Dan Marino Auctions Parkland Mansion, Still On Market

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

Even Dan Marino has fumbled in South Florida’s stalled housing market.
After waiting a year and a half for a buyer, former Miami Dolphins quarterback decided to auction his 7-bedroom, 9 and a half-bath Parkland mansion, which is listed at $3.5 million.   
“The Marinos wanted to find out what the market is willing to pay,” said Marino’s auctioneer, Daniel DeCaro, President of Daniel DeCaro Real Estate Auctions, Inc. “Through auctioning, they know they have to give a discount to sell the property. If it’s a price they can live with, they’re going to sell it. They want it sold.”
The auction held Feb. 2 at 6429 NW 65 Way drew 10 registered bidders, who had to bring a $25,000 certified check, a blank personal check, and be able to post a 10 percent deposit.
The auction generated a pending offer, however Marino decided to reject that bid a few days later. The Marinos home is still on the market and DeCaro is still accepting offers on the property.
“The auction produced an offer on the property; however the property still remains available for offers and sale. We’re the real estate firm that is representing this property, and we’re only entertaining offers. We want to see what offers come through and we’re giving them serious consideration,” DeCaro said.  
Even though Marino did not accept the auction bid, the football legend is one of many using auctioning as a faster alternative to sell in a challenging market.  
Although auctioning homes is nothing new, the business is becoming more and more of a demand, according to DeCaro. His Naples-based company has served sellers and buyers statewide for more than 30 years and has continued to gain more clients even in this challenging market because of its quick delivery.
“Sellers are up here,” said DeCaro with his hand up over his head.
In his next breath, he moved his hand down adding, “And buyers are down here.”
“Auctioning sets a level playing field. The sale is non-contingent and the property settles in 30 days.”
DeCaro sparked an interest in the field at a young age through his family’s business.
“I started working on auctions when I was 16 and I’ve continued in the business and became one of the top auction firms in the country,” he said. “It’s exciting and you get to meet great people.”
Some of those “great people” like the Marinos and many others are using auctioning as a “call to action,” says DeCaro. He admits that auctioning might not be for everyone.
“This is a challenging market and many sellers should consider an auction. But this is a business decision. Business people understand the value of money and the cost of carry. But some sellers make emotional decisions and this might not be for them,” he said.
Steve Dooley, Sales Associate with DeCaro Real Estate Auctions, added, “Auctioning is a great opportunity for someone to get a really good value.”
He concluded, “With the market like it is, people are watching the values slide. Why not buy today?”
The Marino family also has a home in Weston for sale. DeCaro says his company has not been asked to auction that home as of yet.

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