A luxury home in the sought-after Moorings community will be sold to the highest bidder.
Minutes from downtown Naples, the nearly 5,000-square-foot home is described as the “very epitome of fine Southwest Florida living.”
Neither the property, nor the sellers are “distressed,” rather the auction is designed to drum up more interest in a cooling market, with more homes up for sale and competing for attention, said Randy Haddaway, founder and CEO of Elite Auctions.
His company, based in Naples, is handling the auction.
“It’s an outstanding opportunity. It’s a well-maintained property, no distress, whatsoever,” Haddaway said. “The sellers, they are just ready to move on.”
Over the years, his company has auctioned off numerous mansions and high-end estates around the world, with a solid following, and an extensive database and reach.
Previous auctions for homes in Naples have attracted some notable wealthy buyers, including a former CEO for IBM.
The latest offering at 445 Putter Point Drive is headed for auction without reserve in a few weeks. Without reserve means the sellers don’t have a minimum price.
“It will sell on auction day to the highest bidder, regardless of price,” Haddaway said.
The home, with five ensuite bedrooms, includes a total of five-and-a-half bathrooms, and an office, with a three-car garage.
Completed in 2008 by 41 West, a well-known local builder, the home includes interior design work by Ashley Martin Home, whose work has been featured in such publications as Homes & Gardens and Architectural Digest.
The home is characterized as a “blend of sophistication and comfort.”
The primary bedroom, located on the first floor, has a tray ceiling and a sitting area with bay windows. Through glass sliders, it offers direct access to the pool.
Other stand-out details include hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, a spacious great room, a formal dining room and an upstairs loft with a reading nook and wall-mounted TV.
The pool includes water features and an integrated spa. Nearby, there’s an outdoor kitchen with a built-in gas grill.
The craftmanship is “impeccable” inside and out, Haddaway said, with “attention to detail at every turn.”
The home is close to the beach and the Village Shops on Venetian Bay, a local shopping and dining destination.
Home is truly a ‘gem’
Despite the auction, the home remains listed for sale, giving it more eyes.
Yasmin Saad, co-founder of The Saad Team at Compass, is the listing agent. The offering, she said, is truly a “gem’ that “immediately makes you feel comfortable” and “at home.”
“The next owner will not only win the auction, but they will ultimately win a lifestyle,” she said.
The home’s current listing price is $5,998,000.
The home hit the market in January for $6.5 million. It has been on and off the market since then, with several price adjustments made along the way, according to Realtor.com.
Property records show it last sold for $6.4 million in July 2022.
With the auction, the home will get more attention, through Elite Auction’s aggressive marketing strategy, reaching potential buyers who may have not noticed it otherwise. The auction creates a sense of urgency, while maintaining the current list price, Haddaway said.
“We bring the market to them,” he said of the sellers. “So, whatever the market determines the value of the property is, it will sell for.”
Elite Auctions has worked with a few high-profile sellers in Naples, making local and national headlines, a few times. That included Mark Lye, a former golf pro and Golf Channel analyst, and Rocco Mediate, a six-time PGA tour winner.
From our archives:Golfer Mark Lye’s Talis Park home sells before going to auction
And:Naples mansion once owned by golfer Rocco Mediate sells before auction
In its latest auction, Elite is representing Whit and Laura Alexander. She’s a global business owner, and he’s a marketing and sales consultant, who once served as Best Buy’s chief strategy officer.
Previews of the home will start this weekend, with no appointment required. They’ll be offered Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., until June 9.
The auction is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 10. While most of the interested buyers are expected to attend in person, remote bids will be allowed via phone.
Only cash offers will be accepted, with a closing required within 30 days. A $75,000 deposit is required to obtain a bidder’s paddle.
“I can tell you we have interest in the property,” Haddaway said. “So, that’s a good thing.”
