Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about selling, buying, and working with Will Evans and Auction Ohio Real Estate, organized by who's asking.
Getting Started
General Questions
Is Will Evans really a licensed Realtor® and auctioneer?
Yes. Will holds an active Ohio real estate license and is a licensed auctioneer, working with Auction Ohio Real Estate. That dual license matters because the same person handling your marketing and bidding process is also bound by Realtor® fiduciary and disclosure standards, not just auction-house terms and conditions.
Does auction only work for land and farms?
No. Auction works for any real estate that's hard to price, needs to sell on a set timeline, or would benefit from competitive bidding: single family homes, multifamily and investment property, commercial buildings, and one-of-a-kind properties that don't fit a normal comp sheet, in addition to farmland and vacant land.
What counties do you serve?
The core service area is Delaware, Marion, Union, Morrow, Knox, and Franklin counties in Central Ohio. Auction marketing itself isn't limited by county lines (bidders regularly register from well beyond the local area) so if your property sits just outside these six, it's worth a call rather than assuming it's out of range. See Reach out and we will take a look →
Is there a cost or obligation to get a valuation?
No. A valuation call is a straightforward conversation about your property and your timeline, and you'll get an honest answer about whether auction or a traditional listing actually serves you better, including a recommendation against auction if that's the right call for your situation.
For Sellers
Selling Your Property
How is this different from just listing my property?
A traditional listing asks a single buyer to accept your price and then negotiates it down. An auction puts every registered bidder in competition for the same property on the same day, which tends to push the price toward what the market will actually bear. The full comparison on timeline, contingencies, and commission is on the How Auctions Work page.
What if my property has a tenant or an active lease?
It can still sell at auction. The lease terms are disclosed to bidders in advance, prorated at closing, and factored into how the property is marketed: this comes up often on farmland with a cash-rent tenant in place.
I'm behind on payments or worried about foreclosure; is there still time to sell?
Often, yes, but timing matters and it's worth a call as soon as the concern comes up rather than waiting. Auction's fixed 30-day marketing period and firm closing date can move faster than a traditional sale in exactly this kind of situation.
Do I have to fix anything up before selling?
No. Every property sells as-is. Known condition issues are disclosed to bidders up front instead of negotiated after an inspection, so there's no repair list to work through before closing.
Is my situation kept confidential?
Yes. Reserve amounts, personal circumstances, and financial details are never shared publicly: bidders see the property, the terms, and the marketing package, not the seller's reasons for selling.
Attorneys, Executors & Special Situations
Probate, Estates & Legal Sales
Does a probate sale require court approval?
It depends on the estate and whether you're an executor or an administrator. Some estates require court confirmation of a sale, others don't. Will works directly with the estate attorney to confirm what's required before marketing begins, so there are no surprises partway through.
Can you work directly with our estate attorney instead of the family?
Yes, and in most probate and estate sales that's exactly how it works: Will coordinates directly with the attorney and executor/administrator on timeline, disclosures, and required documentation, while keeping the family informed.
What if the heirs don't agree on whether to sell, or how?
This comes up often, and it's a large part of why auction fits probate sales well: a transparent, competitive process with a fixed date gives every heir the same visibility into the outcome, rather than one person negotiating a private deal.
Do you handle properties that don't fit a normal category: a church, an odd mixed-use building, something with no clean comps?
Yes. These are handled as unique or hard-to-comp properties, valued against comparable auction results and redevelopment potential rather than a standard per-square-foot comp, since a conventional appraisal often can't price them accurately.
For Buyers
Buying at Auction
How do I register to bid?
Two steps, and they are easy to confuse. First, create an account on the Auction Ohio Real Estate site: name, email, and a credit card on file. The card is not charged, it is a fraud check, so the name on it has to match the name on your account.
Second, register for the specific auction you want to bid on. You do this once per sale, and having an account does not register you. Open the auction, log in, and the first time you click a bid button it brings up that auction's terms rather than placing a bid. Agree to them, sign, and you are cleared to bid on that auction. Depending on the property, proof of funds or a pre-qualification may also be required, and details are posted on each listing.
Full step-by-step on the How Auctions Work page, or watch Will walk through it →
Is bidding online, in person, or both?
Most auctions run entirely online through a set bidding window. Some larger or higher-profile sales run as a live and online hybrid, with an auctioneer calling the sale in person while remote bidders compete alongside the room.
Is there a buyer's premium?
Yes, on most sales. A percentage is added to the winning bid to form the total purchase price: this is how commission is typically funded, which is also why most sellers pay none. The exact percentage is stated on each auction's terms.
Can I finance a property I win at auction?
The sale itself isn't contingent on financing: you'll need funding arranged or a strong path to it before you bid, since the purchase agreement and earnest money deposit are due immediately after the auction closes.