Our Story
What began as a regional auction business in Columbia City, Indiana has grown into a nationally recognized company, known for its integrity, expertise and results in land and equipment sales.
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1944
An auctioneer in Columbia City
Schrader Real Estate and Auction Co., Inc. was founded by Denzil Schrader when he began as an auctioneer in Columbia City, Indiana. Denzil was soon joined by his brother, Lavern, and together they built a strong reputation for selling farms, farm equipment and livestock across Indiana and Michigan.
The sale barn 
Rex, Denzil and Lavern 
1958 Winamac 4-H fair -
1967
Building a national presence
Expansion accelerated as a strategic plan was implemented to add Schrader representatives throughout the Midwest. Growth in the 1970s included selling land by arranging tax-deferred exchanges for many Midwestern landowners moving operations to other regions of the United States.
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1970s
The Maximum Marketing Method
The Maximum Marketing Method, now known as M3, was developed to maximize the sale price of large land tracts at auction. This innovative method, energized by an experienced Schrader team, led to numerous strategic joint-venture auction companies being formed by Schrader.
Rex and Denzil in the auction truck 
Working an equipment sale 
The team in the 1980s The method drew notice well beyond the Midwest: the story of a Schrader multi-tract auction made the newspapers as the approach spread to landowners across the country.
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Today
Where experience meets innovation
Our company joins an elite team of real estate and auction expertise with local, regional and national marketing. Sellers who choose our services have access to a nationally recognized group of auctioneers, consultants and negotiators backed by the reputation of the Schrader Auction Company since 1944. Our principals are certified auctioneers and real estate brokers, each holding professional designations including membership in the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI).
R.D. Schrader on the floor 
A large land auction in Wisconsin 
Luke as bid assistant The combination of these experts with our in-house marketing staff assures you that your property will be marketed through effective pre-auction advertising and promotional exposure in the targeted marketplace, as well as through the dynamics of the auction itself on auction day. Our comprehensive marketing services and proven record of exceeding clients' expectations are what set us apart.
I don't think it could have been done more competently, from the proper division of tracts in the beginning to the ending with the word SOLD! Your preparation for the auction was superb, and the auction was run with the precision of a Swiss watch. We wish to especially thank you for the tremendous amount of work and effort you put in during the entire process. The job Rex did on the floor during the two different auction sessions was nothing short of masterful.
Eighty years of results
See what land like yours has brought at recent Schrader auctions, or ask an agent what yours would bring today.