Ray Carman – Auctioneer

I know there is alot of talk about the economy and how “bad” things are. Retail stores are wrestling with what to do and how to survive. Some places are having to shut down. People are looking jobs. There is uncertainty in the Real Estate Market. Things shift daily. But in the midst of it all, there is still a shining star, AUCTIONS!

I will be the first to admit that I am a little fish in a large sea when it comes to the whole of the world. Each persons worldview is skewed by their current surroundings. But I want to share with you what I have seen over the past few months.

In May, we had an auction on some Caney Fork River property. To be honest, everyone was a little concerned about how it would go, including us. On the day of the auction sale, we were nervous when at 9:30 (sale was scheduled to start at 10), there was only a hand full of people. Nerves were on edge for sure. As the crew gathered for prayer just minutes before the auction began, something happened, and as we emerged, the tent was bursting with people anxious to buy. Then, a farm we were hoping would bring $600k brought $892,000! And the crowd was amazing.

Then, this past Saturday, July 10th, 2010, we were scheduled to have an estate auction in Portland TN. Involved were 2 houses, some collector classic cars, old toys, guns, and normal household furniture and tools. We (all the auctioneers locally) will be the first to admit that things are somewhat down in pricing) and I was expecting 70 or so people to attend. At auction time, we were bursting at the seams and more than 150 individuals had come to be a part of the auction. Both the houses exceeded expectations, as did the vehicles.   And what might even be more surprising, was that a tonka toy truck, complete with its original box, brought over $300! And again, the crowd was great, and bidding went very well.

All that to say, Auctions are still drawing out the crowds and doing well, and here is why:

1. It is a one day opportunity to buy the marketed item. By putting it on the “block,” buyers must decide quickly if they are in or out. They do not have the luxury of waiting and thinking it over.

2.  People are forced to compete, and by nature, we are a competitive race and everyone wants to “win.” This allows for good prices to still be obtained.

If you have an estate, or Real Estate you want to see moved, speaking to an Auctioneer may be a good conversation to have. You never know, it may just be the method of marketing you need to see the results you are seeking!

Ray Carman, Auctioneer with Gene Carman Real Estate and Auction

This past week I was given the opportunity to share a 10 minute presentation on our company and what we do. As a part of this presentation, I was able to share briefly why our company is a great choice for your auction needs. I wanted to briefly share the three main reasons here and why it is important to the client choosing an Auctioneer.

1. Family Owned Business operating since 1910. Yes, we have 100 years as a family in the Auction Industry in Tennessee and Kentucky. Why is that important? Because it has now led us to having 9 full time auctioneers in the family, a large crew of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandkids that all work together for you. This allows us to service any and all auction needs with great experience and professionalism.

2. A company you can Depend on, Rely on, and Trust in. Our foundations were laid on Honesty and Integrity. We strive to give the most professional service that is backed with a person you can trust in. If you do not have faith that the auctioneer is working for you and not just the commission check, then it is going to be a very difficult journey. However, at Gene Carman, our goal is to not only do our job, but form a reliable relationship with our clients.

3. A company that will WORK. Yes, it is amazing how many times you run into a situation where an auctioneer would like to sell your valuable assets ( Real Estate ), but really would rather not “mess with” you personal property you have to liquidate. Yes, I admit, it is VERY hard work and requires many hours of preparation and back labor, but it is YOUR merchandise and it deserves just as much work as your Real Estate as well. With our large family, we know what the work is like, and we are not afraid to dig in and get it done.

4. Passion. We simply love what we have been given to do and we love working for/with people. This is not just a job or a career, it is what we ENJOY doing.

If we can ever be of service to you or someone you know in any way, please let us know.

Ray Carman

Yes, it is unbelievable that our family has been blessed to have the honor of serving Middle TN and Southern KY in the auction industry for 100 years. All starting with my Great Grandfather, Jim Carman, when in 1910 he answered the need for an auctioneer in his home county of Trousdale. What started as a willingness to help a neighbor and friend turned into of  the longest lasting family heritages in the business today.

I cannot remember a time when auctions were not a part of my life, including the day I was born, Saturday, Dec 13th, 1975. My father, Harold Gene Carman Jr, was off with the other family members conducting an auction in Macon Co when I decided it was time to arrive. My mother had to send for my father who came and off we were to the hospital. Ever since that day, I have been connected to auctions. From working at them since the age of five, to having my very first auction in the  mid 1990’s, to brokering and conducting an auction on my very own wedding day, April 8th, 2000. We even had snow that day and the hired photographer got a picture of my wife calling me to ask if I was coming, cause I was running a little late (30 minutes) due to the successful auction and following paperwork. But as you can tell, I made it and have been blessed with the most amazing wife for ten years.

