Koerber farm auction brings out a lot of bidders, watchers

Farmland, house sold for over $2 million

By Laura Schiermeier, Staff Writer
Posted 10/11/19

It was a beautiful, temperate day in Mid-Missouri with a big crowd of local people coming out to bid or just watch the auction.

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Koerber farm auction brings out a lot of bidders, watchers

Farmland, house sold for over $2 million

Posted

VIENNA — A 600 acre Missouri Century Farm was sold in five separate tracts at auction last Saturday when a complete auction was held on the Sylvester J. Koerber where real estate and personal property were sold to the highest bidder. The house and all of the farm land sold for over $2 million.

It was a beautiful, temperate day in Mid-Missouri with a big crowd of local people coming out to bid or just watch the auction. Sold that day were farm and personal property that included tractors and farm implements, vehicles, coins, equipment, tools, household items and land were sold. The Koerber farm sale has been the talk of the town recently as the Maries River farm has many attributes of location and quality of ground. It’s located along a good road, Highway AA, and is located close to both Vienna and Argyle.

Hurst Auction Service with Franklin, Jim and Tom Hurst all present for the big sale, moved the auction along smoothly. The acreage being sold was determined by survey. Tom Hurst handled the microphone when the land was auctioned. He said all sales are final. Once sold, they won’t come back to it. Terms were 10 percent down that day with the remainder due at closing time in about 30 days. He had good things to say about the farm, calling it a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire quality farmland in Maries County. He complimented the people of Maries County and Vienna, saying he sees them there at the auction and they are good people who live in a nice community. Hurst said he attends MU Extension Century Farm events and this year the county has four Century Farm designations. He said Maries County has one of the highest percentages of Century Farm farms in his district and the state.

Albert Crump was present and will handle the legal work of closing on the land. He said any expenses in securing a loan are at the expense of the buyer and they will need to show proof of financing. 

In the sale bill, the farms were advertised as having a unique combinations of open land and timber.

Divided among five tracts for the purpose of selling, Tract 1 was the house with three acres. Built in 1975, the house is a brick rancher with two-car garage and a full basement with garage and exit doors and a paved drives. The house is four bedroom three baths, electric, propane and wood furnace and is set up for a generator. There is a 140’ well with rural water hookup. There is a large detached garage and shop.

There was some competition among bidders for the house but one man, Justin Weidinger, appeared to be determined to win and he continued to outbid the other bidders with the top bid of $180,000. When Weidinger and his new bride, Rebekah, won the bid and the house, they appeared to be very happy about it. The couple received a round of applause from many of the auction attendees.

Tract 2 was called the Hoeller Place and is 165 acres with Highway AA access. It was purchased by the highest bidder, Victor Stratman for $3,400 per acre.

Tract 3 was called the Copeland Place and it is 120 acres with easement. It was purchased by Tim Barnhart for $3,000 an acre.

Tract 4 was called the Koerber home place and is 149 acres with 119 acres of bottom ground, that Hurst called “corn ground” and with Highway AA frontage on both sides. It sold to Tim Barnhart, Jr. for $4,350 an acre.

Tract 5 was called the Kuensting Place. It is 126 acres with 50 acres in the bottom and has Highway AA frontage on both sides. Vern Hutchison was the high bidder at $3,350.

Before the land auction, Hurst said the closing costs would be split between and buyer and the seller and the taxes would be prorated. A neighbor, Victor Stratman, has leased the farms until Dec. 31, 2019 and the buyers are obligated to honor his lease. The new owners will receive the lease money until the end of the year. Also, Stratman has equipment and agriculture items on the land he is leasing and it remains his.

An excellent concession stand was provided by the Visitation Inter-Parish School Home and School Association.