Ohio Auction Referrals: Help Connect Sellers with Solutions

When to Refer Someone to Auction

Estate Settlements Executors and families facing estate cleanouts, personal property liquidation, or estate real estate sales often benefit from the defined timeline and transparent process auctions provide.

Challenging Property Sales Real estate that hasn’t sold through traditional listings—properties with deferred maintenance, unique characteristics, estate conditions, or those requiring quick settlement—often performs well at auction.

Business Closures or Relocations Business owners facing retirement, partnership dissolution, or facility changes need efficient ways to liquidate equipment, inventory, and assets without lengthy individual sales.

Court-Supervised Sales Fiduciaries handling probate estates, trust administration, guardianship asset disposition, or bankruptcy liquidations require transparent, documented sale processes that satisfy court oversight.

Downsizing or Relocation Individuals moving to smaller homes, senior living facilities, or out of state often need complete household liquidation within a specific timeframe.

How Referrals Work

If you know someone who might benefit from auction services, you can:

1. Give them our contact information – Share our phone number (614) 314-0298 or email info@HoffmanAuctions.com
2. Contact us directly – Call or email with basic details about what needs to be sold and who we should contact
3. Make an introduction – Connect us by email or phone

We’ll take it from there—evaluating the property or assets, explaining the auction process, answering questions, and determining if auction is the right solution.

For Ohio Real Estate Professionals

If you’re a licensed Ohio REALTOR® with a client who might benefit from auction, here’s what you should know:

How It Works with Licensed Agents Any real estate auction listing must be with Re/Max Consultant Group with Michael Hoffman as the listing agent. Ohio real estate law requires referral fees be paid only between licensed brokers, so any compensation arrangement must be documented before the listing agreement is signed.

Common Situations Where Agents Refer Properties

• Expired or extended listings that haven’t sold traditionally
• Estate properties requiring cleanout before sale
• Properties in “as-is” condition or with deferred maintenance
• Unique properties with limited comparable sales
• Situations requiring a defined sale timeline

Often, It’s Not About Referral Fees Many agents refer properties to auction simply because it solves a problem—getting an estate property cleaned out so the house can sell, providing an alternative for a frustrated seller, or handling a property that doesn’t fit traditional marketing. If you’re primarily looking for that kind of assistance, just let us know and we’ll focus on getting the job done.

If Compensation Matters to You Ohio law allows licensed brokers to receive referral fees from other brokers. If compensation is part of your referral consideration, we’ll discuss that up front and document any agreement before the listing is signed. All arrangements must comply with Ohio Division of Real Estate requirements and your brokerage’s policies.

For Attorneys Working with Estates and Trusts

Attorneys representing executors, trustees, or guardians sometimes need auction services for clients facing asset liquidation under court supervision. While Ohio ethics rules allow attorney referral fees under specific circumstances (ORPC Rule 1.5(e)), we recognize that fiduciary relationships and court oversight create unique considerations.

When to Consider Auction for Your Client

• Probate estates with personal property or real estate to liquidate
• Trust administration requiring asset sales
• Guardianship cases needing transparent disposition of ward’s property
• Court-ordered sales requiring competitive bidding and documentation

How We Work with Attorneys and Fiduciaries We work directly with your client (the executor, trustee, or guardian) to evaluate assets, explain the auction process, provide documentation for court review, and handle the sale from marketing through closing. You maintain your attorney-client relationship while we handle the auction logistics.

Compensation Considerations Given the fiduciary nature of estate and trust work, we typically don’t discuss referral fees with attorneys representing executors or trustees. Our focus is on serving your client’s needs and providing the documentation courts expect. If you have questions about how compensation would work in a specific situation, we can discuss that separately.

What We Handle

Hoffman Auctions conducts sales for:

• Estate contents and personal property – Antiques, collectibles, furniture, tools, vehicles, household goods (Personal Property Auctions)
• Residential and commercial real estate – Homes, farms, land, commercial buildings (Real Estate Auctions)
• Business equipment and inventory – Manufacturing equipment, restaurant fixtures, office furniture, complete business closures (Business Liquidations)
• Court-supervised sales – Probate, trust, guardianship, and bankruptcy asset liquidation (Court Ordered Auctions)
• Specialty items – Farm machinery, construction equipment, commercial vehicles, firearms collections

Why People Choose Hoffman Auctions

Defined Timeline Most auctions close within 30-45 days from contract signing, giving sellers a clear date when the sale completes and they receive proceeds.

Transparent Process Auction marketing, competitive bidding, and documented results provide the transparency that courts, fiduciaries, and families need.

No Upfront Costs Marketing, advertising, labor, and sale coordination costs are covered by Hoffman Auctions and deducted from proceeds. Sellers pay nothing out of pocket to begin.

Experience with Court-Supervised Sales Nearly 25 years working with attorneys, executors, trustees, courts, and fiduciaries on estate settlements and court-ordered liquidations throughout Ohio.

Statewide Reach from Central Ohio Base Based in Central Ohio with the ability to conduct auctions throughout the state for estates, businesses, real estate, and specialty assets.

Making a Referral

Know someone in Ohio who needs auction services?

Call: (614) 314-0298
Email: info@HoffmanAuctions.com
Service Area: Central Ohio with statewide reach

You can share our contact information directly with them, or contact us with their information and we’ll follow up. We handle it from there.

Related Services

• Personal Property Auctions – Estate contents, collectibles, household goods
• Real Estate Auctions – Residential, farm, land, commercial properties
• Business Liquidations – Equipment, inventory, complete closures
• Court Ordered Auctions – Estate, trust, guardianship, bankruptcy sales
• Asset Appraisals – Professional valuations for estates, insurance, legal purposes
• Fundraising Auctions – Benefit auctions for nonprofits and charitable organizations