By Nathan Sheridan

• Posted in Farmland
• JANUARY 16, 2026
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What Is a Multi-Parcel Auction and How Does It Work?

If you’ve ever attended a real estate auction and heard the term “multi-parcel” (or “multi-par”) auction, you may have wondered exactly what it means—and why it’s used. A multi-parcel auction is a powerful and flexible auction method commonly used to sell land, farms, and large tracts of real estate. It benefits both sellers and buyers by allowing competitive bidding across multiple configurations of property. Let’s break it down.

From the Seller’s Perspective

A multi-parcel auction allows a property owner to offer land in separate tracts (often used synonymously with parcel) while still keeping the option to sell it as a whole. Instead of locking into a single layout, the property is divided into individual parcels that can be sold independently, in combinations, or as one complete package.

Why does this matter? Because different buyers value land differently. One buyer may want a small tract, another may want two adjoining parcels, and another may want everything. A multi-par auction lets those buyers compete directly against one another, driving bids higher and helping determine the most valuable configuration of the property.

In short, this method is designed to maximize total sale price by letting the market—not assumptions—decide how the land should sell.

From the Buyer’s Perspective

For buyers, a multi-parcel auction offers flexibility and opportunity. You’re not forced to buy more land than you need, and you’re not restricted to predefined groupings. Instead, you can bid on:

• Individual parcels
• Combinations of parcels
• The entire property

During the auction, the auctioneer will first take bids on each individual tract. Then, bids are accepted on combinations of tracts. As new bids come in, the auctioneer compares all totals in real time to determine which bid—or combination of bids—is currently in the lead.

It’s important to understand that tying the high bid does not put you in the lead. You must bid at least the auctioneer’s increment above what it would take to tie. Because of this, staying alert and understanding how combinations interact is critical.

Stay Engaged—Even If You’re Outbid

One of the most important rules in a multi-par auction is this: don’t leave just because you’ve been knocked out of the lead. A single bid on another parcel—or a new combination—can quickly shift the high bid structure and put you right back in contention.

At SHERIDANS, our experienced auction staff is there to help you follow the bidding and answer questions along the way.

A True Win-Win

Multi-parcel auctions work because they allow buyers to pursue exactly what matters to them, while giving sellers the best chance to achieve maximum value. It’s transparent, competitive, and market-driven—and can be an effective way to sell land at auction.

We look forward to seeing you at our next multi-parcel auction.

Interested in learning whether a multi-parcel auction is the right fit for your property—or want to be prepared to bid at one? The experienced team at SHERIDANS is here to help. Visit www.SheridanTeam.com or call (937) 766-2300 to discuss your goals, explore upcoming auctions, and get expert guidance every step of the way.