, china and antiques. How items are sold | Brokers, sealed bid, and sometimes auctions How sales are advertised | Sales are advertised in The Wall Street Journal, trade publications for specialized items, and the local newspapers and broadcast media where the sales will be held. The regional FDIC offices listed below can also provide information on upcoming sales in the area. The FDIC does not maintain a national mailing list. Special conditions/restrictions | Special conditions and restrictions are made on a case-by-case basis and may involve verifying low to moderate income for buyers of certain residential properties, requiring protection of the endangered species on undeveloped property, or insuring proper care for a property that is a National Historic landmark. The FDIC typically does not finance properties. Guaranteed payment such as money orders, certified checks, cashier's checks or cash is required. FDIC employees may not participate in the sales. For more information | For information on FDIC sales, including listings of upcoming sales, write FDIC, Asset Marketing, at the FDIC regional office where you are interested in buying property. The specific states or regions covered by an office are listed directly above the address. Or call the listed telephone numbers and ask for Asset Marketing, Customer Service. Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Virgin Islands are covered by: Northeast Service Center 111 Founders Plaza East Hartford, Connecticut 06108 (203) 290-2000
Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia, and West Virginia are covered by:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are covered by:
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas are
covered by:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Guam, Montana, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are covered by: |
| What is sold
How sales are advertised | Sales information is advertised through mailing lists for frequent purchasers, radio, television or newspaper announcements, trade journals and periodicals, and notices in town halls, post offices and Federal Government buildings. Special restrictions/conditions
Bidders are cautioned to inspect all items before bidding. No preference
is given to individuals or groups, including veterans and religious
organizations. Cash, money orders, travelers' checks, cashier's checks,
and personal checks with bank letters guaranteeing payment are accepted
forms of payment. No financing is available. However, Visa and
Mastercard may be used at some sales. GSA employees are not eligible to
participate in sales. For details about other restrictions and
conditions, contact the Personal Property Sales office in your area.
| For more information
To request information on FSS sales, write Personal Property Sales, U.S.
General Services Administration. Then use the addresses listed below to
send your inquiry to the specific regional office where you are
interested in buying property. |
Washington, DC metropolitan area and nearby Maryland and Virginia
are covered by:
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and
Vermont are covered by:
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are covered by:
26 Federal Plaza
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia (except Washington, DC metropolitan area),
Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are covered by:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Tennessee are covered by:
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin are covered by:
230 S. Dearborn Street
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are covered by:
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas are covered by:
819 Taylor St., Room 6812
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
are covered by:
Arizona, California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam,
Hawaii, and Nevada are covered by:
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington are covered by: |
| What is sold As the program responsible for selling a significant amount of the Federal Government's real estate to the public, the Federal Property Resources Service (FPRS) sells real property in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and U.S. Territories in the Pacific. The properties vary widely in type and value and may include office buildings, warehouses, and industrial facilities, developed and undeveloped land, as well as residential and commercial properties that have been seized, forfeited or foreclosed for nonpayment of Federal taxes or loans, or for law enforcement purposes. How real property is sold | Auction or sealed bid How sales are advertised | Sales information is advertised in national and local newspapers. Special restrictions/conditions
Information and details (zoning or environmental conditions) for each
specific property are listed in the Invitation for Bids, available upon
request. Cashier's check or money orders are required. Under special
circumstances financing is available. GSA employees are not eligible to
participate in sales.
| For more information | Write to the Office of Real Estate Sales, U.S. General Services Administration at the local addresses given below for the states where you wish to buy property. Or call the listed telephone numbers and ask for Real Estate Sales.
Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan,
Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, the Virgin Islands, Vermont, and Wisconsin are covered by:
Alabama, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are covered by:
Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Missouri, North
Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and
Wyoming are covered by:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington are
covered by:
You can also write or call FPRS headquarters in Washington, DC:
Federal Property Resources Service-D, U.S. General Services
Administration, Washington, DC 20405, 1 (800) 472-1313.
|
|
| What is sold The Government Printing Office (GPO) prints, binds, and distributes the publications of the Federal Government. As a result, the public will find used printing and binding equipment and surplus Federal publications at a GPO sale. You may also find office furniture and business machines such as copiers, calculators, and typewriters. The majority of GPO sales are held in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with less than 5% held at the 28 GPO field offices across the nation. Surplus publications are available through a program in Washington, DC. The future availability of surplus GPO publications depends on the success of the current program. How items are sold | Sealed bid How sales are advertised | Sales are advertised through bidder's lists, the Commerce Business Daily, and library journals. Write or call the addresses and numbers below to be placed on a bidder's list. Special restrictions/conditions | Payment by certified or cashier's check only. For more information | To learn more about personal property sales, write or fax (202) 512-1354: Government Printing Office Materials Management Service Specialized Procurement and Sales Section (MMP) 710 North Capitol St., NW Washington, DC 20401
For information on the program of surplus publication sales, write or fax
(202) 512-1354: |
| What is sold When a mortgage lender forecloses on a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is assigned the mortgage note and the homes go into HUD's inventory. The Department sells the homes to the public and nonprofit groups at a fair market value or at a discounted price under special programs. These properties include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and fixer-uppers. How items are sold | Sealed bid process and special demonstration programs to potential buyers who participate in HUD Property Disposition programs. How sales are advertised | Sales information is sometimes advertised in the national and local media where the 81 HUD states offices are located. Special restrictions/conditions
HUD does not offer financing on its properties. Generally, HUD
employees, their relatives and HUD contractors are prohibited from buying
HUD properties.
| For more information | Call 1(800) 767-4483 to request information on the HUD Homes sales program. You may also call a professional real estate broker in your area who participates in the HUD Homes sales program. Participating real estate brokers are a valuable source of advice about HUD homes and their services are free--HUD pays the broker's commission. To obtain a free copy of the HUD booklet, A Home of Your Own, which includes helpful advice on choosing and buying a HUD home, write: Consumer Information Center Dept. 562A Pueblo, CO 81009 |
| What is sold The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for the management of more than 270 million acres of public lands. The land, which is located primarily in the West and in Alaska, is sold to the public under certain conditions. The unimproved or undeveloped land is generally rural woodland, grassland, or desert. The availability of land for sale to the public varies each year and depends upon the circumstances of each individual property. How the land is sold | The land is sold through direct sale and competitive sales such as auctions. How sales are advertised
Sales are listed in local newspapers and in the Federal Register, a
Federal Government document that can be found in most libraries.
| Special restrictions/conditions | The sale conditions are provided in the Notice of Sale. The BLM can sell public land only to U.S. citizens or corporations subject to Federal or state laws. Employees of the Department of the Interior are not allowed to bid. No financing is available. Cashier's check or cash is required. For more information | Write the Bureau of Land Management in the state(s) where you are interested in buying land. The specific states or regions covered by an office are listed directly above the local addresses. |
Alaska Arizona
222 West 7th Avenue #13 3707 North 7th Street
Anchorage, AK 99513-7599 Phoenix, AZ 85011
California Colorado
2800 Cottage Way, E-2841 2850 Youngfield Street
Sacramento, CA 95825 Lakewood, CO 80215-7076
States east of the Idaho
Mississippi River, plus 2280 Americana Terrace
Iowa, Minnesota, Boise, ID 83706
Missouri, Arkansas,
and Louisiana: Montana, North Dakota,
Eastern States Office and South Dakota:
7450 Boston Blvd. 222 North 32nd Street
Springfield, VA 22153 PO Box 36800
Billings, MT 59107
Nevada
850 Harvard Way New Mexico, Oklahoma,
P.O. Box 12000 Kansas, and Texas:
