In the fast-paced world of the auction house, home-buying is quick, secure and instant, so there's no risk of another buyer swooping in to steal your dream home once the hammer's fallen. It's also the perfect place to pick up a bargain and even luxury homes can be snapped up at a discount. We've rounded up some of America’s most regal residences coming to the auction floor soon, from a historic homestead in Alabama to an opulent Florida penthouse. Get ready to bid...

Previously offered for $1.8 million (£1.4m) and with a reserve price of $850,000 (£658k), Barton Hall is a National Historic Landmark and was once the home of Armstead Barton – one of northern Alabama’s richest men. Completed in the 1840s, the façade of this grand Greek Revival house features an impressive columned portico and charming green shutters.

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Stretching 10,000 square feet, the tasteful interior is in keeping with the home's heritage. This cosy living room is decorated in a rich red hue with large sash windows flanking a stunning fireplace – the perfect spot to gather on cold wintery evenings.

The spacious dining room can seat at least 10 guests for dinner, while the fireplace and chandelier add to the sense of grandeur. Offering five bedrooms and four full bathrooms, Barton Hall has plenty of room to accommodate overnight visitors too.

The spacious master suite features an imposing four-poster bed, fireplace, sitting area and walk-in wardrobe. The town of Cherokee is 10 minutes from the Mississippi border and close to the Tennessee River, Pickwick Lake and Bankhead National Forest, so nature-lovers will be spoilt for choice.

Encompassing 90 acres of grounds, the estate includes an alfresco dining area, a detached garage with a workshop, barn and cedar-lined circular drive. Bidding opens on the 24th February at a live auction or online and the successful bidder will also have to pay 12% of the purchase price as a buyer’s premium to Concierge Auctions.

This pretty 2,700-square-foot villa at Mayacama Golf Club is located in the desirable Sonoma wine region in northern California and includes access to a championship golf course as well as a range of other sports, leisure activities and dining options. Previously offered for $3 million (£2.3m), there’s no reserve price set.

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The open-plan kitchen, living and dining area opens out onto a shady balcony, offering indoor-outdoor living at its finest, plus there’s also a separate living room for more formal gatherings. The home's stand-out architectural features include limestone fireplaces, stone tiles, hardwood floors and beamed ceilings.

The plush property includes three bedrooms in total, including two master sanctuaries situated at opposite ends of the villa with French doors leading out onto balconies. There’s a twin bedroom too, making this property great for families as well as hosting guests.

With no shortage of opulence, this fabulous bathroom features marble floors, dual sinks and a walk-in shower. If you need to really unwind, the private Mayacama Golf Club also offers access to a spa for the ultimate in relaxation. For more active pursuits there’s a tennis court, fitness centre and hiking trails.

Outside, the alfresco lounge includes a fireplace and barbeque area – ideal for entertaining in the open air. For vino connoisseurs, the town of Healdsburg, which boasts three of America’s top wineries, is a few miles away. Online bidding starts on the 25th March, with a buyer's fee of 12% or $150,000 (£116k) payable, while 12% of your opening bid will be refunded.

This three-bedroom desert home on the shores of Lake Las Vegas is located in the gated community of South Shore. Encompassing a 6,746-square-foot house and just over half an acre of land, it has a reserve price of $1.8 million (£1.4m) but was previously offered for $3.8 million (£2.9m).

Entering the house through the double arched front doors, the luxurious main living area offers a lavish welcome. Featuring a coffered feature ceiling, a stone fireplace and Brazilian cherry wood floors, this is one space with no shortage of wow factor.

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The huge kitchen has a large central island with state-of-the-art appliances and comfortable bar seating for four people – the perfect place to grab a quick meal on the go. White cabinets and grey granite worktops give the room a high-end feel, while the statement frieze adds a regal touch.

Leading off from each of the two master suites, idyllic balconies offer plenty of space to relax, unwind and take in the fabulous mountain views. As well as stylish sleeping spaces, the accommodation also includes a home office, three garage spaces and even a lift.

Outside, the infinity-edge pool, alfresco dining patio and covered lounge areas provide everything you need for outdoor living in the desert. The Las Vegas Strip is just 30 minutes away, while  Death Valley National Park is two hours by car. Bidding opens on the 25th February and a buyer’s premium of 12% is payable on the property.

