15-1507.2.Online judicial sale.

The sheriff or other person conducting a judicial sale may run it online, either directly or by engaging a vetted third-party online sale provider -- a sale platform or service that isn't the person conducting the sale or a party to the case, acquired through a process confirming it meets the Article's requirements. Running the sale online can add a reasonable fee, capped at $400 for residential foreclosures unless the court approves a higher amount; any additional fees not charged as a case cost can instead be privately agreed to and paid. These online fees don't reduce the sheriff's statutory fees under the Counties Code, and the sheriff or other person must show the court it has the documented processes, recordkeeping, and capability to run compliant online auctions.

If a sale runs both online and in person, every accepted bid must be announced simultaneously at the in-person sale and shown online in real time (though pre-set maximum bids stay hidden until placed), and viewing properties or participating in the auction, online or in person, is always free to the public. Bidders must register with identifying and contact information -- name, email, and phone for individuals; legal name, contact person, email, and phone for entities -- and have their identity verified (by government ID, biometric, or other method) before placing an online bid. The winning purchaser must be checked against the federal Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list before the court can approve the sale, and must submit identifying information, the deposit if applicable, and the balance due starting at least 24 hours after the sale ends (unless the sale conductor sets a different requirement); failing to do so puts the purchaser in default and can lead to a resale.

Any online sale platform must maintain data-security controls meeting industry standards -- such as an annual SOC 2 report -- and the sale conductor or third-party provider may market and promote the sale (through listings and email campaigns) at its own expense. Any third-party provider is barred from holding sale funds unless the court specifically approves it to do so. For residential sales conducted online, bidding may stay open up to 3 days, extended as needed for active competitive bidding, and must remain open to everyone for the full bidding period.