Reno, NV 89520-0006 1474 Rodeo Road
PO Box 27115
Oregon and Washington: Santa Fe, NM 87502-7115
1300 N.E. 44th Ave.
P.O. Box 2965 Utah
Portland, OR 97208 CFS Financial Center-301
324 South State Street
Wyoming and Nebraska Salt Lake City, UT 84111-2303
2515 Warren Ave.
P.O. Box 1828
Cheyenne, WY 82003
For the BLM booklet, Are there Any Public Lands For Sale?send a $1
check or money order payable to "Superintendent of Documents" to the
following address:
Consumer Information Center
Dept. 109B
Pueblo, CO 81009
| What is sold
How items are sold |
How sales are advertised |
Special restrictions/conditions |
For more information | Direct your inquiry to the district U.S. Marshal who is listed under the U.S. Marshals Service of the Department of Justice in the "U.S. Government" listings of the telephone directories of the major cities in your state, or write:
Office of Congressional and Public Affairs |
| What is sold The U.S. Postal Service auctions a wide variety of items that have been lost in the mail and are unclaimed. Sales of this unclaimed merchandise are referred to as "dead letter" sales, although letters are not generally among the items offered for sale. The merchandise may include clocks, televisions, radios, tape recorders, compact discs, jewelry, VCRs, clothing, or any item that is lost and unclaimed in the U.S. mail. The U.S. Postal Service also has sales programs that sell excess postal vehicles, computers, workroom and office furniture, electronic and hardware items for mail handling equipment, and more. How items are sold | Auctions, sealed bid sales, and fixed price sales How sales are advertised |
Special restrictions/conditions | Terms and conditions of each sale are posted with sales notice information. U.S. Postal Service employees are permitted to buy at personal property sales, except for those employees directly involved in the sales. However, no U.S. Postal Service employee is allowed to buy at auctions selling unclaimed merchandise. Postal vehicle sales require payments by certified check, money order, cashier's check, or cash. All "dead letter" sales accept cash and money orders. For more information | For information on surplus postal vehicle sales, contact your local postmaster by looking under U.S. Postal Service in the "U.S. Government" listings of the phone directory in the major cities of your state. Your local postmaster can direct you to the vehicle maintenance facility responsible for conducting sales in your area. For information on personal property sales, write to one of the following offices closest to your mailing address:
Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma are covered by:
Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois are covered by:
West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland. Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and
South Carolina are covered by:
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico,
Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Alaska are covered by:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, and Iowa are covered by:
Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida are
covered by:
Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware are covered by:
New York City metropolitan area, North Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands are covered by:
California, Hawaii, and all Pacific Possessions and Trust Territories are
covered by:
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New
York (except New York metropolitan area) are covered by:
For information on unclaimed merchandise "dead letter" auctions held in the
following cities, write to the office where you are interested in
attending sales:
Superintendent
Supervisor
Supervisor
Supervisor
For more information on personal property sales or "dead letter" auctions
you may write to:
U.S. Postal Service |
| What is sold
The Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) was created by Congress in 1989 to
protect deposit accounts in insolvent thrift institutions, to resolve the
failed institutions, and to recover taxpayers' funds through the sale of
the institutions' assets. The RTC sells billions of dollars in assets,
including, but not limited to, real estate, loans, securities, furniture and
equipment. The major categories of assets sold by the RTC are:
How items are sold |
How sales are advertised | Each week, the RTC advertises upcoming loan and real estate offerings in The Wall Street Journal. A calendar of loan offerings is published every Thursday on the Government Securities page of the Money and Investing section. Every Friday, a calendar of real estate offerings is published on the same page and section. In addition, specific sales, auctions, sealed-bid sales or securities offerings are advertised in The Wall Street Journal and in major daily newspapers in specific local media markets where the product is located or potential investors have been identified. Special restrictions/conditions
|
For more information |
|
| What is sold The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes loans and loan guaranties to small businesses and individuals who are victims of natural disasters. If a borrower defaults on the SBA loan or guaranty, SBA may sell the property securing the loan. The assets for sale may range from real estate--commercial property, single family homes, vacant land, and farms--to personal property such as machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and inventory that were used in a wide variety of business operations. How items are sold | Public auction, sealed bid, sealed bidders auction, listing with brokers or dealers, and private negotiation. How sales are advertised | Sales advertisements depend on the size and type of assets being sold. Classified and display advertisements appear in local, regional, national, and international newspapers, and trade and industry publications. The SBA central office in