Every member of our team is licensed, trained, and deeply committed to serving both buyers and sellers with integrity and expertise across Northern Indiana.
JB
James Bates
Owner & Licensed Auctioneer
James founded Bates Auction & Realty with a single mission: honest, transparent auctions that get results. With over 25 years in the field, he has personally conducted thousands of farm equipment and land auctions across Northern Indiana.
Mike grew up on a farm in Northern Indiana, giving him an unmatched ability to inventory and value farm equipment. He leads our equipment auction division and manages all on-site logistics for machinery sales.
Sarah brings her real estate background to every land auction, ensuring parcels are properly described, marketed to qualified buyers, and closed smoothly. She manages all real estate transactions from listing to closing.
Tom has conducted over 500 estate and personal property auctions throughout Northern Indiana. His friendly demeanor and fast-paced calling style keeps bidders engaged from start to finish.
Rachel manages all marketing campaigns, digital advertising, and online auction listings. Her targeted buyer outreach consistently brings competitive bidder pools to every auction Bates conducts.
Claire is the operational backbone of Bates Auction & Realty. She manages seller contracts, buyer registration, and ensures every auction runs smoothly from first call to final settlement.