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78 "We're not highly levered. We're older. We could withstand (another) 2008. We wouldn't be happy about it, but we could stand it," he said. e increased interest in online auctions is showing up in website traffic data along with competitive bidding behavior on Auction.com. Online REO auctions accounted for more than half of all property page views on the Auction.com website on March 18, the first day this year that share broke 50%. Since then, the share of property page views for online REO auctions has continued to trend higher, reaching a new high of 65% on March 31. Additionally, more than 89% of online auction properties sold in the first quarter of 2020 received multiple, competing bids. at was up from 85% in the previous quarter and 86% a year ago to the highest level since Q3 2017, the earliest that data is available. AN ARK FOR THE COMING FORECLOSURE FLOOD In-person foreclosure auctions nationwide largely ground to a halt in the second half of March due to the widespread foreclosure moratoriums and courthouse closures triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, many investors have shifted their focus in the short term to online REO auctions, but investors are also readying for the expected flood of foreclosure auctions that will hit as the moratoriums and courthouse closures are lifted. "We've dealt with a shortage of inventory this year, to be honest," said Jason Epstein, co-founder and President of CastleRock REO, which buys 1,500 to 2,000 distressed properties a year nationwide. "I think we will be in a good position when we come out the other side of this." Helping investors to absorb the expected influx of foreclosure auction inventory is new remote bidding technology launched by Auction.com in March. "e remote bid technology will allow investors to maintain social distance when bidding at a foreclosure auction, which traditionally has required bidders to be physically present to participate," Haralson said. "Auction.com has invested heavily in the remote bid technology over the past several years and is accelerating the roll-out process to make it available in as many counties as possible as soon as possible." Daren Blomquist is VP of Market Economics at Auction.com. In this role, Daren Blomquist analyzes and forecasts complex macro- and microeconomic data trends within the marketplace and greater industry to provide value to both buyers and sellers using the Auction.com platform. Blomquist's reports and analysis have been cited by thousands of media outlets nationwide— including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA TODAY, and on many national network broadcasts, including CBS, ABC, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, and Bloomberg. Feature By: Daren Blomquist The increased interest in online auctions is showing up in website traffic data along with competitive bidding behavior.