Real Estate Auctions

Real estate auctions in Central Ohio and beyond

Selling property through auction offers a faster, more efficient alternative to traditional methods—particularly when time matters or conventional marketing isn’t producing results. Whether you’re settling an estate, managing a foreclosure, handling a business closure, or facing a job relocation, real estate auctions provide competitive market exposure with accelerated timelines.

For nearly 25 years, Michael Hoffman has successfully sold hundreds of properties including residential homes, farms, commercial buildings, and industrial spaces through both auction and traditional methods. As a CAI-designated auctioneer with AARE (Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate) specialization and a licensed REALTOR® with Re/Max Consultant Group, Michael provides dual capability—traditional listing or accelerated auction sale—based on what serves your specific situation best.

What we sell at real estate auctions

We handle all property types across Ohio: residential homes (single-family, multi-family, condos), commercial buildings, industrial facilities, agricultural land and farms, vacant lots, and investment properties. Each property receives comprehensive marketing including MLS syndication to Realtor.com, Zillow, and Trulia, targeted buyer campaigns, professional photography, and strategic promotion through our network.

Real estate auctions are ideal for estate properties requiring timely settlement, bank-owned or foreclosed properties, divorce-related sales, business closures, job relocations, and any time-sensitive situation where accelerated sale timelines matter more than waiting months for traditional market absorption.

Traditional real estate or auction? We help you decide

Not every property should be auctioned. Part of our consultation involves evaluating whether auction or traditional real estate marketing better serves your goals. We consider factors like property condition, market timing, your timeline requirements, legal circumstances, and expected buyer demand. Michael’s dual licensing as both auctioneer and REALTOR® means you receive objective guidance focused on achieving the best net result regardless of sales method.

How real estate auctions work

Real estate auctions follow a structured timeline designed to create competitive buyer interest while maintaining legal compliance and protecting seller interests.

Consultation and property evaluation: We assess your property, discuss your timeline and goals, review any legal requirements (estate settlement, court supervision, bankruptcy proceedings), and determine whether auction or traditional sale better serves your situation. This consultation is complimentary and establishes clear expectations before any agreement is signed.

Preliminary title examination and preparation: Before marketing begins, we conduct preliminary title examination to identify and resolve any title issues that could delay closing. This proactive approach gives buyers confidence they’ll receive clean title, which increases participation and competitive bidding. We coordinate inspections, surveys, and any required disclosures during this phase.

Marketing and buyer qualification: Once the auction agreement is signed, comprehensive marketing typically launches within days. Properties receive full MLS exposure with syndication to major platforms, targeted email campaigns to qualified buyer lists, social media promotion, professional signage, direct mail to neighboring properties, and print advertising where appropriate. Through our MarkNet Alliance membership, properties also gain access to a nationwide bidder pool particularly valuable for unique or high-value assets. We pre-qualify serious buyers and ensure they understand terms, financing requirements, and closing timelines before auction day.

Auction execution: Depending on property type, market conditions, and your preferences, auctions can be conducted as live events (creating dynamic competitive atmosphere with local bidders), online-only (convenient and accessible to broader audiences), or simulcast (combining live and online bidding for maximum reach). The auction establishes final sales price through competitive bidding, with terms clearly communicated throughout.

Closing and settlement: Once the auction concludes, closing typically occurs within 30 days. Since title examination was completed beforehand and buyers were pre-qualified, this phase moves efficiently. We coordinate with closing attorneys, handle all paperwork, and ensure smooth transfer of ownership. In many cases, the entire process from signed agreement to closed sale completes in under 60 days—and we’ve closed properties in under a week when circumstances required it.

Why sellers choose real estate auctions

Real estate auctions create time-certain sale dates rather than indefinite market exposure. Properties that might sit for months through traditional marketing sell in weeks. The competitive bidding environment often produces prices that meet or exceed expected values, particularly when multiple motivated buyers compete for the same asset.

Auctions provide transparency that serves sellers, buyers, and court oversight equally well. Terms are clearly established, timelines are predictable, and outcomes aren’t dependent on whether the “right buyer” eventually discovers the listing. This makes auctions particularly valuable when fiduciary duty, legal compliance, or time sensitivity matter.

Michael Hoffman’s CAI and AARE credentials represent the auction industry’s highest educational achievements in general auctioneering and real estate auction specialization. Combined with nearly 25 years of experience across estate settlements, court-ordered sales, and traditional real estate, this expertise ensures your property receives professional handling regardless of complexity or legal requirements.

For buyers: competitive opportunities

Real estate auctions create opportunities to purchase properties through transparent competitive process. Buyers know they’re competing on level ground with clear terms rather than navigating private negotiations. Properties sell subject to announced terms and conditions, with closing typically occurring within 30 days of auction conclusion.

Our preliminary title examination means buyers can bid with confidence knowing title issues have been identified and resolved before auction day. Pre-auction inspections and property information packets provide the due diligence materials needed to make informed decisions.

Related services

Michael Hoffman provides comprehensive auction and real estate services beyond real estate auctions. When properties contain personal property, Personal Property Auctions allow efficient liquidation of contents alongside or separate from real estate sales. Business Liquidations handle equipment, inventory, and assets when commercial properties close. Court-Ordered Auctions provide compliant sale processes for properties under legal supervision. Asset Appraisals establish documented values for estate planning, tax purposes, or equitable distribution.

By combining expertise across multiple service areas, we ensure your real estate and related assets receive coordinated professional handling throughout the entire process.

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re an executor settling an estate, an attorney managing court-supervised sales, a business owner closing operations, or a property owner facing time-sensitive circumstances, real estate auctions provide accelerated timelines with competitive market exposure.

Contact Hoffman Auctions at (614) 314-0298 or schedule a consultation to discuss your property and determine the best sales approach for your situation. Our clients consistently tell us they appreciate straightforward guidance, professional execution, and results that exceed expectations—see what others have said on our Client Testimonials page.