The auctioneer of the Balfour House said he is optimistic a sale will be reached soon, despite the home’s not garnering a winning bid in auction Saturday.

About 30 people attended the auction, of whom 19 were registered bidders, said William Head, owner and auctioneer of Head Auctions and Appraisals in Ridgeland.

Meanwhile, another historic home is set for auction this weekend, and a third is scheduled to go on the block in October.

Of the Balfour House, Head said, “We’re talking with an interested party who has a counter-offer. We’re negotiating and we’re extremely close.”

The auction of the Balfour House had a reserve price, but Head would not comment on the amount or number of bids on the house.

The Columns-Beaulieu auction will be at the home, 2002 Cherry St., at 11 a.m. Saturday. That auction also is being conducted by Head. It also has a reserve price, and there is no fee to register to bid.

Just one block away from Columns-Beaulieu, the Old Feld Home at 2108 Cherry St., the home’s furnishings, antiques and an adjoining lot on Cherry will be auctioned off in the fall by Flowood-based Edens Auctions. An exact date for the auction has not been scheduled, but Edens Auctions president and auctioneer Frank Edens said it likely will be in October.

“The house contains one of the finest selections of antiques around,” he said.

Russell Puckett has owned the home since the 1980s and has been an avid antique collector and dealer for more than 45 years.

The home once served as an antique shop.