They had listed their home with a realtor with a six month listing agreement. Since then, they have had very few showings. The agreement expires at the end of the month and they are not sure what to do.

It was her understanding that selling a home by auction was only for distressed properties, like foreclosures, or government seized property. I tried to explain to her that things are different today, that more and more homeowners are using the auction method.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) verified this several months ago by stating that in a very few years, 25% or more homes will be sold through auctions. In February 2003, The Wall Street Journal ran a story with the heading, “Auctions Are No Longer Only for the Desperate.” The National Association of Auctioneers (NAA) reports that the sale of residential properties  by auction continues to be on the increase.

A seller does not need to be desperate to be motivated. Many sellers have reasonable price expectations and prefer the speed and excitement of the auction process.

It may still be true that foreclosed properties are still big business and carry the “last resort” image but don’t view all real estate as a last resort.  I told her a live auction should had been her first consideration. I encouraged her to attend an auction or two to get a feel how they are conducted and the prices that homes are being sold for.

And I also told her to visit my website at www.canSellnow.com to learn more about auctions. J