The Weather Authority
Currents
Doppler Radar
7-Day
WOWT.com on Demand
  • 6 On Your Cell
  • RSS Feeds
  • Desktop Alert
  • Text Alerts
  • Daily E-News
  • What’s on 6
  • Children's Programming Changes
    YouCast - Submit Pics and Video
    Watch NBC Shows Online
    MarketPlace
  • Restaurants
  • Go Green!
  • Auto Map
  • Business Connections
  • Financial Advice
  • Legal Advice
  • New Home Listings
  • Your Home, Your Investment
  • Entertainment
  • Recipes
  • Jobs
  • The Wedding Planner
  • Martha's Tip of the Day
  • Advertise With WOWT
  • Auction Gets Home Sold Save Email Print
    Neighbors win the bidding
    Posted: 10:03 PM Jul 24, 2008
    Last Updated: 1:02 AM Jul 25, 2008

    A | A | A

    For Sale signs can linger in a bad housing market like the one we're in now. That was the case for a home at 52nd and Dodge but an auctioneer moved the property in minutes on Thursday.

    The home carries a nickname for some Dundee neighbors: the pineapple place.

    Seller Linda Wilson says, "People were thinking if we wait a little longer, we wait a little longer, we wait a little longer... Well that's difficult because my husband is retiring in a month."

    The home had been on the market for nearly five months. Then they turned to auctioneer Richard Purchas, with CBS Home.

    Nancy Hedegaarg of Underwood, Iowa said , "You could come away with a good deal."

    Purchas says, "There has been a myth in the past that auctions are for distressed homes or distressed people. They're not. It's just a different way to market a house."

    The bidding started at $250,000.

    "Don't think of the reasons why you shouldn't buy," Purchas said. "Think of the reasons you should."

    The home is appraised at $374,000.

    Out of the more than 100 who came out Thursday, three couples bid. The winning bid was $308,000, from owners who currently live just a few houses away.

    It took about 20 minutes for Brian and Teri Williams to buy their dream home.

    Brian says, "If you'd try to build a house like this in west Omaha, this is a million dollar house in west Omaha."

    While they acquired their "million dollar home" appraised at $374,000 with a bid of $308,000 -- it was for sale a month ago priced at $280,000.

    Brian and Teri will close on the home in August but now they need to sell their current Dundee home. So far they say they are not leaning toward an auction.

    The sellers did have a safety valve on Thursday. If a certain price had not be reached in the bidding, the house would still be for sale.

    More Stories
    4 Arrested in Armed Robbery

    Bold Move by Federal Reserve

    Paypal Layoffs

    Two More Left Under Safe Haven

    Three In-Custody in Lincoln Bank Robbery

    Water Main Break Closes School

    Short Cut Cut Off

    Nader Coming to Omaha

    Post Your Comments
    First Name:
    Location:
    Enter Comments: characters left
    Email (optional):
    Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
    Read Comments
    Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 27, 2008 at 03:11 PM
    Seems to me that both the buyer and seller are happy. Selling through auction simply ensured the sale took place quickly on a set date rather than going through a prolonged (and often emotional) session of negotiation. Good result all round!

    Posted by: alyssa on Jul 25, 2008 at 10:56 PM
    ok well i personally know the Williams family who bought the house. I am thier oldest daughters best friend. Personally the house was in the same area, but they wanted a house that could fit all of their kids and have even more space. When they saw the house was for sale they fell in love with it and had to have it!!I am glad they got the house!

    Posted by: Mike on Jul 25, 2008 at 08:42 PM
    That's the beauty of selling anything by auction - it forces buyers to make a decision on whether or not they want it, and if so, they must compete for it. This gets the seller the highest price the market will bear (in this instance 10% over their listed price). And there is no down-side since they pre-specify the minimum bid they will accept. I'm sure this method of selling will be used more and more!

    Posted by: Richard on Jul 25, 2008 at 06:40 PM
    The joint forces of competition and imposing a deadline can work fantasticly well to create a successful result. More people who want to sell their homes in 30 days instead of 12 months should consider it.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 25, 2008 at 03:22 PM
    What a bargain. Hey, I'm listing my home for $290,000 through my realtor. Anyone will to pay $320,000? Let me know!

    Posted by: Crystal on Jul 25, 2008 at 03:17 PM
    Congrats to the Williams!!! Love Ya, Crystal

    Posted by: T on Jul 25, 2008 at 03:09 PM
    That is what I am saying!! WHAT?? The people should do the right thing and lower it back down to where they had listed it at!!

    Posted by: jjj on Jul 25, 2008 at 01:05 PM
    When I was little we always said that a witch lived there because its so dark, think vegetation & like a fortress.

    Posted by: DDB on Jul 25, 2008 at 08:33 AM
    This couple paid more than the previously listed price and they live right down the street from the place? WHAT?

    Desktop Weather
  • Video: Hour-by-Hour Forecast Updates
  • AP Online Network
    Health News
  • Family Health
  • Health Check
  • Kids Corner
  • Channel 6 News Features






  • Heartland's Most Wanted
  • Product Recalls

  • Media Partners