As the year comes to a close, one thing is clear. Sellers across the public sector continued to find value in assets of all shapes and sizes by using GovDeals to reach a growing national and global audience of buyers.
From transit fleets and construction equipment to surplus office items, real estate, and even jewelry, 2025 showed that surplus does not have a single definition. What mattered most was visibility, competition, and the ability to connect the right assets with the right buyers. Here is a look at some of the seller activity that defined the year on GovDeals.
Transit agencies remained among the most active and high-performing sellers on the platform.
One large metropolitan transit agency led bus sales last year, auctioning roughly two dozen vehicles. A standout example was a 2017 New Flyer XD40 transit bus that drew 67 bids. The auction closed at $88,000, with a total sale price nearing $99,000, underscoring the strong buyer demand for well-maintained transit assets.
This activity highlights how agencies can use online auctions to efficiently move large-scale assets while maximizing competition.
→ Learn how GovDeals supports transportation agencies with online auctions designed to attract competitive bidding from buyers nationwide.
Real estate continued to be a strong and diverse category, especially when listings were exposed to a broad buyer base. One 5.5 acre parcel in Texas attracted 41 bids and sold for more than 1.8 million dollars, demonstrating the level of demand that real estate assets can generate when marketed to a national buyer base. Real estate sellers continued to list surplus land and property throughout the year, with auctions drawing interest from buyers way beyond a local audience.
→See how GovDeals helps sellers bring real estate listings to a national marketplace, expanding interest beyond local buyers.
Higher education sellers demonstrated that surplus value is not limited to high-dollar assets.
A large public university surplus program led activity in the office furniture and equipment category. One lot of various surplus office phones attracted 37 bids and sold for nearly $700. While modest in price, the level of engagement reflects how routine campus cleanouts can still generate competitive bidding and return funds to the institution.
This kind of consistent participation is a reminder that even everyday assets have value when paired with the right marketplace.
→ If your institution is clearing surplus furniture, equipment, or technology, see how GovDeals helps turn everyday assets into competitive auctions.
Public works and construction equipment continued to perform well throughout the year.
A state-level public works agency stood out in the loaders category, completing more than 50 sales in 2025. One 2012 Case 621F loader drew close to 40 bids and sold for more than $38,000. These results highlight ongoing demand for construction and public works equipment among specialized buyers nationwide.
For agencies managing fleet rotation or infrastructure upgrades, these outcomes reinforce the role online auctions can play in surplus strategy.
→ Discover how GovDeals connects heavy equipment sellers with a specialized audience actively searching for infrastructure and construction assets.
A state unclaimed property division led jewelry sales on GovDeals last year, posting approximately 1,479 auctions. One lot of scrap gold jewelry weighing just over 250 grams attracted 96 bids and sold for more than $15,000, with a total transaction value exceeding $18,000.
This example shows how unique and unconventional assets can generate significant engagement when exposed to a national pool of buyers.
→ Learn how GovDeals supports sellers with matching them with buyers looking for something unique by matching them with buyers looking for something unique. Some of the most competitive auctions came from categories that tend to surprise people.
The past year reinforced an important takeaway for sellers. There is no single profile for a successful surplus asset. Whether selling transit vehicles, land, equipment, office items, or specialty goods, sellers saw results when they leveraged competition, transparency, and nationwide reach.
As organizations plan, many are already identifying surplus earlier, expanding the types of assets they sell online, and refining their approach to digital auctions.
If your organization is preparing for surplus sales in the year ahead, now is the time to explore the selling path built for your needs on GovDeals.