Changing of the guard for buyers and sellers nationally

David McMahon, head of auctions for Ray White NSW | ACT, noted a noticeable uptick in auction activity, saying, “We saw a 20 per cent increase in scheduled auctions today and averaged 4.9 registered bidders with 2.9 active.”

He observed a subtle change in buyer sentiment:“We’ve experienced a slight shift in buyer behaviour, with hesitancy in bidding returning in some markets. As a result, agents are having to work much more closely with their buyers in the lead-up to auction day.”

Mr McMahon also pointed to the impact of recent economic signals on buyer confidence: “The surprise announcement that rates would remain on hold has buyers now eagerly awaiting the outcome of the August RBA meeting.”

147 & 149 Canberra Street, St Marys

• Sold under the hammer for $3.515 million

• 10 registered bidders, six active bidders

• Lead agent: Peter Diamantidis - 0404 051 702

• Ray White United Group

• Auctioneer: Alex Pattaro, Ray White

Two adjoining properties were sold under the hammer, marking a significant moment for a family whose ties to the land spanned nearly a century.

“This is the first time these homes have ever been sold,” said Mr Diamantidis. “The land was originally purchased in the 1940s when the family migrated from Lithuania. They were built in 1949 and it has stayed in the family ever since.”

The sale marked the end of an era for an elderly couple whose family had owned the titles for generations. “The properties were in the name of the mother, who lived past 100 years old. Her daughter in her late 70s, who was managing the estate, sadly passed during the planning process. The son then took over and saw through the sale,” Mr Diamantidis said.

The successful buyer was an investor and developer who plans to build townhouses on the site eventually, with the likely aim of selling them to first home buyers.

“The market is incredibly buoyant right now,” Mr Diamantidis added. “Last month was the biggest in our history with 104 sales, and this month is tracking to match or even exceed that.”

Auction volumes may have dipped across Victoria this winter, down nearly 20 per cent from the same period last year, but according to Ray White Victoria Chief Auctioneer Jeremy Tyrrell, buyers aren’t holding back.

“Many sellers are waiting until spring and the prospect of interest rate cuts, but buyers are already out in force,” he said. “That shortfall in listings is creating real competition, and sellers who are in the market now are reaping the benefits.”

This week alone, 165 auctions were scheduled across the Ray White network in Victoria, with a strong 85.2 percent clearance rate. Among those was an early-morning auction at 13 Carramar Street, Mornington, a premium bayside suburb where interest is heating up.

The auction drew a diverse mix of buyers, first home buyers, downsizers, investors and developers. Selling agent James Stamatopoulos of Ray White Frankston noted strong local engagement. “This pocket of Mornington is really emerging,” he said. “There’s great value here and buyers are responding.”

More than seven bidders attended the auction, with five battling it out in spirited competition that pushed the price to $815,000.

The winning bidders were a developer couple, Tania and Jason, who snapped up the 593sqm block with plans to build a grand single home. Aware of the tightening market, they say they’re actively looking for more opportunities. “Buying early gave them the rest of Saturday to keep hunting,” said Stamatopoulos.

49 Simmons Drive, Seaholme

• Sold under the hammer for $1.443 million

• 10 registered bidders, five active

• Lead agent / auctioneer: Richard Anile - 0433 328 738

• Ray White Altona

The property, a fully renovated four-bedroom family home with two living areas, stood out in the local market. “It was a true turnkey offering,” Mr Anile said. “There just aren’t many homes like this available in the area - fully complete, ready to move in, and ideal for families.”

The sellers, who purchased the home in 2007 and completed a major renovation in 2010, had since relocated to Geelong for a sea change, turning the property into an investment. Now, after years of ownership, they’re celebrating a fantastic result. “The sellers are absolutely thrilled with the outcome,” Mr Anile said.

The winning bidder was an inner Melbourne-based buyer planning to make the move to Seaholme. “It was a local gentleman buying as an owner-occupier,” Mr Anile said. “He’ll be moving in and enjoying everything the home and the area have to offer.”

30 Neptune Terrace, Mernda

• Sold under the hammer for $1,005,000

• Nine registered bidders, four active

• Lead agent/auctioneer: Aaron Geary - 0433 269 665

• Ray White Mernda

For seller Karen, the day came with its share of nerves, but ended in celebration. “It was a nerve-wracking day, but Aaron and Libby made the process run as smoothly as possible,” she said. “At the end of the day, my advice to sellers is to trust the process.”

Karen and her family had lived at the home for seven years and were deeply connected to the area. “My sons live nearby, and this result means we can now start looking for another great property in the area we love, and we’ll be sticking with Aaron and Libby to help us do that.”

