Lifelong Auctioneer Lists Family Home for $1 Auction

Bernie Brzostek, a seasoned auctioneer who has conducted over 8,700 real estate and personal property auctions since 1973, is set to auction his own family home on October 11, 2026, at 1 p.m. After 53 years of working together in the auction business in upstate New York, Brzostek and his wife, Wendy, are planning to retire and relocate south to be closer to their four daughters and grandchildren. The couple has operated Brzostek's Real Estate Auction Co., holding auctions roughly every other day throughout their 50-plus-year marriage. Consequently, they have chosen to auction their own residence of over 35 years in Baldwinsville, New York, as they embark on this new chapter.

The reserve price, which is the minimum opening bid, has been set at a nominal $1. Brzostek expressed confidence in this unconventional selling method, stating, "I don’t worry about selling my house at auction." He further explained that selling a home via auction is essentially an accelerated process designed to achieve the highest market price in the shortest possible timeframe. Brzostek highlighted the success rate of his company, noting, "Since we have a 99% sell rate for our clients, why wouldn’t we subscribe to the same method when it comes to auctioning our home at an unreserved public auction?"

An unreserved public auction is characterized by the sale of the property to the highest bidder, irrespective of the final price achieved. While this method carries the highest risk for the seller, it is also known to attract a larger pool of buyers and frequently results in a selling price that exceeds initial expectations. In Brzostek's specific auction arrangements, the seller retains the right to reject a final bid if it is deemed insultingly low, though this action incurs a fee payable to the auctioneer. Brzostek elaborated on the marketing strategy, stating, "The unreserved auction method of marketing forces all potential buyers into the marketplace at once, whereupon they have to bid more than other qualified bidders, ultimately leading to the highest possible price."

Brzostek's Real Estate Auction Co. has been a fixture in the upstate New York auction scene for over five decades, specializing in both real estate and personal property. The company's consistent activity, with auctions occurring approximately every other day, underscores the Brzosteks' deep involvement in the industry. Their decision to retire and move south signifies a personal transition after a long and active career, with the auction of their home serving as a symbolic conclusion to their professional chapter in New York. The unusual starting bid of $1 is intended to generate significant interest and encourage broad participation in the auction.