General sales terms

1. Bid form

Bid for Purchase of Surplus Real Estate DOT Form 260-051 (PDS 21.6KB) must be completed when submitting bids. For each property being bid on, a separate bid with accompanying deposit must be submitted in its own envelope and mailed separately with the corresponding I.C. No. written on the outside of each mailing envelope. Bid forms must be filled out legibly with all erasures, strike overs, and corrections initialed by the person signing the bid.

The mailing envelope must clearly identify the name and address of the bidder as well as display the property I.C. No. being bid on. If bidding on more than one property each bid must be mailed in its own individual envelope separately with the property I.C. No. displayed.
 

Bid delivery 

All bids must be mailed and received at the Real Estate Services office by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the scheduled date of the bid opening. Bids received after the scheduled time and date will not be accepted or read. Mailed bids must be sent by Fed Ex or UPS to:

WSDOT Real Estate Services
Attn: Auction
7345 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501
360-709-8229

2. Surety deposit

All bids must be accompanied by a surety deposit to be considered. All deposits must be in the form of CASHIER'S CHECK, CERTIFIED-CHECK or MONEY ORDER, made payable to: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Any other form of deposit will not be accepted

Bidders are encouraged to note the parcel I.C. No and their name on the deposit.

For bids of $1,000.00 or less, the deposit must equal the amount of the bid. For bids of $1,000.00 or more, the deposit must be at least 10% of the amount bid or $5,000.00, WHICHEVER IS LESS. Should the apparent successful bidder fail to complete the sale according to the terms stated herein, the deposit will be retained by the state as liquidated damages. The deposits of unsuccessful bidders will be returned certified mail as soon as possible, normally within two business days of the bid opening.

3. Cash purchase

The remaining balance of the sale price shall be due and payable within 60 days after the date of sale. Time extensions may be granted on a case by case basis but may never be a condition of the bid, as contingent or conditional bids are not allowed.

4. Contract purchase

If you are the successful bidder and choose to purchase by real estate contract, for balances of $2,500 or more upon approval of purchaser's credit, on a real estate contract will be prepared by the department. The surety deposit will be applied toward the down payment. Down payment(s) required are ten percent (10%) for unimproved properties, and fifteen percent (15%) for properties improved with dwellings or other major structures.

All contracts will include 12% annual interest computed on the periodic declining balance. Payment schedules may be available on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Quarterly, semi-annual and annual schedules require a larger down payment. Contract lengths are normally equal to one year for each $1,000 owed on the starting balance, up to a maximum of 20 years.

Apparent successful bidders who request contract terms will be required to complete and sign an application for Real Estate Contract DOT Form 263-006 (PDF 20.2KB).

Please mail completed applications to:

WSDOT
Attn: Real Estate Services
PO Box 47338
Olympia, WA 98504-7338

The information supplied will be used to obtain a credit report from a credit reporting agency. Credit guidelines are those typically used by lending institutions.

If credit is not approved, the apparent successful bidder will have the opportunity to purchase for cash. Should the apparent successful bidder then be unable to complete a cash sale, the surety deposit will be forfeited. Prospective bidders who are uncertain as to the quality of their credit are encouraged to obtain a credit report prior to submitting their bid(s).

5. Closing cost

Successful bidders are required by law, RCW 65.08.095, to pay recording fees. Assessment payments, if any, may be prorated and will be assumed by the purchaser.

6. Conveyance, title insurance and survey

Upon receipt of the total sale price, plus interest if any, title will be conveyed by Quitclaim Deed. The state will not provide title insurance or surveys.

7. Department of Transportation employees

Department employees must request and receive the written permission of the Secretary of Transportation prior to bidding on department owned property. 

8. Sale procedure

The property will be sold for the highest qualifying bid that is equal to or higher than the minimum bid listed. When two (2) or more highest bids are submitted for the same amount, the tied bidders will be notified and requested to submit a new written bid to break the tie.

Bids will be opened beginning after the scheduled bid opening time with the name of the bidder, and the bid amount being announced. Bids will be opened in the order in which the parcels are listed on the Parcel Information Brochure.

The department may, at its election, waive any minor informalities or irregularities in bids received or reject any or all bids or portions thereof. Bids containing contingencies or conditions will be rejected.

9. Bid status

Modification to a bid is not permitted; should a bidder wish to modify their bid they must submit a new bid in the old bids place, noting on the new bid that it is replacing a bid already received. Any withdrawal of bids is subject to positive identification of the bidder and will not be considered unless made prior to the exact time set for bid opening. Name and address of bidder, and I.C. No. (if multiple bids are submitted) must be on the bid envelope or the bid may not be withdrawn or modified. Bids may not be assigned to third parties.

10. Default

Should the apparent successful bidder default or fail to qualify, another auction will be scheduled or, at the department's option, the property will be offered to the next highest qualified bidder.

11. Attendance

Your attendance is not required, however, you are welcome to attend the bid opening virtually via the link on the WSDOT Real Estate Service Auction website, the link will be provided prior to the day of the auction. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodation may request written materials in alternative formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodation by calling (360) 705-7097, or TDD users can call 1-800-TDD-NETT.

The apparent successful bidder will be notified and will receive a receipt for their deposit by mail. Unsuccessful bidders will be notified and their deposits returned by certified mail, as soon as possible, normally within two business days of the bid opening.

12. Unsold properties

Those properties for which no bids have been received at opening may be purchased for the minimum bid on a first come first serve basis.

13. Property condition

The property is being offered "as is" and "where is" without representation, warranty or guarantee as to quality, character, condition, size or kind, or that the same is in condition or fit to be used for the purpose for which intended, and no claim for any allowance or deduction upon such grounds will be considered after bids have been awarded. In addition, the property shall be sold with the express understanding that the property may have been used for highway purposes and there is a risk that highway debris may be buried beneath the surface of the property.

14. Conditions of sale

THE STATE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE PARCEL INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE NOTICE OF AUCTION AS WELL AS ANY OTHER PARCEL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE STATE. THE STATE MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUITABILITY FOR ANY USE. Interested parties are instructed to contact the local jurisdiction for specific requirements regarding use(s) allowed. All sales are subject to existing easements, reservations, restrictions, zoning ordinances, building and use restrictions, matters that would be disclosed by an accurate survey, and such other encumbrances as may be disclosed by an examination of the public records and/or an inspection of the premises; rental or lease agreements as may exist; also, special conditions contained herein and as may be named in other materials distributed by the state. The State reserves the right to cancel any or all sales and reject any or all bids. All sales are subject to approval by the Secretary of Transportation.