Dream come true for auction buyer

IT WAS an online auction that helped make transport company owner Julian Kilby’s dream come true after he cast the winning bid of $64,000 for 20 Caswell St, Peak Hill (pictured above).

Mr Kilby was over the moon that the keys to the Peak Hill home were finally his after seeing the property every day as he drove past on his daily route. As an essential worker doing odd hours driving trucks for his company, Mr Kilby also embraced the online auction method which he said offers more accessibility and flexibility.

“I didn't feel disadvantaged or left out because I could still be part of the auction remotely. This wouldn’t have been feasible if the auction had taken place on-site,” Mr Kilby said.

“The whole process was transparent, I was able to pull over my truck, click on a link and buy the property on the side of the road.”

This just goes to show that the online auction method can open up the buyer pool significantly and capture the one buyer who is driven by emotion and willing to pay top dollar. Mr Kilby plans to do some improvements to the home but for now he said it makes an excellent spot to park his truck when he needs to pull up overnight.

Seller Susan Cusbert also had reason to celebrate the sale, which went 73 per cent over the $35,000 reserve. Ms Cusbert said she made the decision to sell to make the most of the market conditions.

“I didn't want to miss an opportunity to offload it in a hot market and am thrilled with the final sale price,” Ms Cusbert said.

Selling agent Nick Kelly of Ray White Parkes | Forbes | Condobolin said his phone rang off the hook with calls from buyers all over the state throughout the campaign.

“Interest mostly came from investors looking to snap up a cheap property but there were also some locals who wanted to secure the block,” Mr Kelly said.

“We received multiple offers at the asking price within a day of listing the property.”

When it came to auction day, the property was hotly contested with 10 registered bidders tuning in online while six bidders threw their hat in the ring and actively bid. Mr Kelly said the auction process showed that there are motivated and fully qualified buyers out there willing to pay.

“This created the competition we needed to secure a premium price for our client. A property is only worth what someone is willing to pay and there were some bold moves made trying to secure this property,” he said.

“I believe when there is strong interest and multiple offers, auction is always the fairest way to buy and sell property.”