Background
In July 2025, Jefferson County, Washington, was looking to sell a 29.52-acre decommissioned gravel pit in Quilcene, WA. The industrial use property was no longer active and had become a liability for the county. County officials wanted to maximize its value through a transparent and competitive sale process.
By leveraging GovDeals’ online auction platform to sell the property, Jefferson County transformed this dormant asset into a high-visibility listing that attracted interest from across the country.
Challenge
The gravel pit, while considerable in size and strategically located, remained inactive and underutilized. Jefferson County recognized the need for a more innovative approach than traditional methods, such as sealed bids or local real estate listings.
Selling surplus real property is often complex for local governments. Local real estate listings can often restrict bidder participation to local audiences, which can lead to reduced competition and lower revenue. While sealed bids sales are a standard go-to for many governments, they are becoming increasingly outdated due to only reaching a very limited number of potential buyers and thus lower sale prices due to a lack of transparency and competition.
The county needed a way to reach a broader audience and ensure transparency in the sale process. Jefferson County officials needed a solution that would:
- Expand the pool of qualified buyers,
- Provide a transparent, streamlined sale process, and,
- Ensure the county receives the best possible return for taxpayers.
The Solution
As a previous GovDeals seller, Jefferson County selected GovDeals to offer its first property for online sale to the public. With the GovDeals platform, Jefferson County could set bid deposits and other requirements to ensure serious buyer engagement.
The gravel pit was listed for five weeks and included detailed property information, photos, and clear bidding instructions. The strategic partnership allowed the property to receive national exposure to targeted real property buyers.
The property was sent to auction with a starting price of $375,000, requiring a $5,000 bid deposit and a $25 processing fee.
The Results
The results of Jefferson County’s first property sale on GovDeals exceeded expectations:
- High Engagement: The listing received significant traffic and inquiries, including 1,865 visitors who viewed the listing.
- Streamlined Bidding: The auction received a total of 5 bids, before selling to a newly registered GovDeals buyer.
- Secure Platform: The auction process was simple and secure, with GovDeals handling registration, deposits, and buyer communication.
“Selling this large vacant lot felt overwhelming at first, but partnering with GovDeals made all the difference. The process was simple, and when the sale was over, our county was able to finalize all the details quickly and efficiently,” says Monte Reinders, director of Jefferson County Department of Public Works.
Jefferson County successfully transformed an idle, decommissioned site into almost $400,000 in revenue for taxpayers. The online format attracted significant attention, broadened the pool of potential buyers, and delivered a smooth process for both county officials and participants.
The outcome of this sale reinforced the value of digital surplus solutions, which enable the connection of government sellers with motivated buyers nationwide. Jefferson County, WA, has set the foundation for continued success with GovDeals — unlocking greater value and efficiency for surplus property sales. If your agency is interested in learning how GovDeals' flexible sales models can help you get idle properties sold, you can read more about it here.
