Question 1

What is REVOL Bids?

Accepted Answer

REVOL Bids is a real estate platform built around accelerated bidding: a home is listed just below market value, an Offer Period opens, and verified buyers bid the price up in the open. It is run by REVOL Real Estate, a licensed Maryland brokerage, with Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington, DC coming.

Question 2

Is this an auction?

Accepted Answer

No. In an auction, clearing a reserve price sells the home — the sale settles when the bidding closes. REVOL Bids has no reserve and no floor price of any kind, and nothing is ever sold automatically. Every bid is the seller's to accept, counter or decline, at any moment. The bidding is there to bring more offers to the table, not to decide the outcome.

Question 3

What is the difference between accelerated bidding and a traditional auction?

Accepted Answer

A traditional auction happens on one day, usually cash only and as-is, and the gavel ends it. Accelerated bidding runs for a set Offer Period, welcomes financed buyers, posts disclosures before bidding opens, and leaves every decision with the seller from the first bid to the last.

Question 4

Where do you operate?

Accepted Answer

Maryland today. Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington, DC are coming. If you are outside Maryland, contact us — we can often refer you to a trusted partner in the meantime.

Question 5

Who is behind REVOL Bids?

Accepted Answer

REVOL Real Estate, a full-service brokerage with in-house mortgage and title partners. Every REVOL Bids listing is represented by a licensed REVOL agent.

Question 6

Why would I list below market value?

Accepted Answer

Because that is what fills the room. A below-market Minimum Bid brings in every serious buyer at once, and competition among those buyers is what pushes the price to true market value and beyond. You are never exposed, because no bid ever obligates you — you decide on every one.

Question 7

Am I obligated to sell if bidding comes in low?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no reserve and no floor price. No bid binds you at any price. If nothing reaches a number you are happy with, you decline and the home does not sell.

Question 8

Can I accept a bid before the Offer Period closes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You keep the right to accept any bid at any point. If a strong, well-financed bid comes in early, you can take it and move to contract. Accepting ends the Offer Period.

Question 9

Do I have to accept the highest bid?

Accepted Answer

No. The highest bid has no special status. You weigh every bid on its full terms — financing, down payment, closing date — and you may accept a lower bid with stronger terms, counter any bid, or decline them all.

Question 10

What does it cost me?

Accepted Answer

Commissions are paid through the Buyer's Transaction Fee, so the price you accept is your price. Your agent will walk through any listing-side costs — photography, pre-listing inspection if you choose one — in your free consultation.

Question 11

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

About one week to prepare and launch, an Offer Period of usually 10 to 15 days, then a normal 30-to-45-day closing. Most sellers go from strategy session to an accepted bid in about three weeks.

Question 12

What if nobody bids?

Accepted Answer

The home does not sell and you owe nothing for the Offer Period. Your agent will walk through the data — how many buyers registered, how many were approved, where bidding stopped — and recommend a next step.

Question 13

Does my home need to be in perfect condition?

Accepted Answer

No. Well-kept homes in any price range do well. What matters more is full disclosure up front: buyers who know what they are buying bid with confidence.

Question 14

Will my home be on the MLS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your listing runs on REVOL Bids, the MLS, and the major portals at the same time, with the bidding details clearly explained.

Question 15

Can I keep showing the home during the Offer Period?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we encourage it. Buyers who tour are far more likely to request approval and bid.

Question 16

What do I see during the Offer Period?

Accepted Answer

Your seller portal shows the live countdown, every bid with its terms, how many buyers are approved, and all of your documents. You also get a text on every new bid.

Question 17

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Create a free account, then complete buyer verification: confirm your identity and upload proof of funds or a lender pre-approval. Most verifications are approved within one business day.

Question 18

What is the difference between verification and bidding approval?

Accepted Answer

Verification is one time, for your account. Bidding approval is per property — a short request that includes your financing, down payment and maximum bid, plus a signed bidding agreement for that home. Once approved, you can bid on that home.

Question 19

Why do I have to be approved for each home separately?

Accepted Answer

It protects everyone. Sellers know every bidder on their home is qualified for that price range, and buyers know they are competing only against real, able buyers.

Question 20

Can I use a mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Conventional, FHA, VA and other financing are all welcome. Your pre-approval is confirmed during verification.

Question 21

What is the Buyer's Transaction Fee and how much is it?

