Key Takeaways: Unique, custom-built homes rarely have a direct market comparable, which can make them difficult to price through a traditional sale. A real estate auction solves this by bringing all serious buyers to the table at once, letting competitive bidding set the true market value. That’s exactly what happened when the Wilhelm family trusted KIKO to sell their one-of-a-kind timber frame home on 7.9 acres in Twinsburg, Ohio, for $1,375,000.

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Why Does Premier Real Estate Sell Best at Auction?

Truly unique homes present an opportunity for sellers. When there is often no comparable sale to point to when setting a price, an auction lets competitive bidding from multiple potential buyers establish the property’s true market value. These premier properties can benefit from the real estate auction method.

That was the case for the Dean and Diane Wilhelm family.

Set on a sprawling 7.9 acres, their property features a beautiful timber frame home built in 1995 and offering 5,500+ square feet of thoughtfully designed living space across three fully finished levels.

Conveniently located close to Twinsburg and Hudson, this home offers the peace and privacy of country living without sacrificing accessibility. A beautiful deck overlooks Tinkers Creek, which meanders through the property.  

The estate’s history adds even more character. It includes an 1818 bank barn from the historic Ethan Alling Twinsburg Homestead — built by Twinsburg’s first settler, who arrived from Connecticut in 1817. Over the years, the Wilhelms shared the property with their community, hosting weddings, hog roasts, and a stop on the Twinsburg Garden Club’s Biennial Garden Tour.

Why Did the Wilhelm Family Choose a KIKO Real Estate Auction?

Dean Wilhelm had been a KIKO customer for years and had seen the company’s experience, care, and results firsthand. A few years ago, the family worked with KIKO on a contents auction to sell automotive memorabilia, gas pumps, antiques, and other collectibles from the barn – with one gas pump bringing over $7,400.

When it came time to sell the real estate, Dean didn’t hesitate.

“Our client Dean had a great KIKO auction experience,” said Ashley Ritchey, KIKO Auctioneer/Realtor who has managed the family’s sales for several years. “When it came time to sell the real estate property, Dean told his son, Doug, to contact us. He loved auctions and believed it was the only way to sell a unique property like his.”

Dean passed away just a few weeks before the auction, leaving his son Doug to see his father’s wishes through. Doug worked closely with Ashley Ritchey and Eric Bevington, who guided the family through what could have been a complex and emotional sale.

For families searching for auctioneers who understand both the real estate and the relationships behind it, the Wilhelm sale is a clear example of what that partnership looks like in practice. “Ashley and Eric were super,” said Seller Doug Wilhelm. “It was my dad’s wish to auction his home, and he used KIKO in the past and always was really happy with them, so it was the only thing we considered.”

How Does Competitive Bidding Deliver Results on Auction Day?

The real estate auction generated significant interest well before bidding ever opened. More than 100 people attended the pre-auction open houses, and 55 registered bidders came ready to compete on auction day. Both in-person and online simulcast bidders vied for the chance to own 7.9 manicured acres and a truly custom timber frame home.

That competition paid off: the property sold for $1,375,000. Following the real estate sale, KIKO also conducted a second online auction to sell the remaining home contents, giving the family a complete, streamlined path from start to finish.

An auction draws a large pool of qualified, motivated bidders to compete for the property on the same day. That competition — not a static asking price — establishes true market value. For premier real estate and other one-of-a-kind properties, auctions consistently deliver strong, market-driven results in a defined timeframe. “If you decide an auction is the way to go,” Doug added, “you can’t do any better than KIKO.”