Fake Bids, Hidden Fees & Shady Auctioneers: Land Auctions Exposed (Ep. 362)
Farming Without the Bank Podcast
Release Date: 07/10/2026
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Farming Without the Bank Podcast
One wrong auction company can cost you the true value of your land — and you'd never know it. 👉 Find more Farming Without the Bank here: 👉 Get the book: Amber Haugland of Haugland's Action Auction joins the show to pull back the curtain on a side of the land auction world most farmers never see coming. Whether you're selling the family farm, bidding on land next door, or starting to think about your estate, this episode could save you tens of thousands of dollars. IN THIS EPISODE: ✅ How to vet an auction company before you sign a single thing ✅ The...
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info_outlineOne wrong auction company can cost you the true value of your land — and you'd never know it.
👉 Find more Farming Without the Bank here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ
👉 Get the book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book
Amber Haugland of Haugland's Action Auction joins the show to pull back the curtain on a
side of the land auction world most farmers never see coming. Whether you're selling the
family farm, bidding on land next door, or starting to think about your estate, this
episode could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
IN THIS EPISODE:
✅ How to vet an auction company before you sign a single thing
✅ The "fake bid break" tactic — and exactly what to watch for in real time
✅ Why comparing commission rates alone will get you burned
✅ Sealed bid + live top-5 auction: why it consistently gets sellers the best price
✅ What buyers should NEVER tell an auction company
✅ Online auctions: the transparency problems and hidden buyer fees
✅ Owner financing through auction — how it works and why more people don't know about it
✅ Why naming your auction company in your estate plan prevents family war
✅ The ripple effect unethical auctioneers are having on farmland prices for everyone
Chapters
00:00 Step Back First
00:35 Podcast Intro
01:54 Seller Due Diligence
04:24 Marketing That Works
05:22 Verify Mailers Sent
08:10 Commission And Hidden Fees
11:27 Pressure Tactics Warning
12:38 Auction Types Explained
12:55 Phony Bids And Breaks
16:48 Sealed Bid Strategy
20:11 Online Auctions Problems
25:00 Reserves And Starting Bids
29:43 Market Distortion Fallout
35:02 Don't Tip Your Hand
37:39 True Land Value Metrics
39:12 Survey Cost Surprise
40:56 Buyer Prep and Price Discipline
42:19 Auction Red Flags and Transparency
42:58 Funny Money and Asking Who
45:22 Tenant Offers vs Auction
49:00 Keep Your Cards Close
50:33 Owner Financing Options
52:36 Risks and Screening Buyers
56:31 Sibling Disputes and Estate Planning
01:03:02 Sell Sooner and Enjoy It
01:07:52 Wrap Up and Contact Info
Connect with Amber Haugland:
🌐 https://hauglandsactionauction.com
🌐 https://hauglandinsuranceservices.com
📘 Get the Book: https://www.farmingwithoutthebank.com/book
📩 Questions? MaryJo@WithoutTheBank.com
#LandAuction #Farmland #FarmingWithoutTheBank #estateplanning