Inforuptcy Blog Categories: auctioneer

Becoming a Bankruptcy Auctioneer or Appraiser

Part (2/2)

INTRODUCTION
In our last newsletter we introduced some of the requirements to becoming a bankruptcy auctioneer. In this newsletter, we'll discuss how an auctioneer can utilize our tools to help them get hired. 

CONTACTING PANEL TRUSTEES
What most auctioneers will do is contact their local panel trustee, introduce themselves and hope the trustee will contact them when they have an asset for sale. For those unaware, here is the list of panel trustees by state throughout the country:

Chapter 7 panel trustees

The success rate from this type of effort is probably commensurate to the amount of time spent i.e., quite low. Panel trustees are very busy administering cases, and they get these solicitations all the time.

HOW TO STAND ABOVE THE CROWD
Getting a panel trustee to remember and trust you will require multiple touch points. That's where Inforuptcy can help. With our advanced search tools and email alerts, you will be notified of cases in real time where the trustee has informed the creditors that there is an asset for sale. This is a docketed event in the case typically called the "notice of asset" and / or "deadline to file proof of claim." Here's how it appears on our site:

Notice of asset

From those cases you can dig into the docket and filings to determine the assets the debtor filed in their voluntary petition. Then you can make an informed called to the panel trustee mentioning a specific case and even a specific asset and how you could help them maximize value for the estate. This type of consistent outreach will help you stand above the crowd. 

REPORTING AND COMPENSATION EXAMPLES
On our site, you could also see examples of what other auctioneers filed for reporting and compensation purposes. This is a great way to get up to speed if you have never been hired as a bankruptcy auctioneer.

Sample auctioneer filings

SUMMARY
As we have discussed in this newsletter, Inforuptcy can be used as a valuable marketing and discovery tool to not only find cases of interest but also help target panel trustees just as they have announced an asset case. You can even find samples from other auctioneers to accelerate your learning curve.

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If you prefer, you can also schedule a 15 minute web demo so you can see for yourself how to get started.

Schedule a Demo

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You May Also Be Interested In:
The 363 Bankruptcy Sale Procedure – Broken Down and Simplified
Property of the Estate Under 11 U.S.C. § 541
The Automatic Stay
In Which District/Venue Should You Purchase the Asset?
Why U.S. Bankruptcy Acquisitions Make Good Sense For Foreign Investors
Overbid? What is that?
Is Your Bankruptcy Asset Purchase Lien Free? Why?

Becoming a Bankruptcy Auctioneer or Appraiser

Part (1/2)

INTRODUCTION
We often get asked by auctioneers if they can use our site to help them get hired to sell assets in bankruptcy. The answer is a resounding -- yes

The biggest hurdle for most auctioneers is complying with the legal process required to be an "agent" of the court. Since bankruptcy is a legal process all professionals must follow the laws / rules of conduct. The biggest hurdles for auctioneers are usually bonding and reporting requirements. To learn more about what it takes to become an auctioneer, I have provided the description prepared by the US Department of Justice below and a link to their trustee handbook (just search for auctioneer):

Handbook for Chapter 7 Trustees

In part two, I'll discuss how you can use our site, Inforuptcy.com, to find cases where you could be hired.

AUCTIONEERS
General Standards
The trustee may employ auctioneers as professional persons pursuant to §§ 327(a) and 328(a) to sell property of the estate. All auction sales must be noticed pursuant to FRBP 6004(a).

The trustee must actively supervise the activities of the auctioneers to ensure that estate property is protected against loss, that property is sold for reasonable prices to independent buyers, that auction proceeds are promptly and fully remitted, that auctioneers timely submit accurate sale reports, and that auctioneer expenses are actual and necessary and paid in accordance with legal requirements. Methods by which a trustee can supervise auctioneers include personally attending auction sales, thoroughly reviewing auctioneer reports, and independently verifying reported information. The trustee should advise the United States Trustee of concerns with respect to auctioneers and must report situations which could result in a loss to the estate. Failure to appropriately supervise auctioneers may result in claims against the trustee individually.

