A Pinner Street house that was on the auction block Tuesday is still up for grabs after the event failed to attract enough bidders.

Linda Terry, broker for the sale, broke the bad news to about a dozen people gathered in the front yard at 227 Pinner St. just after 3 p.m.

“There’s not adequate competition to have a live-bid auction here today,” Terry said. “If you don’t have at least a decent number of bidders, it’s better to negotiate privately.”

She said only a couple of people were there to bid on the property. The rest were simply spectators. About four bidders, preferably more, would be needed to make it interesting, she said.

“We wish there was more interest,” she said. “We wish we had tons and tons of competition, but it’s not to be today.”

The sellers, John and Nancy Faircloth, raised three children in the 5,200-square-foot stucco home. It has a gated circular driveway, extensive backyard and multiple outbuildings, including a carriage house, all ensconced from its surroundings by tasteful landscaping. It has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, as well as a parlor, game room, Florida room, formal dining room, multiple fireplaces, full basement and finished third floor.

The stucco home was called a cottage when Col. John Beauregard Pinner built it in 1922 for his son and daughter-in-law, according to Tranzon, the auction company. Pinner was founder and president of Suffolk Peanut Company and a vocal advocate for the peanut industry. His own home was next door and remains standing.

In the 34 years they have lived there, the Faircloths lovingly restored the home, rendering it so charming it was open to the public four times for fundraisers for the garden club and Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society.

Terry said it is unusual to have so little interest in a property.

“I would like to know what the issue is,” she said. “It’s a beautiful property, well built, and it deserves a new owner.”

Terry said the home is still on the market.

“The house is definitely available for showing and entertaining offers,” she said. “We’re ready to sell.”

Terry challenged local real estate agents to bring buyers to see the house and also reminded those present that the extensive collection of personal property, including dozens of pieces of artwork restored by Mrs. Faircloth herself and a red 1988 Mercedes Roadster, is already up for online bidding on ebidlocal.com. More of the inventory, including antique furniture, rugs, sterling silver, statuary, porcelain, china, brass ceramics, stained glass, guns, swords and more, is being added daily.