May expected to end on a high

AS June approaches, the market is beginning to cool slightly compared to last month but this winter is still predicted to be one of the strongest on record for the Australian housing market.

Leading the charge, the Ray White Group already has 1,325 auctions scheduled in June - up on this time last year - with more expected to be booked in the coming week.Across the country Ray White has 405 auctions booked for the last weekend of May. Ray White Sydney will claim 113 of those auctions to further boost the 78 per cent month to date clearance rate.Ray White New South Wales chief auctioneer Alex Pattaro suggested sellers think about coming to the market now.“Sellers need to consider coming to market now, Spring is traditionally a strong selling season and if stock levels continue to increase as they are now, how much more will we see in Spring? And will we have enough buyers circling the market with even more stock?,” Mr Pattaro said.“June auction volume is looking strong, even over the long weekend. The influx of auctions coupled with continued high clearance rates across the country demonstrate the competition still in the marketplace.”Only about a block back from Maroubra Beach, 48A Sackville St, Maroubra has been popular with a large range of buyers. Ray White Brighton-Le-Sands | Ramsgate Beach principal Elia Economou said there’s been no shortage of buyers inspecting the four bedroom house.

“We have been inundated with interest over the course of the campaign. So far, we have overseen 75 inspections and are confident there will be some competitive bidding on Saturday,” Mr Economou said.

“Buyers are coming from everywhere - the eastern suburbs, down the coast and locals - all wanting to upsize. A lot of them have said they plan to modernise the house and create their own beachside mansion.”

In St Peters, Ercan Ersan of Ray White Surry Hills has given 26 Florence St (pictured above) a $1.9 million price guide after buyer demand went through the roof while fellow Ray White Surry Hills director Matthew Carvalho has an afternoon bidder battle on his hands at 116 Beattie St, Balmain.

On Sydney’s east side, Ray White Kingsford agent Ferry Suwito has been on a roll lately with no signs of stopping. This weekend, the Kingsford agent is taking 7/7-9 See Street to what he expects to be a hotly contested auction after 90 groups inspected the property.

“Ninety per cent of interested buyers have been owner occupiers wanting to make the move from a two bedroom apartment,” Mr Suwito said.

“Many have been priced out of the housing market so they are turning to townhouses as the solution and this is the only townhouse for sale in the entire suburb.”

A further standout of the day is expected to be the auction of 4/10 Nullaburra Rd, Caringbah through Ray White Caringbah principal Wendy Samrani.

In Brisbane this weekend, the famous spy house Nyrambla (pictured above) at 21 Henry St, Ascot will have its day in the sun as it goes to auction through Ray White Ascot principal Dwight Ferguson.

For about three years, Nyrambla was requisitioned under the control of General Douglas MacArthur and became the Central Bureau, which was tasked with decoding Japanese radio transmissions. Once understood, the messages would be retransmitted to Allied bases around the world.There are claims the Ascot property, built in 1885, is where the Japanese transmission that led to the ambush and death of Admiral Yamamoto, the architect of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, was intercepted and decoded.Following the war, the ornate property was again returned to the residential housing pool. It has been owned by the late-Brisbane socialite Andree Daws, who passed away in August.Her father Warwick Whatmore owned the property in the roaring 1920s. The wealthy businessman owned a cannery at Manly which he later sold to the Edgell company. The larger than life character famously drove a brand new Rolls Royce car every year.Her husband, renowned artist Lawrence Daws, has a studio within the home.

Ms Daw’s son Rick Roberts, who cared for his mum in recent years at Nyrambla, said the house could be easily reconfigured to the next family’s needs.

“Mum held all the notable parties here in the 80s and 90s, she was quite a socialite and even 100 people came to her wake recently, we had to limit the numbers,” said the builder who has helped maintain the sprawling mansion estate for many years.

“The house needs a new family and could very easily be reconfigured to suit their needs.”Mr Ferguson said the grand double story home with eight bedrooms on 2608sqm presented a once in a lifetime opportunity for the right buyers.“This is truly one of the most significant homes to come onto the market in Brisbane. It’s been in the same family - on and off - for more than 100 years,” Mr Ferguson said.Also in Ascot, Ray White Metro North principal David Treloar has moved the auction of 6 Alexandra Road forward two weeks after receiving more than 60 inspections within a week and a half. Buyers have come from all over Australia including someone from Far North Queensland and another from Byron. Mr Treloar said many of them have been renting in Brisbane as they search for their dream home while others are planning to use the house as an investment.Later in the afternoon, Ray White Rochedale agent Stan Egawa will end the day in Brisbane with what he is confident will be an outstanding auction at 22 Bridle St, Mansfield.

In Melbourne, following on from last week’s stellar Spotswood auction, Ray White Seddon director Peter Gindy will be at it again with an auction at 30 Hick St, also in Spotswood. Both the interested buyers and vendors mean business with the seller already nominating a reserve of $1.1 million a week before auction.

“The vendor has asked for an 18 month settlement which has actually worked really well for many of our buyers who have mostly been developers and a few families wanting to knock down and build their dream home on the block,” Mr Gindy said.

On the northside of Melbourne, Ray White Bundoora agent Maggie Sun and managing director Russell Adams are expecting a host of first home buyers at this weekend's 3 Dilkara Ave, Bundoora auction. Mr Adams has overseen more than 60 inspections of the three bedroom home.

“We’ve had some really solid interest on Dilkara Avenue, especially from first home buyers and young couples starting out who all see the potential to add value to the property,” Mr Adams said.

At the same time, fellow Ray White Bundoora agent Walter Orlandi will be busy with his own auction at 10 Lapis Chase, Epping (pictured above) which is expected to net an impressive result under office director Andrew Mizzi’s hammer.

In Adelaide, Ray White Norwood auction pro Ryan Stapleton will dominate the day with two standout auctions - 2 Kolwes Court, Redwood Park and 11a Sydney Street, Ridgehaven. Mr Stapleton said about Kowles Court that the shortage of family homes in this tightly held suburb has only proven to heighten interest levels during the campaign.

“The property itself presents immaculately and has a real homely feel about it,” Mr Stapleton said.“Being a home that would attract younger families, this home being in a cul-de-sac is a real plus. Having direct access to the O-Bahn Busway and near all amenities is also a big attraction as well.”Ray White Henley Beach selling principal Anthony Fahey has also been on an auction hot streak and again has another highlight with 19 Newporter Terrace, West Lakes Shore. The four bedroom home is in an enviable location perfectly positioned only metres from the beach and lake.Focusing on Perth, where auctions are picking up steam, Ray White Applecross agent Noel Rogers has been leading the way and has booked another standout auction this weekend.Not only has 2/116 Solomon Street Fremantle (pictured above) been recently updated but is close to all of the suburb’s best hotspots including the foodie precinct at Wray Ave. Mr Rogers said the trendy location has been a huge drawcard for Perth buyers.