A bumper end to February

THE last weekend of February is expected to close the month with a bang for Ray White.

As 2021 continues to fly by, the Ray White Group has had a stellar start to the year. Of the 724 auctions conducted between the first of the month and last Saturday, the leading auction house has sold 78 per cent on auction day while average registered bidders hover at just under seven and average active bidders total up to 3.7 nationally. These metrics are all up on last year, including the number of auctions making it to game day which is up 21 per cent on the same time last year.

During that same period, new Ray White listing authorities across the country sat at 4281, up by 11 per cent on last year and 15 per cent on 2018-19. This hints at a resurgence of sellers in the market who have heard the call that now is the time to sell.

There seems to be no shortage of buyers as Ray White members around Australia record 113,303 OFI check-ins between February 1 to 20 across 6744 listings.

Auction has also proven the way to go as Ray White marketed properties sold 12 per cent higher under the hammer versus the highest offer prior.

In Australia’s biggest auction market, the Ray White Group has achieved some standout results with an 82 per cent auction day clearance rate between February 1 and February 20 while 8.6 buyers registered to bid and 4.2 actively participated. This Saturday, the Ray White Sydney network has a further 131 auctions booked.

On Sydney’s southside, the auction of 4 Neville St, Oatley (pictured above) is set to be one of the highlights of the day. Ray White Georges River | St George | Oatley principal Matt O’Shea is expecting a host of bidders to attend the auction after a campaign that has attracted almost 150 buyers.

“This is one of the busiest auction campaigns I’ve ever seen. The reason it’s so popular is because it appeals to a fairly wide range of buyers,” Mr O’Shea said.

“Downsizers like it because it’s a relatively small block, a single level home and close to everything. A lot of younger families are also looking to get a foot into the area and use this as a starter home. While more established family buyers are thinking about renovating and putting a second storey on the house.

Meanwhile, in the sought-after suburb of Coogee Ray White Bondi Junction partner Michael Levy said his auction at 3/33 Ritchard Avenue is looking very positive.

“We’ve had on average 40 to 50 groups at open homes every Saturday throughout the campaign which is phenomenal. Both young home buyers and empty nesters have been showing interest,” Mr Levy said.

“There are only three units in the block which is highly unusual and this one is on the top, occupying the entire floor so there are no common walls and no one above you which makes the apartment more desirable."

Mr Levy is giving out a price guide of $1,000,000 for the two bedroom Coogee apartment.

The Ray White network in Melbourne quickly recovered from the snap lockdown of last week and is now facing some intense pent up buyer demand this Saturday.

This weekend, Ray White Forest Hill agent Steven Yuen and director Hugh Francis will be capping off a strong auction campaign for 6 Alek Court, Forest Hill (pictured above). The four bedroom home has received more than 200 inspections and has a price guide of $900,000 to $990,000. Mr Francis said buyer interest has come squarely from families eager to secure the property for its location nearby schools and the local shopping centre.

Meanwhile in Westmeadows, Ray White Gladstone Park director Phillip Mercieca and agent Ben Calcagno have overseen a host of inspections from first and second home buyers through 9 Gretna Close.

Mr Mercieca said despite having to cancel open for inspections during the lockdown the campaign has still done really well.

“We’ve had good, solid interest in the home due to the fact that there aren't too many quality houses listed in the area, so buyers are jumping on it,” Mr Mercieca said.

The selling agents are guiding between $600,000 to $640,000 for the Westmeadows family home.

In Brisbane, Lions’ player Ryan Lester, wife Emi and and baby son Romeo are taking their 12 Princess St (pictured above) home to auction through Ray White Metro North principal David Treloar and agent Sarah Olsen. The couple are expecting to secure a great price for the three bedroom Queenslander which they are selling in order to upgrade to a larger family home.

The Camp Hill property has attracted 140 groups through opens with Mr Treloar saying strong interest has come from young families and young executive couples looking to start a family. The auction will be part of an in-room auction event at 9:30am at Revel Brewing Co., 41 Oxford St, Bulimba.

Also going to auction at the in-room event is 53 Samuel St, Camp Hill which is expected to sell under the hammer through Ray White New Farm sales manager Nicholas Given.

“It’s been a really busy campaign and Camp Hill is a popular spot. We’ve been inundated at opens with buyers lining up to inspect the home,” Mr Given said.

In Adelaide, a range of buyers have been flocking to inspect 21 Strathmore Avenue in the popular suburb of Tranmere. Ray White Port Adelaide principal and selling agent Nick Psarros said the great location has been a major drawcard for the 80 groups that have inspected the property.

“It’s in a lovely part of the world and has a lot of potential for families, whether they want to knock it down and build new or renovate and keep for themselves, there is a lot of possibility,” Mr Psarros said.

Ray White Henley Beach principal Anthony Fahey also has an auction to watch at 13 Tiranna Way, West Lakes (pictured above) while Ray White Mawson Lakes agent Lukasz Jaworek has had strong interest for 6 Liberman Rd, Para Hills which is set to translate to some strong bidding.