According to Aaron Geary, the result was driven by strong local demand. “The buyer was a local downsizing into the area, as were all the active bidders today,” he said. “There’s such limited stock available right now - we have plenty of buyers lining up for properties like this.”

In what’s being described as a “remarkable day in Brisbane real estate,” buyers flocked to auctions across the streets ahead of new seller disclosure requirements set to take effect on August 1.

Ray White Queensland’s chief auctioneer Gavin Croft said the urgency among buyers created one of the most energetic auction days Brisbane has seen in years.

“Home buyers scrambled to get in before the first of August, in order to be in front of the new seller disclosure that is required,” Mr Croft said. “It was a huge volume day, with incredible selection and choice right across Brisbane.”

Ray White offices from Mt Gravatt, Robertson, and Calamvale joined forces to hold a mega auction event on Saturday, offering 39 properties to market. The result was a staggering 504 registered bidders, 36 out of 39 homes sold under the hammer, and more than 1,750 people tuning in both in-person and online.

“It was one of the biggest events we’ll see this year,” Mr Croft said. “A wonderful demonstration of the energy in the southside market - truly unprecedented numbers since the thick of the pandemic.”

Andrew Boman, principal of Ray White Mt Gravatt, said the team was thrilled with the results.

“The clearance rate from the event was 92.3 per cent, and the total value of property sold was in excess of $45 million,” Mr Boman said. “It’s a wonderful scenario we’ve seen today, clearly, the market is still full of momentum.”

The property with the most bidders was 83 Crewe Street, Mount Gravatt East sitting at 43 registered bidders and sold by James Austin.

The top sale price from the event was Eric Li’s auction of 50 The Avenue, Sunnybank Hills which sold for $2.8 million.

42 Fryar Street, Camp Hill

• Sold under the hammer for $4.7 million

• Three registered bidders, two active

• Lead agent: Brandon Wortley - 0447 269 591

• Ray White Collective

• Auctioneer: Haesley Cush, Ray White

A luxury home in Brisbane drew a crowd of over 150 people and ended in a standout auction result, with the property last changing hands for $4.1 million in September 2023. The auction, conducted by Haesley Cush of Ray White, was managed by Brandon Wortley from Ray White Collective, who described the event as "an absolute success."

Sellers Michael Beilby and Marieka Van Den Bergh were thrilled with the outcome - and the entire experience. “This was our first ever auction, and we honestly loved the method,” said Michael. “When we first engaged Brandon, he took the time to step us through the whole process. Seeing it all play out today - and watching how the bidding went from a stalled point to the final price because of that competition - was really pleasing. We just trusted Brandon’s advice.”

The couple had purchased the property for its generous proportions, but eventually found it no longer suited their lifestyle. “We absolutely loved the house, but it was a bit big for just the two of us,” said Michael. “We travel quite a lot, so we were looking for more of a ‘lock and leave’ lifestyle. We’ve now bought a unit in New Farm.”

After the sale, the sellers had the chance to meet the new owners - a young couple with a baby - and toast the occasion. “We got to have a chat and share a champagne with them,” Michael said. “They’re going to absolutely love this house.”

“We’ve just arrived at a lovely restaurant to celebrate this result!” the couple said.

17 Whish Street, Windsor

• Sold under the hammer for $2 million

• Four registered bidders

• Lead agent: Alistair Macmillan - 0410 636 221

• Ray White Wilston

• Auctioneer: Christian Hamilton, Ray White

Mr Macmillan said the property stood out for its low-maintenance design and modern layout, particularly appealing to young families. “We had over 50 inspections throughout the campaign,” he said.

“Buyers were drawn to the ground floor living and dining, which really suits family life, and because it’s a relatively new build, it doesn’t come with the ongoing maintenance you'd typically expect from a Queenslander.”

The contemporary home offered a rare turnkey opportunity in the sought-after inner-north suburb, with its ease of living and modern finishes proving a key factor in the strong result.

(More information on the buyers and sellers in the intro above)

31 Perrott Street, Paddington

• Sold under the hammer for $3.1 million

• 15 registered bidders, four active

• Lead agent: Max Hadgelias - 0411 276 372

• Ray White Paddington

The heavily publicised home drew in an enormous crowd, one of the biggest that the Ray White Paddington team has ever seen at an auction. With multiple news crews there on the day, the atmosphere was electric, despite the dreary weather in Brisbane.

“There was incredible energy on the day,” said Max Hadgelias. “We had 15 registered bidders and four active buyers competing, but the crowd was in excess of 150.”

