SALISBURY TWP., Pa. — Just three months after being donated to Salisbury Township, a massive fire-damaged mansion has official dates set for its auction.
An online auction for the now-18,500 square foot “French château design" home at 3015 Barrington Lane will take place at 1 p.m. Oct. 16 at www.tranzon.com, the website of Tranzon/Sanford Alderfer Realtors.
The township entered an agreement to engage in business with Tranzon/Sanford Alderfer after acquiring the mansion May 16 for $1, according to commissioners' Aug. 22 meeting agenda.
It's being sold in as-is condition, with no contingencies.
The Alderfer news release says those interested "are invited to attend property tours" or call Tranzon Alderfer. The property's open house dates are from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 6.
"We are excited to help Salisbury Township find a new owner for this one-of-a-kind property."
Bob Dann, of Tranzon Alderfer
"We specialize in selling real estate at auction," Bob Dann of Tranzon Alderfer said in a release. "We are excited to help Salisbury Township find a new owner for this one-of-a-kind property."
Dann said the auction will begin at $400,000, but that they "do not have a specific minimum bid" for the former six-bedroom, 22-bathroom castle-like mansion, complete with an en suite home next door, to the local government.
According to the Alderfer property webpage, the winning bidder will however be required to: provide a 10% deposit of the total purchase price, a 10% buyers premium based on the high bid, a 2.5% buyer's agent fee and close within 60 days after township approval.
'Perfect canvas for dream renovation'
Alderfer's webpage about 3015 Barrington Lane describes it as "a rare opportunity for those with a vision" and "the perfect canvas for your dream renovation."
Dann previously told LehighValleyNews.com in a phone interview of the Alderfer team's excitement to sell the 4.62-acre property.
"It'll make a splash in the market. It's certainly an attention getter. And although it needs some work, it's gonna be a beautiful project for someone."
Bob Dann of Tranzon Alderfer
"It'll make a splash in the market," he said. "It's certainly an attention getter.
"And although it needs some work, it's gonna be a beautiful project for someone."
Since Salisbury Township took ownership of the property, commissioners' meeting agendas show the township was billed $31,139.38 in Salisbury School District property taxes on July 1.
It also previously spent $14,950.29 in settlement fees, and most recently got a $7,800 invoice for landscaping on the property in August.
UntitledCosts aside — which still fall lower than the mansion's previous sale price in 2021 of $6.4 million or its most recent assessed value of $1,327,000 — Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said the township was appreciative of Ravenwood Manor LLC's donation of the property, calling it a "very generous" surprise.
“Salisbury was happy to accept this generous donation to the township, the property is truly a showplace,” Bonaskiewich said in a release.
“The commissioners have decided to sell it and use the proceeds to benefit the township.”