This year is a milestone for us as a family, and we owe that to several different things:

1. God’s grace! Without the blessings of Jesus the Christ and the many prayers ( and early Saturday morning breakfast feast for all thee years) of my Grandmother, Dorthy “Me-Ma” Carman, we would not be here.

Gene Carman Sr and Me-ma with our latest addition, my son, Truett McGraw Carman

2. To my Grandfather, Gene Carman, who taught us all the true meaning of integrity and hard work. His perseverance even in the toughest of times kept us all going and striving to offer unbeatable service combined with integrity and honest hard work mixed with sweat, tears, and joy. He still conducts auctions on a weekly basis in the auction season.

3. Loyal customers who have continued to grace us with their presence at auctions. I can honestly say, every Saturday it is very easy to look up and recognize a large portion of our auction crowd as they have truely become extended family through out the years.

4. Our clients who have entrusted us over and over to handle some of their most valuable commodities in Real Estate and personal property and have honored us with the privilege of walking them through countless Estate Auctions, sometimes only having met us but having been referred to us by a common friend or acquaintance.

So how do we celebrate? By offering you more of the same! Honest hard work founded on Integrity!

Without these key ingredients this cherished heritage would not be possible. So from the bottom of my heart, I would like to say “thank you” for giving us the honor of serving in the auction industry for so long in Middle TN. I am truly looking forward to this year of celebration by giving you, our clients and customers, more of what you have come to expect from us. And by seeking to glorify God in all I do, I hope that those we serve will receive the blessings that He has sent our way.

If I can ever serve or assist you in an Auction, whether Estate, Real Estate, or Benefit Auction, please do not hesitate to call! And I hope our next 100 will be more of what has already been as we celebrate 1910-2010 with you!

Ray Carman

Today I had a great phone conversation with someone regarding Auctions. They were in the situation of overseeing an Estate of a loved one and had a few questions regarding the process. The estate was in another state, and they were a little unsure as to what to expect in the process, expenses, and responsibilities of an auctioneer.

To say the least, the auction process, for someone who has never gone through it, can seem quite daunting. You are never really sure what to expect and whether or not that fast talker is slick talking you! Auctioneers can at times have a reputation for working “slight of hand,” so, at times we have to earn our clients trust. If you are having to deal with an Auctioneer, here are a quick few tips for questions to ask:

1. What do you charge and are there any “hidden fees?”

2. Can you give me a detailed list of any and all expected expenses? Advertising, crew, clean up, auction prep, etc?

3. Do you have any references I can touch base with?

4. What all comes with your service?

5. How are you planning on advertising my sale and getting the most “bang for my buck?”

6. What all am I expected to do prior to, during, and after the auction sale? What should I expect of you and your firm before, during, and after the sale?

From these basic starters, you should have a decent feel for what your Auctioneer has to offer. If you are needing an Auctioneer or Auction Firm in Tennessee or Southern Kentucky, we would be honored to answer the above questions and any others you have here at Gene Carman Auctioneers. If you want to reach me directly, you can do so at 615-428-4920 or RayCarman@gmail.com.

Ray Carman

Recently I have run into several people who are in the circumstance of overseeing an Estate.  A family member or loved one has passed away and left behind a house or farm to be taken care of. Being in the auction business, this is a common sight for us as we work with family members when settling an estate.

The question is, “Do I have to wait for the will to be probated before I sell the property?”

The answer is “No. You can have the property sold prior to the probation being finalized. The property and personal items can be sold and the money will be held in escrow until the estate has been finalized in the probate court.”

The next question that would automatically follow is, “What then is the benefit of selling before the probate case is finalized if we cannot have the money?”

The answer here is that you can help avoid vandalism, theft, and deterioration of the property. Many times these cases do take some time, even months or over a year to be finalized, and if a property sits empty for that period  it can be subject to any of the above mentioned issues. By selling the property prior to the finalization of the Probate case, you can help insure the property sells when it is in its best condition and avoid the potential of vandalism or theft problems.

So do you have to wait on probate? For the funds, Yes! To sell, NO! Of course we do recommend you speak to your legal council regrading your particular case.

Ray Carman – Auctioneer (615) 428-4920