The historic home was a deceased estate that had been in the same family for more than 100 years. “This property holds a lot of history. It hadn’t been lived in since the 1990s, so there was a real sense that the time was right for it to find new custodians,” Mr Hadgelias said.

“The buyers are locals who are passionate about restoring the home and preserving its heritage. It’s great to see a property with such deep roots pass on to people who truly appreciate its story.”

127 Princess Street, Kangaroo Point

• Sold under the hammer for $1.735 million

• Six registered bidders, four active

• Lead agent: Brandon Wortley - 0447 269 591

• Ray White Collective

• Auctioneer: Haesley Cush, Ray White

Brandon Wortley said the campaign attracted strong local interest and a competitive crowd.

“It climbed to $1.682 million in really small increments, and once it was called on the market, two parties went head-to-head, constantly shifting their bidding strategies to stay in the game.”

The winning bidder was a local investor who already owns property in the area and understands the long-term value of Kangaroo Point. “They knew exactly what they were after,” Mr Wortley said. “They recognised the potential in a unique property like this.”

While the home itself is a compact two-bedroom cottage, it features a separate granny flat, which proved to be a major drawcard. “It was tricky to price,” Mr Wortely said. “But that's where auction shines - particularly for unusual or hard-to-value properties. The granny flat adds serious flexibility, whether it’s for extended family or extra income.”

In fact, the current owners were operating a small business from the back, a testament to the versatility of the property. “There’s a big appeal right now for buyers wanting to get onto the property ladder with the ability to earn supplementary income,” Mr Wortley said. “A setup like this could bring in potentially an extra $450 a week, which makes it a really attractive proposition.”

John Morris, Ray White SA chief auctioneer, brought some sporting flair to this weekend’s results, saying, “It’s Showdown Saturday in Adelaide, and while the Crows and the Power are ready to battle it out on the field, the real competition this week has been happening under the hammer!”

He highlighted Ray White’s market dominance, noting, “We called 45 per cent of all auctions across South Australia this week - holding more territory than any other group in the game.”

Mr Morris was quick to point to strong performance metrics, adding, “We’re coming in hot with a preliminary clearance rate of 80 per cent, backing up our already strong 70 per cent year-to-date performance. That’s consistency, confidence, and clear-cut success.”

“We’re seeing an average of 7.9 registered bidders per auction, with 3.5 actively raising their paddles. That’s strong engagement, serious intent, and auctions are absolutely buzzing with competitive energy.”

Summing up the week’s results, Mr Morris said, “From Morphettville to Modbury, from the west to the hills, Ray White continues to lead the charge. Just like the Showdown, it’s passion, preparation and performance that separates the contenders from the champions. And this week, the yellow and white army has well and truly delivered.”

1/27 Farr Terrace Glenelg East

• Sold under the hammer for $776,000

• Eight registered bidders, four active

• Lead agent: Adam Rice - 0402 936 953

• Ray White Glenelg

• Auctioneer: Rod Smitheram, Ray White

The tightly held two-bedroom unit sold under the hammer for $776,000, setting a new benchmark in the suburb (previously held at $739,000 for a two-bedroom unit) and drawing strong interest despite a downpour mid-auction. The bidding remained fierce throughout, even as the skies opened.

Adam Rice said the home’s location and rare offering drew strong competition. “To have that kind of interest in a company-titled unit is a clear sign of just how tightly held and desirable this pocket of Glenelg East is,” he said. “It’s not often a property with this kind of walkability and lifestyle appeal comes up.”

The seller, who ran an alterations business from the second bedroom, was upsizing to be closer to family and to accommodate her growing needs for space. The home’s generous layout and location just a short stroll from Jetty Road, the tram line, and Glenelg’s café precinct made it a standout.

The successful bidder, Abbey, was purchasing her second property and said this home ticked all the boxes. “I’ve always wanted to buy in this suburb,” she said. “The rooms are really spacious, and the layout just had a nice flow. The outdoor space was a huge drawcard - something I don’t have at the moment.”

She added that the property’s potential also appealed. “It’s got great bones and a garage, which is a massive bonus in this area. Eventually I’d love to renovate the bathroom and make some cosmetic updates.”

“My parents live nearby, and we take the dogs for walks around here,” she said. “It’s so quiet and family-friendly. Everyone really takes care of their homes and gardens. And being so close to the beach, there’s nothing better.”

35A Rosetta Street, Collinswood

• Sold under the hammer for $1.405 million

• Eight registered bidders, five active bidders

• Lead agent: Adam Humzy - 0488 586 552

• Ray White Prospect

• Auctioneer: John Morris, Ray White SA chief auctioneer

“It was a beautiful owner-occupier home,” said Adam Humzy. “The house itself had a perfect blend of old-world charm with tasteful modern additions, which really resonated with the market. The general area is fantastic,it’s one of those locations people really want to be in, especially for families.”

