Public Auctions in San Diego

[Matt Lindsey]

I noticed that a home in my neighborhood had some papers on the doorway. It was a notice of sale stating that this home is being sold at a public auction in San Diego. The tenants haven't lived there in a long time and it says they're in default under a deed of rust or mortgage. It says on the paper that the "total amount due in the notice of sale" is just over $56K. I have no experience when it comes to public auctions. Are they allowed to auction it off for how ever much they want or do they start at $56K and go from there? Thanks for the help!