The Norris Group Blog

Tommy Williams 2008 President of The National Auctioneers Association (Full Bio)

Bruce Norris is joined this week by President of the National Auctioneers Association, co-founder of the Williams and Williams Auction Company, and panelist for I Survived Real Estate 2008, Tommy Williams. Bruce and Tommy discuss the extremely volatile past 5 months, the possibility for more unknowns in the coming year, what caused this to happen, innovative financing, homeownership levels, what buyers should have to bring to the table in order to own a home, what would happen if deposits weren’t required at auctions, people taking advantage of government system, HR3221 and some of the benefits, the unintended consequences of HR3221, valuation of properties and how auctions are part of that process, a correct version of an auction and how it brings out true value, overbids during a boom market, why auctioneers get frustrated because they are typically only considered during a downturn, builders releasing phases via auction and the benefits, if Realtors view auctions as partners or competition, how auctions work with Realtors, why auctions aren’t in the MLS, the task force between NAR and NAA, if Tommy can tell from auctions which areas are in trouble, NAA as a vast resource of statistics, how quality holds much more weight than price, if California is getting worse, the two states with the worst declines, ignoring true affordability, how we can do better in the near future, isurvived2008.com

Thomas L. Williams is a graduate of Penn State University (B.S. Animal Science) and the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI). Representing the third generation of Williams family auctioneers dating back to the mid-1800s, Williams is also a graduate of the historic Reppert School of Auctioneering. He has over 40 years experience in real estate auctions, land development and real estate investment. He currently serves as President of the National Auctioneers Association.

A founding partner of Williams & Williams, Williams served as president from 1986-2000, and became board chairman in 2001. He also co-founded and served as managing partner of Lowderman & Williams Auctioneers from 1965-85. He has conducted over 10,000 auctions in all 48 of the contiguous United States and Canada, and is an advisor to auctions conducted throughout Western Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

An avid cattleman, Williams also owned and operated Bradmar Angus Farms from 1965-85, after which he continued to serve as a herd and genetics consultant for many of the nation’s premier Angus cattle breeders.

Williams is a licensed auctioneer and real estate broker in over 20 states, and an active member of the National Association of Realtors.

Tommy Williams 2008 President of The National Auctioneers Association (Full Bio)

Bruce Norris is joined once again by auction legend, co-founder of Williams and Williams Auctions, and current president of the National Auctioneers Association, Tommy Williams.  Bruce and Tommy discuss what the duties are as the president of the National Auctioneer Association, foreign countries and the auction process,  the lessons to be learned from foreign countries, the leading foreign auction country, auction cycles and the psychology of acceptance, Tommy’s dream for the auction process, the biggest impediments for the auction method to gain wider acceptance, the possible synergy with Realtors, what the National Auctioneer Association is doing to reach out with the National Association of Realtors, the number one auction category in the United States, what rules or regulations could be put in place to help the auction process, Tommy’s wish to see foreclosure process change, the perception of auctions and how its changed over the years, what the public thinks about auctions and how Ebay has played an important role, shill bidding on Ebay, the benefits to joining the National Auctioneers Association (NAA),  the national auction publications, the education process of an auctioneer, how the auction industry self regulates against those that abuse the system, how word of mouth weeds out the bad seeds, rookie mistakes of auctioneers, the importance of understanding value, how the business has changed since the Internet, marketing being the most important ingredient for the auction process, the future for the Williams and Williams auction company. Williamsauction.com

Thomas L. Williams is a graduate of Penn State University (B.S. Animal Science) and the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI). Representing the third generation of Williams family auctioneers dating back to the mid-1800s, Williams is also a graduate of the historic Reppert School of Auctioneering. He has over 40 years experience in real estate auctions, land development and real estate investment. He currently serves as President of the National Auctioneers Association.

A founding partner of Williams & Williams, Williams served as president from 1986-2000, and became board chairman in 2001. He also co-founded and served as managing partner of Lowderman & Williams Auctioneers from 1965-85. He has conducted over 10,000 auctions in all 48 of the contiguous United States and Canada, and is an advisor to auctions conducted throughout Western Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

An avid cattleman, Williams also owned and operated Bradmar Angus Farms from 1965-85, after which he continued to serve as a herd and genetics consultant for many of the nation’s premier Angus cattle breeders.

Williams is a licensed auctioneer and real estate broker in over 20 states, and an active member of the National Association of Realtors.

Tommy Williams 2008 President of The National Auctioneers Association (Full Bio)

Bruce Norris is joined this week by auction legend, co-founder of Williams and Williams Auctions, and current president of the National Auctioneers Association, Tommy Williams.  Bruce and Tommy discuss how Tommy got involved in auctions and his family’s history in the auction business since the 1800s, how the tradition continues in the family, how Williams and Williams auctions are set up, the team members that make auctions possible, on-the-front-yard auctions, why Williams and Williams chooses not to pursue ballroom auctions, why auctions on the lawn helps obtain true market value, dealing with surprises during live auctions, how bad weather actually makes for a better auction, how long the process takes and how efficient the process has become, how government-backed banks are harder to deal with than private institutions, the readiness of Williams and Williams to grow as the market changes, the different types of auctions and which Williams and Williams chooses to use, how a seller is more willing to change what they will take for a property on auction day, true market value and how auctions show the seller the truth, if sellers today are more willing to accept lower offers, why it’s important to have the seller present at auction, problems with old appraisals, shill bidding in current California auctions, when shill bidding is acceptable and what auctioneers should be doing if it’s a practice they choose to pursue, how some states have licensing laws and other’s do not, Tommy’s thoughts on shill bidding, the stigma to builders considering auction, what any seller will need to consider when considering the real estate auction process, the difference between a loved home and an unloved home, auctions during the peak of a boom and how sellers could see even more gains, the marketplace tells the truth, and finally, williamsauction.com.

Thomas L. Williams is a graduate of Penn State University (B.S. Animal Science) and the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI). Representing the third generation of Williams family auctioneers dating back to the mid-1800s, Williams is also a graduate of the historic Reppert School of Auctioneering. He has over 40 years experience in real estate auctions, land development and real estate investment. He currently serves as President of the National Auctioneers Association.

A founding partner of Williams & Williams, Williams served as president from 1986-2000, and became board chairman in 2001. He also co-founded and served as managing partner of Lowderman & Williams Auctioneers from 1965-85. He has conducted over 10,000 auctions in all 48 of the contiguous United States and Canada, and is an advisor to auctions conducted throughout Western Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

An avid cattleman, Williams also owned and operated Bradmar Angus Farms from 1965-85, after which he continued to serve as a herd and genetics consultant for many of the nation’s premier Angus cattle breeders.

Williams is a licensed auctioneer and real estate broker in over 20 states, and an active member of the National Association of Realtors.