The best Iowa Auctioneers, or at least those competing to be the best Iowa auctioneer this year will all come together on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 in Des Moines, Iowa to compete against each other in a bid calling championship. On February 2, 2008 in Des Moines, Iowa 30 contestants competed at the annual Iowa Auctioneers Association convention and the field was narrowed to 20 auctioneers that would move on to the state final.

• Scott Stutzman - Mt. Ayr, IA
• Leroy Hoffman - Titonka, IA
• Steve Maynes - DeSoto, IA
• Steve Gaul - Hawarden, IA
• Jason Knapp - Cedar Rapids, IA
• Jeffery Craun - Boone, IA
• David Wendt - Des Moines, IA
• Ben Hollesen - Sioux Rapids, IA
• Emily Wears - Solon, IA
• Jeremy Clay - Maryville, MO
• Craig Hilpipre - Cedar Falls, IA
• Gary A. Littrel - Bettendorf, IA
• Chris Richard - Mt. Pleasant, IA
• Larry Sears - Grinnell, IA
• J.J. Wise - Manly, IA
• Brent McCall - Onawa, IA
• R.J. Brinkmeyer - Hubbard, IA
• Randy Stabe - Merrill, IA
• Chad Shepard - Waterloo, IA
• Eron Prevo - Bloomfield, IA

The state final to determine this years best Iowa Auctioneer will be held at the Iowa State Fair.  In reality it doesn't make them the best Iowa Auctioneer but the state champion bid caller for the year, who will then represent the Iowa Auctioneers Association at events and functions throughout the year.  Those competing in the competition do put a great deal of work and practice into their bid calling and with the enthusiasm and dedication of an Olympic athlete they practice day and night.  If you want to see something new at this years state fair I hope you'll come out and have a great time with us there.

My Website: Iowa Auctioneer and Iowa Land For Sale

Western Iowa Land Auction

Yesterday I was able to attend the large land auction in Monona County in western Iowa conducted by Ed Spencer.  The land up for auction in this case was a of some historical value and a well known local operation.  The large 560 acre feedlot had originally been built by the Hanson family and was later purchased by the Johnson family.  The land auction was held at Moorhead Iowa while the location of the land was near Turin Iowa. 

With many local folks in attendance, many of them to see who would purchase the farm and what the land would be valued at by the end of the auction.   Many stories were shared about the old farm and especially the number of head they used to run in the feed lots.  Even today it would be considered a large operation. 

Bidding on the land started around $1500 per acre.  The farm was sold based on a taxable acres of 554.81 with all of the structures and infrastructure to go with the property.  It was all set up and ready to recieve a new cattle operation that very day, in fact the buyer would be allowed to place cattle on the property after signing the purchase agreement after the sale.  That was very generous of the sellers, and in addition the sellers were also throwing the 95 acres of corn crop in with the sale. 

By the time bidding stopped the last bid was $2200 per acre for a sale price of $1,220,582 which was right where I thought it would land in the end. 

If you are thinking of selling a farm or land in Iowa give us a call today to discuss it.  We sell Iowa farms and land and they are in demand today. Visit our Iowa Farm and Land website for more information on farm and land auctions in Iowa.  While you may be tempted to accept an offer from a neighbor for the ease of "not dealing with it" I'm sure you won't realize a higher price than with a live public auction.  Auctioneers more than pay for themselves and can put more money in your pocket. 

Residential real estate auction revenue increase 5.3% despite housing market downturn

Overland Park, KS - In 2007 the gross revenue from goods and services sold at live auction grew 5.3% to $270.7 billion. In 2006, the auction industry sold $257.2 billion in goods and services at auction, an increase of 7.1% from 2005. The annual report was compiled by Morpace, Inc. on behalf of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) which surveys auction professionals to determine the state of the industry, as well as track key auction specialties within the industry.

While traditional real estate professionals continue to face the challenges of a housing market downturn, the real estate auction market continues to be one of the fastest growing auction sectors generating $58.4 billion in 2007. Within the real estate segment (i.e. residential, land/agricultural, commercial/industrial), residential real estate auctions witnessed the largest growth, increasing 5.3% from 2006. Accounting for 32% of the total live auction industry, automobile auctions continue to be the largest sector of the industry generating $87.8 billion in sales. Charity auction revenue grew from $15.6 billion in 2006, to $16.2 billion in 2007, an increase of 4.1%. The overall number of live auctions conducted in 2007 increased by 4.6%.

"The live auction industry continues to grow at an amazing pace," said NAA president Tommy Williams, CAI. "More and more consumers are realizing the benefits of buying and selling at live auction. Consumers are now buying or selling their homes, purchasing art and antiques, or raising capital for charitable causes through auctions."

To assist consumers interested in real estate auctions, the NAA launched the first real estate auction multiple listing service (MLS) in 2007. Prospective bidders from across the world can access http://www.auctionmls.com/ to view upcoming real estate auctions ranging from residential, to farm/agricultural real estate. In addition to launching the first auction MLS, the NAA partnered with the Auction Network to develop the first 24/7 multi-media network devoted to the auction industry. Everyone from the enthusiast to the casual bidder can participate real-time in a wide variety of auctions taking place worldwide by visiting http://www.auctionnetwork.com/.

** Article taken from the National Auctioneers Association 1/23/08 News Release ** About the NAAHeadquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) represents the interests of approximately 6,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology. In 2007, the auction industry grew by 5.3% with over $270 billion in goods and services sold. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: http://www.auctioneers.org/.

For information on real estate auctions in Iowa visit our Iowa Real Estate Auctioneer website to learn about auctions or to book your auction.