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My First Auction at a Home

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Exit Strategy Realty

I attended my first Real Estate Auction  in Lincolnwood, IL by Williams and Williams. I arrived early to preview the home before the Auction. The home is  new construction and consists of  8 room, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath. The original asking price for the home was $999,000 and on the auction date the opening bid price was $100,000. Needless to say there was a large crowd in the home on the day of the (25-50 people) auction. There were some people represented by agents and some were not. Those individuals who were planning to bid on the home had to pre-register by giving id, filling out a form, and were given a auction number to raise during the auction. 

I started to talk to several people who attended the Auction and we quessed amongst ourselves what the final bid price would be on this home. I guessed the price would be between $500,000-600,000. When the Auction began it started with a frenzy. It did not take long for the bidding to go over $400,000. When the price started to creep up to the high $400,000 there were fewer buyers interested. Finally, the last bid came in and it was $515,000. Not bad for a guess..right.. well not really and here is why... the auction was not considered and abslolute auction. In other words the final bid was still subject to the sellers approval.   I called Williams and Williams the day after the sale and found out the final bid was not accepted by the seller.

Final notes about this auction: This home was on the market for 445 days. It had an upaid mortgage balance of $826,000 according to the tax records from the MLS. The average price of a home in Lincolnwood, Il is $537,148 

It appears that bidders were anxious to buy this home and bid on emotions and if successful would not have gotton a great deal. I am curious what the seller is going to do now that it did not accept the bid.

Posted by

 

Jack Lewitz Broker Owner

http://www.ilrealestatespecialists.com

 Email Jack Today: jacklewitz@sbcglobal.net

 Call Jack Today ! Cell: 708-309-5334 Office: 847-674-6710

Rob Jacobs
Short sale pathways - Rockwood, MI
Short Sale Specialist

You'd think that with all of the foreclosure auctions williams and williams do, they would't do anything but an absolute auction. Sounds like fun though! i need to go check out some the actions around here sometime.

Jan 25, 2009 10:45 AM
Sabrina Kelley
ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Woodland Park, CO
Woodland Park Colorado Mountain Homes and Land

It seems like wasted energy, time and effort for the seller and the bidders and agents.

Jan 25, 2009 06:12 PM
Endea Thibodeaux
Lanham, MD
Solar Energy Consultant, CDPE, CLHMS

They will lower their expectations and try again!

Jan 26, 2009 03:58 AM