REALTORS® are taking a second look at the Auction Method
Robert B. McArtor, REALTOR® with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. and Noted Real Estate Auctioneer in Maryland has been working with and educating Real Estate Agents on the Auction Method of Marketing since 1991. “It was tough in the beginning”, Robert explains the early days, “Why would an agent want to turn a client over to an Auctioneer? Don’t they just sell antiques, cars and furniture?”.
According to the National Association of Auctioneers, Residential real estate auctions continue to be one of the fastest growing segments of the live auction industry with an estimated growth of 3.1% since the end of the second quarter. Total real estate revenues for 2006 include: Residential Real Estate ($16.0 billion), Commercial/Industrial ($15.0 billion), and Land/Agricultural ($25.3 billion).
Now with a changing market, Auctions have become a popular method among aggressive sellers to sell their property. “This is certainly a win-win situation for everyone involved……Sellers need to sell their house, Agents want a commission, the Auctioneer utilizes the Auction Method to market the property and the entire process ends at the settlement table in less than 60 days.”
Robert McArtor has been Auctioning Real Estate since he was 21 years old. Now, at the age of 37, he is celebrating 16 years in the business and recently realized over $25 Million in sales in 2007 alone. “Between foreclosure auctions, home owner ordered sales, this has been a very busy year………we are expecting to see a tremendous rise in auctions through-out the Baltimore-Metro area.” Mr. McArtor says that more and more Sellers are frustrated with the lack of Buyers in the market place and are looking for a quick sale. With the Auction Method, the Seller can sell their home in “As-Is” condition with a non-contingent contract, eliminate high carrying costs and settle in as little as 30 days. “I love explaining the Auction Method to Realtors®. Once they have the knowledge, it’s simply a matter of suggesting an Auction to a qualified client”. Robert goes on to say, “The fact that I am also a REALTOR® and subscribe to a Strict Code of Ethics makes the Real Estate Practitioner and Client feel comfortable…..this is just an additional marketing tool the agent can use and get PAID to use it!”
Robert B. McArtor can be reached through his website, http://www.mdauctionsales.com/ or Directly at
