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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I have a curious case (are there any others?) in which I need an expert to opine on how auctions of real property work in Florida. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The basic facts are that there was a Seller who sold four adjoining beach-view condominiums at a <u>no-reserve auction</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>There were 37 registered bidders.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Each unit was sold separately; in other words, each unit was put up for auction after the previous one. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Prior to the sale of the first unit, the Seller signed a document permitting the auction to start.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>After the first unit was auctioned and the bidding closed on that unit, the Seller was required to sign a document accepting the sale price of the unit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>He was then required to sign another document to allow the second unit to proceed to auction. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>This was repeated for each unit until all four were auctioned off.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The auction company is not being sued and did nothing wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Years later, the Seller claimed in a lawsuit that he did not receive full value at the auctions because neighbors did something dastardly on the day of the auction that “chilled” the auction bidding; they put up for sale signs on their property hoping to attract buyers who might not have won at auction, but still wanted property in the development. The auctioneer has stated that he knew of the signs prior to the start of the auction. The Seller has testified that he knew of the signs prior to the start of the auction. The auctioneer has testified that such sign are a usual occurrence because homeowners, realtors and brokers see the advertising for the auction and attempt to piggyback on the traffic. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>What I need is a person who has knowledge of real property auctions, how they work, what the atmosphere is like, what the results usually are and the vagaries of the process. Anybody have a suggestion? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>As long as they hold a Florida Auction license, or have sold Florida property I am good with them. Preference would be if they have sold beachfront property or large, upscale properties.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Thank you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>You can respond directly to <a href="mailto:jeff@npw-law.com">jeff@npw-law.com</a> so as to not bore the other members.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#244061'>Jeffrey L. Price, Atty.<br>Florida Bar Board Certified in Construction Law<br></span><a href="http://npw-law.com"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:blue'>http://npw-law.com</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#244061'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#244061'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#244061'>Niesen|Price|Worthy|Campo|Frasier&Blakey, PA<br>5216 SW 91st Dr., Gainesville, FL 32608<br>Ph 352 373-9031 Fax 352 373-9099<br></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#244061'> <br>This message and any attachments are intended only for the individual to whom it is addressed. The contents are confidential and consist of privileged information. If you are neither the intended recipient nor the agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient you are hereby notified that possession and dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you feel you have received this communication in error please notify us immediately by returning this message to the sender and deleting it from your email. Thank You.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#244061'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>