Accepted Answer

6% of your bid, added on top of it: 1% to the bidding platform, 2.5% to the listing side, and up to 2.5% toward your own agent's commission. That last part is whatever your written agreement with your agent says, up to the 2.5% cap — if you agreed to less, you pay less. If you bid without an agent there is no buyer-agent portion at all, and your fee is 3.5%. Every listing shows the fee and the resulting sales price before bidding opens, so you always know your all-in number. You can roll it into your mortgage or pay it at closing.

Question 22

Is there a deposit to bid?

Accepted Answer

No deposit is required to bid, and there is never a hold on your card. If the seller accepts your bid, your earnest money deposit is initiated through DepositLink within two banking hours and is credited toward your purchase at closing.

Question 23

Can I see other bids?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The current high bid is visible to everyone. Other bidders' financing details and maximums are private.

Question 24

Does the seller see my maximum bid?

Accepted Answer

No. Your maximum is used only to confirm you are qualified. The seller sees your actual bids and their terms.

Question 25

What happens if I am outbid?

Accepted Answer

You get a text and email immediately, and you can bid again any time before the window closes.

Question 26

Am I obligated if I am the high bidder?

Accepted Answer

Being the high bidder does not by itself bind you or the seller — nothing is ever accepted automatically. Once the seller accepts your bid, you are under a binding obligation to purchase. That is why disclosures and inspections are posted before bidding: so you commit with full knowledge.

Question 27

Can the home sell before the deadline?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The seller may accept a bid at any moment during the Offer Period. If that happens, the Offer Period ends immediately and every other bid lapses. Bid your best number early.

Question 28

Can I inspect the home before bidding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and you should. Tour it, read the posted disclosures and any inspection report, and ask questions before you bid.

Question 29

Can my agent bid for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A licensed buyer's agent can request approval and place bids on your behalf. They will enter your information when they request approval, and you will be named on the bidding agreement.

Question 30

How fast do I need to close?

Accepted Answer

You propose your closing date as part of each bid — typically 30 to 45 days for financed buyers, faster for cash. Sellers weigh it along with price.

Question 31

Can I bring a buyer to a REVOL Bids listing?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Create an account, complete verification as the agent, then request bidding approval on the property and mark that you are bidding on behalf of a client. You will enter the client's name and contact information.

Question 32

How is the buyer's agent compensated?

Accepted Answer

Out of the Buyer's Transaction Fee at closing, up to 2.5% of the bid. The amount actually paid is what your written agreement with your client provides, capped at 2.5%. If your agreement is for more than that, the difference is between you and your client and should be settled before they bid. If it is for less, your client's fee is lower by the difference. The amount is disclosed on each listing.

Question 33

Who signs the bidding agreement — me or my client?

Accepted Answer

The agent signs electronically as the authorized representative and certifies that the client has reviewed and agreed to the terms. The client is named on the agreement.

Question 34

Can I list my own seller's home on REVOL Bids?

Accepted Answer

REVOL Bids listings are represented by REVOL agents. If you have a seller who would benefit from accelerated bidding, contact us about a referral arrangement.

Question 35

Does my client need their own account?

Accepted Answer

Not to bid — you can handle approval and bidding from your account. Many clients do create an account so they can follow the bidding live and receive notifications directly.

Question 36

What happens the moment a bid is accepted?

Accepted Answer

The buyer and seller are notified by text and email, the Offer Period ends, and every other bid lapses. The accepted bid becomes the basis of the purchase price in the contract, and the buyer's earnest money is initiated through DepositLink within two banking hours.

Question 37

Is there a second round of negotiation after inspections?

Accepted Answer

No. Because disclosures and inspections happen before bidding, the accepted bid is the price. This is one of the biggest advantages for sellers.

Question 38

Who handles title and settlement?

Accepted Answer

You may use any title company you like. REVOL has an in-house title partner available if you would like a coordinated close.

Question 39

How long is closing?

Accepted Answer

The closing date is part of the accepted bid — typically 30 to 45 days for financed buyers and as little as two weeks for cash.

Question 40

What if the buyer's financing falls through?

Accepted Answer

Financing is verified before a buyer is approved to bid, which makes this rare. If it happens, the contract's financing terms govern. Bids that lapsed when the seller accepted cannot be revived, so the seller's route is to re-offer the property.

Every question we've
been asked. Answered.

The basics

For sellers

For buyers

For real estate agents

After acceptance

Didn't find it?

Every question we've been asked. Answered.