Just over a week until special Cook County Auction

The Cook County Public Administrator's office, representing residents who have died without a will, plans to auction 17 properties April 30. I am publishing info on one on the northwest side and a few in Skokie. Opening bids are set at two-thirds of the appraised value, says Public Administrator Michael Ian Bender. The successful bidder will need a cashier's check, a certified check or a money order for 10 percent of the opening amount and a personal check for 10 percent of the difference between the opening and final bids. For example, if a property opens at $100,000 and the gavel price is $120,000, the successful bidder will need a cashier's check, certified check or money order for $10,000 and a personal check for $2,000. Bender advises bidders to make checks or money orders payable to themselves in case they aren't successful. Properties are sold "as is" and subject to existing tenancies.The auction will be at 10 a.m. in Room 569 of the County Building, 118 N. Clark St. Before the auction, there will be one open house for each. They are:

CHICAGO
•4452 N. Melvina Ave. Appraised value $270,000, opening bid $180,000. This two-flat includes a full unfinished basement. Viewing is 10 a.m. to noon April 26.

SUBURBS
•4652 W. Washington St. Skokie. Appraised value $520,000, opening bid $346,666.66. The three-flat has three outdoor parking spaces. Viewing was April 19.

•4920 W. Mulford St., Skokie. Appraised value $1,060,000, opening bid $706,666.66. Rents in the three-story, 10-unit brick apartment building range from $600 to $950 per month. Viewing was April 19.

•4642 W. Washington St., Skokie. Appraised value $1,350,000, opening bid $900,000. Rents for this 13-unit apartment building range from $607 to $990 per month. Viewing was April 19. •

Call the real estate department of the Public Administrator's office at 312-603-0100 or visit www.cookcountygov.com