Washington, DC does not maintain a mailing list of upcoming sales or of potential buyers who wish to be notified. However, local auctioneers and some SBA district offices may maintain localized lists. Special restrictions/conditions | Unless otherwise specified, all sales are "as is." The buyer is responsible for removal. For the most part, only cash or guaranteed payment such as cashier's check or certified check is accepted. The sales advertisements will provide payment information. The terms and conditions for each sale are read at the start of the sale. All prospective bidders should be present at this time, since bidders are bound by these announcements, and there may be some last minute changes or additions to the advertised terms. For more information | Contact your local SBA district office. To find the district office nearest you, call 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722) or look for the U.S. Small Business Administration under the "U.S. Government" listings in the telephone directories of the major cities in your state. Ask for the Liquidation Chief, and specify the types of assets you wish to buy, the general price range, and the geographic location in which you're interested. To find out how to be placed on a localized mailing list (if there is one), contact the SBA Liquidation Chief in the location where you wish to buy goods. A listing of assets which have been acquired by SBA can be viewed via PC modem. The numbers for SBA Online are (202) 401-9600 or (900) 463-4636. |
www.montanahomeinspectors.com
| What is sold The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) sells a limited number of Bureau-owned motor vehicles excess to its needs and seized vehicles not selected for official use. Vehicles range from sports cars to family sedans and are disposed of in "as is" condition. The vast majority of these vehicles are turned over by the Bureau to the Federal Supply Service of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for disposal. GSA decides if the vehicles are economical or practical for GSA to sell. If GSA does not take the vehicles, it authorizes the Bureau to dispose of them. Only a very small number of vehicles are sold to the public directly by BATF. How vehicles are sold | Spot bid and fixed price sales How sales are advertised | Sales are advertised in local newspapers. Agency personnel also contact salvage and scrap firms to obtain competitive bids for vehicles badly damaged, worn, or deteriorated, or when repair is clearly impractical. Special restrictions/conditions |
For more information | For further information on sales, contact the GSA Federal Supply Service Bureau nearest you (see previous addresses). |
| What is sold As the program that manages our nation's borders, the U.S. Customs seizes a wide variety of items. Excluding those items not allowed in the U.S., most merchandise ends up for sale to the public at U.S. Customs Service auctions across the country. These auction items include all types of cars, vessels such as yachts and sailboats, real estate, and personal property such as jewelry, clothing, and household items. The type, quality, and condition of the goods vary widely. The U.S. Customs Service also auctions Internal Revenue Service (IRS), BATF and Secret Service forfeited property. How items are sold | Public auctions are conducted by the U.S. Customs Service contractor and are held nationwide. How sales are advertised | The U.S. Customs Service contractor advertises through the media and trade publications for high-value aircraft and vessels. A one-year catalog subscription, listing items at upcoming auctions, is available to the public for a fee. Nationwide subscriptions for sales in the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Alaska are $50. Eastern region subscriptions for sales located east of the Mississippi River (including Puerto Rico) and western region subscriptions for sales located west of the Mississippi River (including Alaska) are each $25. Add $10 for foreign orders. To find out more about this service, contact the U.S. Customs Service contractor below. Special restrictions/conditions | U.S. Customs Service employees cannot purchase seized items. Certain merchandise is sold for "export only" and must be taken outside of the United States after purchase. Payment and deposit requirements are contained in the "Terms of Sale" in the sales catalog. For more information | Write or call:
EG&G Dynatrend, Inc. |
| What is sold The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates programs to benefit veterans and members of their families. One of these programs is the Guaranteed Home Loan Program. If a veteran-homeowner defaults on a VA-guaranteed loan, the veteran's lender forecloses the loan. In most cases, VA acquires these properties after foreclosure and then sells the properties to the public through 46 regional offices These properties include detached homes, townhouses and condominiums. How the properties are sold |
How sales are advertised | Some VA offices issue property sales listings by direct mail to sales brokers who have requested to be placed on the mailing list of the regional offices, while others publish their sales listings in local newspapers. Some participating sales brokers also advertise that they sell VA properties. Special restriction/conditions | You do not have to be a veteran to purchase these properties. The conditions of sale are included in the sales listings and will vary from property to property. For more information | Contact the nearest VA regional office by obtaining the phone number from the "U.S. Government" listings in the phone directory of the major cities in your state. |
Real property is real estate. It may include office buildings, houses,
condominiums, apartments, undeveloped land, retail stores, industrial
properties, and golf courses. Like personal property, the kind of real
property available will vary among the sales programs.
