Real Estate Auction Roundup

By William Flood 

 Illinois

Hancock County – On Oct. 29, Sullivan Auctioneers conducted a live online auction of 29.04 surveyed acres offered as a single tract. Approximately 4 acres were in row-crop production, with the rest in mature hardwood. Soils were primarily Rozetta silt loam, with recent average yields indicating 159.1 bu./acre for corn and 49.5 bu./acre for soybeans. The wooded acreage and hidden field offered wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, including hunting for Native American artifacts. The tillable ground could be converted to a secluded food plot. An older two-story country home in need of major repairs was present, along with three outbuildings. Utilities were available, creating potential building sites along the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It sold for $191,664 ($6,600/acre).

Macomb – On Oct. 17, Wheeler Auctions and Real Estate auctioned a 15-acre country property, with a residence, pasture, and mature timber, minutes from Macomb. The two-story 2-3 bedroom, 1,900-square-foot home was serviced by rural water, McDonough Power, and LP gas. Frontage was along E. 850th Street. Outbuildings included a machine shed with a 70-by-36-foot utility portion with concrete floors, 110-volt electric, and shop sink, astride a 630-square-foot efficiency apartment with a sunroom. Additional outbuildings included: a machine shed with a 13-by-12-foot sliding barn door, a 10-by-9-foot garage door with electric opener, a 40-by-32-foot machine storage area with partial concrete flooring, a 10-by-10-foot sliding barn door, a 7-by-8-foot garage door, and a walk-through door; a 24-by-20-foot Coach House garage with a 16-by-7-foot overhead door with electric opener and walk-through door; a 20-by-30-foot metal storage building with a concrete floor and 8-by-10-foot barn doors. The level property offered potential for a hobby farm, livestock or recreation. The sale included all mineral rights. It sold for $275,000.

Indiana

Kendallville - Kraft Auction Service conducted an online-only auction on Oct. 16 of a historic 1913 Carnegie Library building, one of 1,679 libraries built by Andrew Carnegie. It served as Kendallville’s first public library until 1968, then used as space for a law office, architecture firm, vintage store and an art gallery. The building contained 4,000+ square feet on two floors and had a full basement. Features included a fieldstone exterior, grand entryway, library room with built-in bookcases, soaring ceilings, intricate ironwork, and original wood details. Recent updates included two high-efficiency furnaces and two air-conditioning units. Multiple work and living spaces were possible on both the main and lower levels. Bidding opened at $99,900 and finished at $146,000.

Vincennes – On Oct. 27, Schrader Real Estate and Auction Co. offered 331+/- acres (270+/- tillable) in three tracts, with one mile of frontage along the Wabash River, a 4+/- acre lake, and a pole building. Tract 1 consisted of 165+/- acres (153.7+/- cropland in two large fields), primarily in Petrolia, Nolin and Haymond soils. The large tract offered potential for center-pivot irrigation. Tract 2 had 38+/- acres (26.2+/- cropland), predominantly in Haymond and Petrolia soils, with the remaining offering waterfowl and recreational opportunities. Tract 3 consisted of 128+/- acres (89+/- cropland), also primarily in Haymond and Petrolia soils. The remaining acreage held a 30-by-40-foot pole building with concrete floor, suitable for equipment or recreational vehicle storage, a 4+/- acre lake, and woods, providing recreational appeal. Tract 1 sold for $1,160,000 (7,030/acre). Tracts 2 and 3 sold together for $660,000 (3,976/acre).

Kentucky

Owensboro – On Oct. 22, Kurtz Auction and Realty auctioned 47.983 newly surveyed acres, zoned AU, located near the Highway 54 corridor. The property offered approximately 30 acres of gently-rolling tillable cropland, predominantly in Belknap, Hosmer and Bonnie silt loams. There was 194.76 feet of frontage on Wellness Drive, providing potential for building sites or development. It sold for $626,178 ($13,050/acre)

Sterling – Noel Auctioneers and Real Estate Advisors conducted an absolute onsite auction with online bidding on Oct. 10 for 479.99+/- acres of farmland, offered in three tracts. Tract 1 consisted of a 225.107-acre “headquarters farm” with access to U.S. 460. Tract 2 had 253.60 acres of farmland, also with access to U.S. 460. Tract 3 was 1.283 acres with a 1,167-square-foot double-wide 3-bedroom/2-bath trailer, with frontage on U.S. 460. Tract 1 sold for $970,000 ($4,309/acre), Tract 2 for $1,020,000 ($4,022/acre), and Tract 3 for $117,000.

Michigan

Denmark Township – On Oct. 13, Albrecht Auction Service presented 78.39+/- acres of tiled farmland (75.8+/- tillable). The vacant property had 991 feet of frontage on M-81/W (Caro Road) and was enrolled in a PA 116 Farmland Development Rights Agreement. A building site, with 179 feet of road frontage and a depth of 210 feet between two houses, was excluded from the agreement. Soils were primarily Tappan-Londo loam, Avoca loamy fine sand and Essexville loamy fine sand. The land was available to farm following this year’s harvest. It sold for $735,000 ($9,697/acre).

Leonidas – Bright Star Real Estate Services conducted a live auction Oct. 20 of a homestead, storefront and land totaling 42.6+/- acres across four parcels. Parcel 1 held 15+/- acres, including tillable land and a 6-bedroom/2-bath home. The home featured two wood stoves, concrete basement walls, an updated metal roof, private well and septic, but no electric service. Additional improvements included a 40-by-56-foot barn set up for a baking operation, with a finished interior, concrete floors, heat, gas, water and septic. The building offered potential for church use. Other buildings included: a 32-by-60-foot calf barn with concrete floor; a 32-by-70-foot barn; a 20-by-30-foot chicken house; a 24-by-24-foot detached garage with concrete floor; and a 10-by-16-foot shed. Parcel 2 had 9+/- acres of tillable land, requiring purchase by the buyer of Parcel 1, Parcel 3, or an adjacent landowner. Parcel 3 was 15+/- acres of tillable land, woods, and a small pond, with a 66-foot easement along its south side. Parcel 4 was 3.51 acres with a 36-by-72-foot storefront, with a fully operating retail business with coolers, separate electric, propane heat, water, septic and sewer service, and could be converted to a residence. The four parcels sold together for $662,000.

Ohio

Farmdale – RES Auction Services conducted a live auction Oct. 17 of a well-maintained 53.95-acre gentleman’s farm. The property included fenced and pastured acreage, a farmhouse, and several outbuildings. The two-story 3-4 bedroom/1.5 bath, 1,852-square-foot farmhouse was built in 1926, which needed updating but was in good overall condition. It was served by Eastern National Gas, had two fuel tanks from Lyden Oil, a whole-house generator, and Nature Stone flooring in the basement. Outbuildings included: a bank barn with an attached 50-by-40-foot riding arena and horse stalls; a 60-by-32-foot barn with concrete flooring; and a 50-by-32-foot pole barn with a lean-to and partial concrete flooring. Water lines and watering systems extended to the rear fenced pastures, with two dry lots behind the arena. The property was enrolled in a Western Reserve Land Conservancy conservation easement, with the land designated for agricultural purposes. Farm equipment was sold separately. The property sold for $480,000.

New Carlisle – On Oct. 14, Harvey+ conducted an online-only auction, with reserve, of 42.96+/- acres offered as a single tract. The property had frontage along Ballentine Pike (New Carlisle-St. Paris Road) and Short Road. It included 33.34 FSA tillable acres, with Miamian and Celina soil profiles, and an older bank barn. It sold for $520,000.