Business Close-up: Laska Auctions and Real Estate
Brothers Andrew and Pat Laska recently opened a unique business that combines their talents as licensed Realtors and auctioneers. Laska Auctions and Real Estate LLC is a place where buyers and sellers can come together to purchase or sell property without the challenges of attending a real-life auction. “Our business lets buyers bid on an item without having to wait all day or in all kinds of weather,” said Andrew. “From the comfort of your own home, you can bid on items when we hold our online auctions at L-Sells.com.”
The headquarters for Laska Auctions and Real Estate is located at the former Pine Lake School, almost directly across from the Hodag Country Festival grounds on River Road. The Laskas occupy the gymnasium, where they have set up tables displaying a variety of merchandise for auction. “This is a good system for us because a seller never has to know who buys their merchandise,” said Pat. “Sellers can bring in their items and we post them on our website in an auction. We assign everyone a number and they use that number whether they are a buyer or seller.”
All the items displayed at the Pine Lake School are photographed and are then featured on an online auction at L-sells.com, where buyers can bid on them. The auctions run every other week from Friday at noon, until Tuesday at 8 p.m.
And those without a computer don’t have to be left out. They can go to the school and check out the items up for auction in addition to even bidding on them. “People can come in and bid on any item and then that will be reflected at the online auction,” said Pat. “All they have to do is come in and fill out an absentee bid form and then we will enter the bid on their behalf into the online system. Also, if someone sees something online and they want to see it in person before making a bid on it, they can.”
Sellers can also place a reserve on items. Those interested in buying can place a high bid, and the computer will bid to that amount.
The Laskas accept a wide variety of items to place in their auctions. Antiques are popular as well as household items, home decor, recreational items, tools, glassware, jewelry, coins, books, clothing, craft items, holiday decorations, snowmobiles and much more. They will not accept outdated electronics or broken items for auction. And items that have a significant value are placed in a locked show cabinet for safe keeping.
In addition to merchandise online, Andrew and Pat also sell real estate by auction. “We will come in and do a full work up of a property and market it on our website as well as through MLS,” said Pat. “There are lots of circumstances where people need to sell a property in a timely manner and we can help with that.” The Laskas can also sell real estate through traditional marketing methods if that is preferred.
Andrew and Pat are always willing to listen and help their customers with anything they need concerning selling items or property. They are flexible and open to different options as far as making their customers happy. “There are all kinds of scenarios out there as far as having an estate sale or having to sell property,” said Pat. “We’re willing to work with people, no matter what their situation.”
Laska Auctions and Real Estate is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The address is 4293 River Rd., Rhinelander. The phone number is (715) 367-1100 and the auction site web address is L-sells.com.
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