Located on the western slopes of Mount Hualalai, this tranquil estate offers a three-bedroom, 5,391-square-foot house and almost nine-and-a-half acres of land. It was designed by renowned architect Lucky Bennett and is being auctioned with no reserve price, having been previously offered for $5.6 million (£4.3m).

Bright and airy, this stunning living area is the ideal place to take in the best the island has to offer, featuring two retractable glass walls that open up to showcase panoramic views of the ocean. Whether you enjoy the sea breeze as you dine or take in a cocktail on the terrace, this has to be the ultimate sea-view entertaining space.

The custom-built kitchen, with its black granite worktops and island bar, is perfect for cooking up a feast while taking in those waterfront vistas. Decked out with high-end appliances, there's also a temperature-controlled wine room with enough space to store 1,600 bottles.

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The sleeping quarters include a master sanctuary in a separate wing, as well as two guest suites with private entrances. If you've fallen for this tropical beauty, you can stake your claim at the online auction from the 3rd March. You’ll pay a buyer’s premium of 12% of the price, minus 12% of your opening bid.

Outside, the opulence continues with two pools, a spa and hot tub, outdoor kitchen, citrus orchard, tennis court and koi pond. Beach-lovers will be spoilt for choice, with Magic Sands Beach, Kealakekua Bay and Kahalu’u Beach Park nearby. You’re also just six miles from Kailua-Kona for the best in fine dining and shopping.

Yearning for a luxury lifestyle by the beach? This gorgeous 23rd-floor penthouse might just tick all the boxes. The property has no reserve price, however a similar penthouse on the market is currently listed for $5.8 million (£4.5m). Built in 2004, the vast, palatial penthouse has just shy of 6,000 square feet of living space.

Inside, there’s no end of opulent features, including marble floors, regal columns and ornate mouldings. The penthouse's six terraces enjoy uninterrupted views of white sandy beaches and the Ten Thousand Islands, while the five bedrooms and four bathrooms offer ample space for guests to stay.

Accented with warming dark wood, this cosy family room features a gas fireplace, a coffered ceiling, built-in cabinets and a drinks bar with onyx worktops. The apartment also has a den with rosewood flooring, a drinks refrigerator and a balcony with panoramic views.

Elsewhere, the lavish master suite includes a private balcony, sitting area, walk-in wardrobe and its own private sauna. There’s also plenty of built-in technology to make day-to-day living a breeze – in this room, pressure sensors in the floor turn on the lights in the bathroom, while motorised window blinds have been fitted throughout the penthouse.

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As a resident of the Belize complex, you also have access to club amenities, including a cinema room, fitness centre, tennis courts and a swimming pool. You can bid for this property at the online auction on the 29th February. There’s a 2% participation fee payable on top of the final price if you’re the winning bidder.

This fabulous Gilded Age mansion in Montecito, California, was designed by architect Lutah Maria Riggs back in the 1930s. Soon to go under the hammer, the grand property has no reserve price but was previously offered for $12.5 million (£9.7m). The sprawling 13,456-square-foot house comes with six bedrooms and just over two acres, featuring a pool and a cabana.

Hardwood floors, wood panelling and French doors give this expansive living room a sense of grandeur, while the elegant fireplace offers a welcoming spot to retire to in the colder months. While the interior aesthetic is classic, there are no end of modern additions, including a home automation system and a Sonos sound system.

In the kitchen, custom white cabinetry and Carrara marble worktops contrast with dramatic dark wood floors. Adjoining this space is a breakfast room that seats six people and leads out onto an idyllic alfresco dining patio. If that wasn't enough, there's also a wine room, games room, gym and home office, plus a one-bedroom guest apartment above the six-car garage.

Described as the ‘master sanctuary’, this opulent suite doesn't scrimp on luxury, with dressing rooms, Roman-style soaking tubs, a coffee bar and balcony. A stunning centerpiece, the regal fireplace adds a cosy feel to this sleek, minimalist space.

In the grounds, there are beautiful formal gardens designed by Lockwood de Forest, plus sports courts, barbeque terraces and orchards. Ideally located, the mansion is a mile from the seaside town of Montecito – part of the area dubbed the American Riviera. If you want to snap it up, the online auction takes place from the 24th February. There’s a buyer’s premium of 12% but if you make the winning bid, you'll get 12% of your opening bid back. Ready to hit the auction room floor?

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