Real Estate: Auction for Victoria mansion only attracts 1 bid

In an unusual move for Victoria'sreal estate market, a luxury home was put up for sale using alive auction event Wednesday night.

The Samuel Maclure-designed home wasbuilt in 1910 and is located in Victoria's upscale Rockland area. Ithas over 7,000 square feet of living space, six bedrooms and six bathrooms.

The sale washeld in the home's ballroom, complete with champagne and music from agrand piano.

Despite attracting more than 2,000 people for tours, in the end only one bidder came forward and it was announced that the sale would be negotiated in private after all.

"I think that not everybody is comfortable being put on spectacle. So I think it would maybe be that kind ofscenario," said listing agentAndy Stephensonwith Sotheby's International Realty Canada.

The homeowners are from Australia, where auctions are more common, andthey wanted to give it a try see how Victoria buyers would respond,said Stephenson.

The sales tactic is the latest twist in Victoria's red-hot real estate market.

Deedrie Ballard withRE/MAX Camosun came to the event to see if an auction sale might be the way to go for one of her clients.

"I'm not surprised. Because we're so laid back and cautious, maybe people didn't want to step up to the plate," she said.

"All things are being tried right now. Our market is showing us all kinds of different ploys and activities."