By Katherine Snow Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — About 50 people, including close to 20 potential buyers holding yellow bid cards, showed up at the recent auction of the Mansion House Bed & Breakfast at 105 Fifth Ave. NE.
Breanda Silva wanted to open a healing center with massage therapy and energy healing if she bought the two houses, each about 95 years old. Art Dykstra wanted to buy just one of the homes to be a residence for his family.
"Probably the reason so many people are here today is because St. Petersburg is just hoppin' and rockin' right now," said Rob Barber, auctioneer for Accelerated Real Estate Services. The auction company was hired by Florida Bank to sell the property it foreclosed on last year.
First the houses were auctioned individually with the bidding starting at $200,000 for each. The 3,824-square-foot home ...