Naperville couple plans to sell estate, horse barn to highest bidder

Horses have been a part of Sandra and William Barclay’s life since the 1980s, and their English manor-style home and red barn set on more than five acres in unincorporated Naperville reflects their passion.

Now retired, the couple wants to spend more time riding and showing their equines.

“Living in Florida allows us to be active with the horses throughout the year,” Sandra Barclay said of their desire to move.

To expedite plans to follow their dream, they are opting for an unorthodox way to market their house and property at 7S460 Donwood Drive West. Interluxe Auctions will be selling it to the highest bidder next week in cooperation with Heather Bejda of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

With an auction, Barclay said in an email, they’re able to bring their unique property to the attention of a wide group of potential buyers.

“We also like the fixed time table that is part of the auction process,” she said. “The auction is scheduled for Monday, June 5, and it is quite likely we will have a contract within a few days of that date.”

Bidding, which takes place exclusively online at www.interluxe.com, opens at 9 a.m. Monday at a starting point of $750,000 and is scheduled to end at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The property previously was listed at just under $2.5 million.

In advance of bidding, people can tour the house, barn and land from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The 6,294-square-foot house is divided into three levels with three bedrooms and three full and two half baths. The kitchen was designed by Cheryl D & Co. and features a blue AGA stove.

The red barn custom-built by Barn Pros features concrete floors, a center loft, European stall fronts, rubberized pavers, a wash rack and a tack room.

Stacy Kirk, director of client development for Interluxe, said the barn is versatile enough to be converted into a gymnasium, car collection garage, guesthouse, or pool house for a future pool.

“There are wonderful amenities, both formal and informal living spaces,” Kirk said. “We just need to get people inside of it to appreciate what a great property it is. And the location is awesome.”

An auction is a great option for buyers and sellers, she said.

“It’s great for the seller because they have the certainty of the sale. It’s great for the buyers because they have the certainty of getting a terrific property and they get to pick their price,” she said.

If the price goes beyond a bidder’s financial willingness or interests, then it wasn’t the right property or opportunity for them, Kirk said.

“With an auction, there’s no contingencies so there’s no chandelier to fight over or ruin a deal. It’s all about just the money and who’s willing to pay the most,” she said.

Real estate is always an emotional transaction, regardless of those buyers and sellers who say they think with a calculator, Kirk said.

“I’m a professional, and every real estate decision I’ve ever made is based upon emotion,” she said.

Someone will come to an open house and fall in love with the blue AGA stove, she said, or see the barn and envision a yoga studio in the space.

Buyers need to create an account with Interluxe Auctions and put down a $40,000 credit card hold or wire transfer. The money goes into the attorney’s escrow account, she said.

Once the auction is over, the funds are returned to the losing bidders. For the winner bidder, the money goes toward the required 10% down payment.

Barclay said she and her husband will miss many things, including “beautiful and unique architectural details found throughout the house.”

“The garden is special, it is a source of fresh cut flowers from March until December,” she said. “The AGA stove will be missed, it is really a fun way to cook.”

Views of the property are gorgeous in all seasons, she said. “I will particularly miss looking out the upstairs window and seeing the barn, horses and pasture,” Barclay said.

subaker@tribpub.com