A representative of the United States Trustee may attend auctions.

Compensation
An auctioneer’s compensation must be approved by order of the court. § 328, FRBP 6005. Any buyer’s premium [1] must be fully disclosed in the employment application and considered in determining the reasonableness of the total compensation.

Although auctioneers, outside of a bankruptcy context, usually deduct their commissions and expenses from the sales proceeds and remit a net amount to the seller, this practice may not be employed with regard to bankruptcy estate funds, unless it is specifically authorized by order of the court. However, the order authorizing the employment may specify the percentage fee to be charged by the auctioneer and authorize the deduction of the commission and the costs of sale from the sales proceeds, with the effect of the auctioneer remitting the net sales proceeds to the trustee. In those cases, the auctioneer must present an affidavit or declaration listing all costs and expenses incurred with the report of sale.

Bonding and Insurance
The trustee must ensure that auctioneers are adequately bonded, prior to taking possession of estate property, in an amount that is sufficient to cover all receipts from the sale. The bond should be in favor of the United States of America and is distinct from any other auctioneer’s bond required under state law. The amount of the bond will be established by local bankruptcy rule or the United States Trustee. The trustee should confirm that the auctioneer is bonded in an appropriate amount to cover all estates in which the particular auctioneer has been employed. All original bonds should be forwarded to the United States Trustee.

The United States Trustee monitors the adequacy of the bond. The trustee also should determine if the auctioneer maintains insurance for lost or stolen property, since the trustee may wish to make a claim against the insurer for any such losses.

When the auctioneer assumes control over estate property for a period of time prior to sale, the trustee should keep an inventory of the items stored and periodically verify that the assets still exist and are in good condition. Insurance claims for lost or stolen property should be made promptly, and the trustee should inform the United States Trustee of such claims.  

Turnover of Proceeds
The auctioneer must not commingle auction proceeds with business, personal or other accounts.

Whenever possible, the auctioneer should immediately turnover auction proceeds to the trustee. In any event, all proceeds must be turned over within thirty (30) days of the auction. The United States Trustee may have additional requirements in this area.

If an auctioneer fails to account for or to turnover auction proceeds within thirty (30) days, the trustee should promptly notify the United States Trustee and take immediate action to recover the funds, including initiating a proceeding against the auctioneer’s bond.

Auctioneer’s Report
The auctioneer must submit an itemized statement of the property sold, the name of each purchaser, and the price received for each item, lot, or for the property as a whole if sold in bulk. FRBP 6004(f). The trustee must ensure that the auctioneer’s report is promptly submitted upon completion of the auction. If the report has not been provided within thirty (30) days after the auction, the trustee should request a copy and ensure that it has been filed with the court and United States Trustee, or as otherwise provided by local rules and practices.

The trustee must compare the auctioneer’s report to the initial inventory and obtain an explanation for any discrepancies. The trustee also should scrutinize items marked ‘stolen’ or ‘missing.’ As noted earlier, the trustee should attempt to recover the value of lost or stolen items by filing a claim with the auctioneer’s insurer or by initiating a proceeding against the auctioneer’s bond, as appropriate.

APPRAISERS
A trustee may require the services of an appraiser to ascertain the value of property of an estate. For economy of administration, trustees may use alternative means of valuation if feasible, but the basis for the valuation must be documented. Alternative valuation means include the NADA book for automobiles; information acquired from real estate agents, as well as county records regarding recent sales of comparable real property; or advertisements for the sale of like goods.

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If you prefer, you can also schedule a 15 minute web demo so you can see for yourself how to get started.

Schedule a Demo

__________________________________

You May Also Be Interested In:
The 363 Bankruptcy Sale Procedure – Broken Down and Simplified
Property of the Estate Under 11 U.S.C. § 541
The Automatic Stay
In Which District/Venue Should You Purchase the Asset?
Why U.S. Bankruptcy Acquisitions Make Good Sense For Foreign Investors
Overbid? What is that?
Is Your Bankruptcy Asset Purchase Lien Free? Why?