Common questions. Direct answers.

Open the auction you want and use Bid Online. Sign in or select No Account? Sign Up Here to create your account. When registration is open, register for that specific auction and add a card for bidder identity verification. Once approved, choose a lot or property and bid on the live platform. Real-estate auctions may require additional steps.

Use Current Auctions from any page to browse available auctions. Open an auction for its dates, location, photos, and description, then select Bid Online to reach Prime's bidding platform.

A card is required to verify bidder identity. For auctions using card checkout, winning purchases below that auction's stated payment threshold are charged to the card on file after the auction. Real-estate auctions may have different deposit and payment steps.

The format can vary. The individual auction page identifies the bidding method, dates, inspection information, location details, and any live or online components that apply.

Open the specific auction and item or property page. Check the closing date and time, inspection information, pickup location and window, and whether shipping is available before you place a bid. If a detail is not stated, ask Prime before bidding.

A buyer's premium is an amount added to the high bid when the published auction terms require one. Do not assume it is included in the amount you enter. Review the event terms for the applicable premium, taxes, payment methods, and total purchase obligation before bidding.

Some online auctions use automatic extensions when bidding occurs near the close, while others follow a different procedure. The live listing and bidding platform identify the rules for that auction. Stay on the live event and do not rely only on the original clock time.

Shipping and delivery options vary by auction. Check the auction page and item details before you bid. Many buyers arrange pickup or shipping directly with Bungii, uShip, Navis Pack & Ship, Craters & Freighters, or a local The UPS Store. uShip may be useful for larger pieces or longer distances. For certain auctions, Prime may help coordinate local delivery. Contact our office after the auction to discuss available options.

No. Fit depends on the property, seller objectives, timing, market conditions, available information, and the terms a seller is prepared to offer. Prime begins with the situation before recommending a path.

Share the property address, ownership or decision-making role, desired timing, current occupancy, known condition or title issues, and any professionals already involved. Missing details do not prevent an initial conversation.

Prime can discuss a collaborative scope with agents, attorneys, fiduciaries, asset managers, and other advisors. Roles, communication, compensation, and responsibilities should be defined for the specific assignment.

The schedule depends on the property, seller authority, available documents, due diligence, campaign plan, auction format, bidder preparation, and closing requirements. Prime develops an assignment-specific timeline rather than promising one standard number of days.

Fees and marketing responsibilities depend on the property, scope, sale structure, and services required. Prime reviews the opportunity before presenting proposed compensation, expenses, responsibilities, and terms in writing.

In general auction terminology, an absolute auction does not use a seller reserve, while a reserve auction is subject to the reserve or confirmation method disclosed in its terms. The permitted format and exact terms must be established for the specific property and jurisdiction before marketing begins.

The published auction documents control. Depending on the event, the successful bidder may need to sign the purchase agreement, deliver the required deposit, and proceed toward closing under the stated terms and deadlines. A high bid should never be treated as casual or exploratory.

They can be reviewed as connected parts of one transition. Prime first clarifies what it will perform directly, what may require a separate engagement, and what may be coordinated through another qualified provider.

No. The quantity, quality, condition, location, timing, and market for the property all matter. Appraisal, auction, referral, donation, distribution, or another path may be considered after the property is understood.

Yes. An initial conversation can identify the decisions, stakeholders, deadlines, and information still needed without assuming the final sale or transition plan.

An inquiry may involve a household, estate, collection, furnishings, decorative art, jewelry, vehicles, equipment, or selected objects. Auction fit depends on category, quantity, quality, condition, location, access, timing, and the available market; not every item or household is automatically accepted.

That plan should be defined before the engagement begins. Depending on the situation, property may be retained, distributed, separately appraised, referred, donated, moved, or handled by another qualified provider. Prime does not assume responsibility for items outside the written scope.

The intended use, effective date, users of the report, property scope, inspection, research, and report format are established before the assignment. The scope is not assumed from a general inquiry.

No. An appraisal and an auction are distinct services. Appraisal conclusions may inform a later decision, but an auction is not assumed unless it is separately evaluated and agreed.

Prime serves Washington, DC and markets across Virginia, Maryland, and South Florida from its McLean and Palm Beach offices. Availability and assignment scope should be confirmed for the specific property or event.

Timing and fees depend on the intended use, property type and quantity, location, access, effective date, research, report format, and deadline. Prime defines the assignment and provides the engagement terms before appraisal work begins.

Prime can discuss benefit-auction consulting, live and silent auction strategy, special-appeal planning, auctioneering, and audience engagement. The exact scope is defined around the organization, committee, event, venue, technology, and production support already in place.

No. Fundraising results depend on the audience, mission, preparation, items, ask, event conditions, participation, and many factors outside one provider's control. Prime does not promise a specific outcome.

Those responsibilities must be defined for the specific engagement. Prime can coordinate with the organization's staff, venue, production team, and technology provider, but no equipment, software, staffing, payment processing, or checkout function should be assumed unless it appears in the agreed scope.