More homes are being auctioned than ever before, with some $16.9 billion sold by private auction houses last year. That?s not counting the foreclosed properties sold at sheriff auctions.Auctioneer  J.J. Johnston yells out as Derrick, left and father Abdul Karimian bid on a house at the home auction, Saturday April 26, 2008, in San Francisco, Calif. These homes are ones that have been foreclosed on in the recent months. Photo: Lacy Atkins, The Chronicle