LAKELAND, FL, October 27, 2026 - Saunders Auctions, a division of Saunders Real Estate, generated $8.93 million and attracted 290 bids during a three-day auction of the 584-acre Etter Family Portfolio in Polk County, Florida. The Central Florida land auction featured citrus groves, agricultural acreage and lakefront parcels, giving buyers the flexibility to bid on individual tracts, combinations of parcels or the entire portfolio.
Held October 20-22, 2026, the auction featured 27 parcels along Central Florida's scenic Lake Wales Ridge, between the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas. Approximately 469 acres consisted of agricultural land with established Valencia and Hamlin orange groves, irrigation wells and rolling elevations overlooking the surrounding lakes and countryside. The remaining 115 acres included five approximately five-acre waterfront parcels along Reedy Lake, with a combined 1,484 feet of lake frontage.
“An auction brings motivated buyers to the table and gets them competing for your property,” said Spencer Smith, Land & Auctions Managing Director at Saunders Real Estate. “Buyers often see different opportunities in the same piece of land, and an auction lets them compete based on that vision. We received 290 bids on this property in Central Florida. That’s the kind of competition that can push offers higher and help landowners get the most from their sale.”
Brought to market via auction, the Etter Family Portfolio offered 584± acres on the scenic Lake Wales Ridge in Polk County, Florida.
For this property, interested buyers had the choice to bid on individual tracts, combinations of parcels or the entire portfolio, allowing them to pursue opportunities ranging from continued agricultural operations to long-term land investment and potential future development. In total, all of the 27 parcels sold.
The auction was managed by Saunders Auctions, a division of Saunders Real Estate. Dean Saunders, Richard Dempsey, Spencer Smith and Nick Dabbelt served as the property's real estate advisors, with Smith also serving as auctioneer.
The results highlight Saunders Real Estate's ability to market complex land portfolios through a competitive, time-defined auction process.
Saunders Auctions combines decades of land and commercial real estate experience with a broad network of buyers, brokers and industry relationships to spread the word about each auction. The team pairs that network with targeted marketing to reach buyers who see different opportunities in a property and bring them into the bidding process. From choosing the right auction format to preparing property information and guiding the sale through closing, Saunders gives landowners hands-on support designed to build competition and attract strong offers.
Next month, Saunders Auctions will host two auctions featuring 36.39± acres of commercial development land in Madison, Florida, and 407± acres of farmland in Farmer City, Illinois. For more information, visit SaundersAuctions.com.
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers, sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for 30 years. With over 100 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, we specialize in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect our legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions – Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. Our expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused approach.