A much-anticipated auction went off without a hitch - and whether you were there to bid on a piece of property in Bradley Beach or were just there to look, the energy in the room was palpable.

Town officials expected a massive turn out, and they got just that, but you had to be in it to win it - and four lucky bidders came away with some prime real estate.

Up for grabs were four properties on LaReine Avenue and one on Madison Avenue, all with starting bids of $800,000. The largest property started at a cool $1 million.

Frank Aloia sold his home in North Jersey and has been renting in Bradley Beach and knows firsthand that available land is hard to come by in this area.

"You try and purchase from the realtors and all and you’re just unable to, so this was an opportunity because we saw the church and unfortunately, it had to be taken down but from the ruins come the spoils," Aloia said

First Methodist Church once occupied the land, It was later bought by the town after almost 10 years sitting empty.

The church was knocked down earlier this summer after failing to get enough votes to renovate the building.

Bradley Beach Mayor Al Gubitosi said the community is looking forward to what's next.

"Culturally and emotionally, I think a lot of us are sad that we lost that church, it was part of our community since 1900 but recognizing that time changes and all things move forward," Gubitosi said.

315 LaReine Ave. was the largest lot. It sold for $1,250,000.

317 LaReine Ave. sold for $1,100,000.

321 LaReine Ave. sold for $1,300.000.

606 Madison Ave. sold for $1,225,000.

Winners have two weeks to increase their deposits, and in a month's time, they should be closing on their properties and beginning construction.

New homes could be up by the winter.