The majority of the interest throughout the campaign came from owner-occupiers looking to settle down, with the eventual purchaser also buying the property as their family home.

“Most of the buyers who came through were looking to live here, not invest,” Mr Humzy said. “That’s a testament to both the home and the community it’s in.”

15 Lakeview Drive, Parafield Gardens

• Sold under the hammer for $800,000

• 12 registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Stefan Siciliano - 0403 171 489

• Ray White Prospect

• Auctioneer: John Morris, Ray White SA chief auctioneer

The seller of the charming brick family home, Belinda said that she was absolutely thrilled with the result.

"I had no hesitation in going to auction. I've seen Stefan and John Morris at many auctions in the past and I've seen how much it is bidders that take it to the next level.

“It's not just you, the agent, negotiating with the buyers, it's the buyers negotiating with themselves. I would definitely go to auction again if I was selling another property, and these agents would be at the top of my list.”

Ray White Western Australia CEO Mark Whiteman said property listings in Perth dropped below 3,500 this week making the market even more competitive for buyers looking for a winter purchase.

“This has seen record numbers on inspections and registered bidders at auctions across Perth as sellers take advantage of the conditions to get the best price by auction,” Mr Whiteman said.

36 St Vincents Avenue, Wembley

• Sold under the hammer for $2.53 million

• Five registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Vivien Yap - 0433 258 818

• Ray White Dalkieth|Claremont

• Auctioneer: Mark Whiteman, Ray White

Vivien Yap said that the buyers were a lovely family, who have been looking for a while and instantly fell in love upon first viewing.

“They have twin daughters and will miss their friends who have walked with them locally for the past 20 years, but their friends are now looking to move to the area too!”

They have lived in their Mount Lawley home for 24 years.

Seller Damian, who had purchased the original home before subdividing and developing the site, said property development had become a passion project alongside his full-time work.

“I’m absolutely over the moon with the result,” he said. “The team did a fantastic job showcasing the property in its best light.”

Although he was away for work during the auction, Damian was thrilled to be part of the action over the phone, while his proud mum and dad attended in person.

“This was my first auction experience, and I really enjoyed it,” he added. “As long as the property suits an auction, it’s definitely the way to go. I’m already looking forward to starting my next project.”

“Vivien and her team’s approach to the sale of my home was outstanding. The client engagement throughout the process was unmatched, especially as I had already gone through the same process for this property 15 months earlier with completely different results.”

“Her access to leading interior designers and stage truly lifted the appeal of my home to a bespoke level,” Damian said.

55 Tyrell Street, Nedlands

• Sold under the hammer for $2.701 million

• 15 registered bidders, five active bidders

• Lead agent: Thomas Jefferson Wedge - 0416 657 300

• Ray White Dalkeith | Claremont

The auction, led by Thomas Jefferson Wedge drew intense interest and saw bidding increments drop to as little as $500. At the heart of the story was the seller, a 95-year-old woman who had called the property home for 62 years.

“When I first met her back in March, I had no idea she was 95,” Mr Wedge said. “She’s so switched on. She told me, ‘Now that I’ve turned 95, I better start thinking about my future!’”

The much-loved home, located just five minutes from the Perth CBD, was surrounded by large, modern residences, something the new buyer plans to emulate. “The buyer is going to build his dream home on the block,” Mr Wedge explained. “It’s a beautiful location, and you can see the change happening all around with double-storey builds going up.”

For the seller, the sale marked an emotional but exciting new chapter. “She’s now moved into aged care with her 97-year-old sister, and it was a real privilege to help her through that process. We even arranged for her furniture to be auctioned through a local auction house.”

11/25 Mason Street, Cannington

• Sold under the hammer for $578,000

• Five registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Jannine Blum - 0403 058 167

• Ray White South Perth

• Auctioneer: Mark Whiteman, Ray White Western Australia CEO

Jannine Blum said competition on the day drove up the price.“The buyers were a young couple eager to secure a home in this tight market.” The seller, who was based in Mauritius, was thrilled with the result.

Connor, the buyer and a first-home purchaser, shared his excitement. “We’ve been searching for a few months but got serious in the last few weeks. Finding a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, the largest we could find, was a real win. Walking away with the keys today is an amazing feeling.”

He also praised the auction process. “The auction method is fantastic as a buyer because you get to see exactly where the market is, right there and then, in the open.”