The property is being auctioned by Sheldon Good and Co., based in New York.

"Mrs. Payson insisted on it," said Steven L. Good, chairman of Sheldon Good & Company, the auctioneer.

In Brooklyn, several thousand people turned out for an auction of 50 apartments by Sheldon Good in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn.

The auctioneers, Sheldon Good & Company, based in Chicago, place the total value of the seven houses and two pieces of land at $23 million.

"Just like residential auctions became routine in the 1980's, commercial auctions are becoming routine in the 1990's," said Steven L. Good, president of Sheldon Good.

Edward S. Gordon, for one, has gone in with Sheldon Good as a split-fee partner in the Sept. 20 auction.

LATE in May, a Sheldon Good & Company real estate auction ended not in a sellout or partial sale, but in a standoff.

"It's not unusual today for properties to be sold below mortgage amounts," said Mr. Green of Sheldon Good.

Sheldon Good was paid $100,000 in advance by Mr. Berson for advertising, printing and expenses, and it spent $75,000 in salaries and incidentals.

Auctioneer: Sheldon Good & Company Auctions NE, (800) 480-0061; www.sheldongood.com.