Estate Auctions Vs. Estate Sales: Why an Estate Auction is a Smarter Choice for Mid-Missouri Families

Atterberry Auction • September 4, 2025

Is It Easier to Sell Property in Central Missouri Through an Online Estate Auction? See How Atterberry Auction & Realty Company Can Facilitate the Sales Process


Whether you’re preparing to sell a home or looking for a successful return on investment, planning an estate auction in Missouri is one of the wisest decisions you can make. However, the team you work with is just as important as the other features of your future auction.

At Atterberry Auction & Realty Company, our full-service team has more than 55 years of auctioning experience, a state-of-the-art headquarters for storing property, and a caring team of realtors, licensed real estate brokers, marketing specialists, and more. If anybody is an expert on the benefits that estate auctions can bring, it’s our dedicated auctioneers in Columbia, MO. Continue along and consider selling your personal property in an auction instead of hassling with an estate sale.


The Difference Between an Estate Sale & an Estate Auction in Mid-Missouri 


An estate sale functions similarly to a garage sale, except you are selling items from multiple areas of the house in order to sell as much as possible. Public passersby can view the property and inspect items like family heirlooms, antiques, furniture, and more. The sellers typically list a property price ahead of time and lower the amount as more time passes without a sale. 

In contrast, an auction usually sets a minimum bidding price on items, and most if not all of the property is sold in one day. When working with an auctioneer, you will schedule a date and time for people to bid on all of your personal property online. Bidders from all around can visit your listing and take interest in the items you have posted. Whoever bids the highest on a given item becomes the new owner.

LEARN MORE

The Benefits of Scheduling an Estate Auction Over an Estate Sale in Mid-MO


You’ll sell everything in the quick timespan you need


If you’re trying to sell a large amount of property, you are likely operating on a time crunch. With an estate sale, many days can pass before there are any takers. On the other hand, an estate auction is advertised online for up to two weeks, and comes with a firm end date. Most of the time before the auction ends is spent preparing for the final bidding date, advertising your property, and grabbing the attention of local or national buyers. Every item is a treasure to somebody out there, whether they have a passion for coins, hunting equipment, historical goods, collectibles, antiques, or more. After the auction ends, customers pick up their items or we ship the items directly to them and you receive a check from Atterberry Auction & Realty Company for the entire personal property auction sale. 


With Atterberry Auction & Realty Company, you don’t have to worry about hagglers at your mid-MO estate auction


Another frustrating downside to estate sales in mid-Missouri is the patrons who may attempt to bargain with you. While some professional estate sellers can help in negotiating with buyers, they don’t have a strict code of ethics and can only take you so far. At Atterberry Auction & Realty Company, your property will be sold as-is with no haggling! Once everything is ready, the final prices will be determined online when the auction takes place and is open to the public.


Competitive bidding could bring you more financial opportunities in central Missouri


The most nerve-wracking aspect of an estate sale is that you can’t fully predict how much buyers are willing to pay. Nobody wants to come up short and miss out on the true value of their sold items. This isn’t the case when you trust an auctioneer of our caliber to sell your personal property at auction! We attract many interested parties to join a single auction and discover who’s willing to pay the most in a competitive setting. This is known as the reserve price. Whether the current economy is booming or moving slowly, estate auctions steadily deliver amazing results for families. Selling your items for their true market value or potentially more is a likelihood with Atterberry Auction & Realty Company because our online auctions move fast and reach a wide network of bidders across the country. Know your property’s worth and earn what you deserve!


A team of mid-MO auctioneers, realtors & personal property managers can guide you through a successful estate auction, so you’re never alone in the process 


From beginning to end, selling items in mid-Missouri can get complicated, especially if you’re facing it alone without an advocate. You want to feel confident, secure, and informed while you organize your sale, and nothing beats the dependability of an auction company. These teams include more than the auctioneer overseeing your online auction; it’s a full system of personal property coordinators, advertising and communication experts, and more. We work together to effectively campaign your mid-MO estate auction and pull audiences in long before your auction date. 


First, you’ll meet the professionals at Atterberry Auction & Realty Company and share more details about your collections. When the date of the auction is set, our marketing specialists will take pictures of the property, promoting it across social media and sending out emails, as well as online ads. We’ll also handle delivering the products, if they can be shipped via FedEx, UPS, or USPS, after a new buyer is confirmed. 


Make a Decision for Your Personal Property in Mid-Missouri By Contacting Atterberry Auction & Realty Company


Choosing what’s best for your real estate and personal property is also choosing what’s best for your family. Since day one, our mid-Missouri auction company has prioritized helping local residents find and sell what they need to progress to another chapter of their lives. At Atterbery Auction & Realty Company, your estate auction will be streamlined and rewarding. When you’re ready to sell the house, we can help you set up your real estate auction as well. Give us a call today and begin planning your Columbia, MO estate auction!

START WITH ATTERBERRY
Buy & Sell Your Home At Auction With Atterberry Auction & Realty Company.
By Atterberry Auction February 11, 2026
Thinking about selling a home in Columbia, MO this winter? Learn why a real estate auction can be a smart option and how Atterberry Auction & Realty Company helps sellers navigate winter sales.
Considering Downsizing? Contact Atterberry Auction For Your Real Estate & Personal Property Auctions
By Atterberry Auction February 10, 2026
Not sure how to talk about downsizing with aging parents? Learn how families in Columbia, MO can start the conversation without pressure, guilt or urgency.
From Dishes to Antique Rugs, Atterberry Knows What Vintage Items People Are Buying in 2026
By Atterberry Auction & Realty Company January 21, 2026
Do You Have Antiques to Sell Online? Build Your Strategy With Atterberry Auction & Realty Company in Missouri.
Contact Atterberry Auction & Realty Company For Your Real Estate Needs Today!
By Laura Wagner January 7, 2026
Learn what mid-Missouri real estate sellers can expect in 2026, backed by Atterberry’s 11.7M in 2025 sales and trends across land, estates, and rural homes.
Choose Atterberry Auction & Realty Company To Sell Your Home, Land & Property.
By Tim Elliott January 6, 2026
Learn when auctions outperform traditional listings for sellers in mid-Missouri. Discover how land, estates and unique properties benefit from competitive bidding.
Atterberry Auction & Realty Company Delivers Auction Success With Digital Marketing
By Sarah Stoops December 29, 2025
Learn how Atterberry’s 2025 marketing performance reveals buyer behavior across mid-Missouri and why strong digital marketing drives better auction results.
Contact Atterberry Auction & Realty Company For Your Real Estate Needs In 2026!
By Sarah Carnes December 23, 2025
Atterberry Auction & Realty Company closed over $12M in real estate sales across mid-Missouri in 2025. Explore our proven auction results.
Atterberry Auction Supports Mid-Missouri Non-Profits, Education & Athletics
By Sarah Stoops December 11, 2025
Discover how Atterberry Auction supports the mid-Missouri community through nonprofit partnerships, sponsorships and local fundraising across Columbia, MO and beyond.
Follow These Tips for Bidding Online With Atterberry Auction & Realty Company in Missouri
By Atterberry Auction & Realty Company December 8, 2025
How Can You Make a Successful Bid in Missouri? Learn More About Online Auctions With Atterberry Auction & Realty Company.