Confiscated, seized, forfeited are terms which describe the status of
property in the possession of Federal law enforcement agencies. The
terms are not interchangeable. Property that is seized or confiscated
may be returned to a defendant or innocent owner. If it is not returned,
the property becomes forfeited and may become available for sale to the
public. Therefore, advertising for Federal government sales will usually
describe the property obtained through confiscation and seizure, as
forfeited. This kind of property is sold "as is" and the inventory of
sales items constantly changes.
Foreclosed property is sold when citizens default on loans secured by a
government agency. The property, usually real estate, is sold to the
public through government sales programs. The U.S. Small Business
Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and
the Resolution Trust Corporation all sell foreclosed properties.
Excess and/or Surplus property. Federal property no longer needed by an
agency is declared as excess to the needs of that agency, but may be
transferred to another Federal agency. Federally owned property which is
no longer needed by any Federal agency is declared as surplus to the
needs of the Federal Government. If not transferred to state
governments, it is sold to the public.
Unclaimed goods are sold by the Federal Government when items are lost, abandoned, or unclaimed by the public. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is the primary agency that sells unclaimed items, typically goods that have been lost in the mail. USPS sells the unclaimed merchandise to the public through its "dead letter" sales program.
Public Auction
The Federal agency follows traditional auction procedures and gives
prospective buyers a description of the property to be auctioned along
with bidding instructions before the auction. The auctioneer conducting the sale offers the property item-by-item and
awards the item to the highest bidder. When buying through an auction,
the buyer must be present to bid, unlike the sealed bid method, which is
conducted by mail.
Sealed Bidders Auction
A sales method that combines aspects of the sealed bid and auction methods. Bidders submit sealed bids on the item
being offered for sale and the highest sealed bidders are then allowed to
participate in a public auction. The bidding starts with the highest
sealed bid.
Spot Bid
Bidders are usually required to attend the sale to place
their bid in written form. The property is offered item-by-item, as in an
auction. However, in an auction, the bids are voiced; with the spot bid
method, the written form allows a one-time chance for the bidder. The
highest bidder is announced publicly, receives the award and the sale is
made. Buyers are encouraged to be present at the award.
Fixed price sale
The Federal agency marks the merchandise with a particular price. The public may purchase the items for that set price
at a public sale. The items are sold on a first-come, first-served
basis.
Negotiation
This method is often used when selling real estate.
Federal agencies may negotiate individual property sales as a way to sell
the property. The majority of U.S Marshals' forfeited real property is
sold in this manner. At other times, negotiation may be used in special
circumstances. For example, the U.S. General Services Administration may
negotiate a sale if, after advertising, the bid prices are not reasonable
or if the specialized property is of interest only to a small group of
buyers. Negotiation may also be used if the character/condition of the
property or unusual circumstances make it impractical to advertise
publicly. Sometimes agencies appraise properties to estimate their
market value and establish a list price. The Resolution Trust
Corporation requires an individual appraisal for all properties valued at
more than $50,000. Offers on the property are encouraged based on the
list price, with the final price subject to negotiation.
Broker/Individual Sale
Real property in government sales
programs is sometimes disposed of by using private real estate brokers to negotiate
the sale. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development
uses real estate brokers in the HUD Home sales program. The Department
of Veterans Affairs' sales program also utilizes private real estate
brokers when selling residential properties. The U.S. Marshals Service
sells the majority of its forfeited real property through licensed real
estate brokers using multiple listing services.
Portfolio sales
These sales occur when the Resolution
Trust Corporation groups together packages of real estate and
loans for sale to the public. Typically, buyers purchase the
property as a package. For example, real estate may be grouped
by geographic location and assets from a failed institution may
be packaged by loan type.