INDIANAPOLIS — It takes an average of 9 1/2 months to sell a house in the Indianapolis market in the current real estate slump. But homeowners have another, faster option: auctions.

Selling a house or other property at auction typically takes 60 days, said Melissa Davis, who handles real estate auctions for Christy's of Indiana.

"We have gotten more calls this year, probably an increase of 25 percent," Davis said.

The number of residential real estate auctions has increased by 46.6 percent nationally during the past five years, said Chris Longley, spokesman for the National Auctioneers Association of Overland Park, Kan. The increase has been largely of homes that are not in foreclosure, he said.

The time saved and knowledge that their house will sell on a specific date is particularly attractive to many sellers, said Mark Bonham of United Country-Bonham Auction and Realty in Indianapolis.

"Traditional selling is a problem for some because of the uncertainty," Bonham said. "With an auction, you know the date your property is going to sell, and, if you're a buyer, you know what the bids are."

Also, homes sold at auction are normally sold "as is." Christy's Davis said in most cases, buyers can have the home inspected beforehand.

However, repairs or recommendations that come from the inspection are at the buyer's expense.

Earl's Auction Company & Liquidators in Indianapolis has seen an increase in auctions not only of residential real estate, but also of commercial property, as the economy has soured in the past year, according to company president Earl Cornwell Jr.

"The price of the product is down, but our auctions are up," Cornwell said. "Our business is booming."