Offering your contract at public auction, in my opinion is a great way to gererate interest and to expose the property.As a professional auctioneer - depending on what price you are in for and what you will accept as a net-equity profit - I would suggest a reserve public auction (you'll have more participants if you do an absolute auction).Not all auctioneers are good at marketing real estate - you'll need to interview them - you'll need to know the following:how much advertising money do they want up front to market the property, commission, time frame, how many real estate deals have they done, are they honest, will they do an assignment, are they respected in the community, where will they market your deal, get references, are they authorized to conduct real estate auctions?

You can manage your llc but you can't participate in it--no painting, remodeling, etc. 

Do you participate in an employer sponsored retirement savings plan?

However SE tax is imposed on active trades or businesses which generally means material participation is required. 

Can you participate and speak at Jeff's event?

I have no one to blame but myself for not participating in financial decision making, carrying credit card balances, being ignorant of our retirement savings and mortgage details, having no personal plan for my own financial future, and never creating a budget.

HELOCs are a great way to participate in real estate because they offer inexpensive access to very liquid funds. 

REOs (bank-owned properties that have already gone through foreclosure) are sometimes sold using the auction method... but they are owner auctions.Be very sure of the type of auction you are participating in. 

The Stock Market, for example, allows millions of people to participate as Shareholder Partners, enjoying the benefits of the Assets they are buying.Where the Education comes in has to do with the understanding that it's not about the PRICE of the Asset.

I would go on to say if you don't yet know what a good deal looks like you should not participate yet.