Online enquiries and OFI numbers surge

ONLINE enquiry and open for inspection attendance has been a great way to track buyer demand and this week all numbers are pointing to a massive end to the spring selling season.

The Ray White Group has seen intense online buyer demand continue this week with a 24 per cent jump in online searches to 48,787 enquiries. According to Ray White HomePass data, last week members of the leading agency conducted 4300 open homes across the country which drew 30,770 attendees. This saw an average of just over seven people per open home which is considered a very encouraging volume.

Listings are also on the rise as Ray White sales results for the week showed a 1.3 per cent increase of new listings on this time last year. This marks the first rise in new listings in months for Australasia’s largest real estate agency. While sales continued to surge up 14 per cent year on year last week.

This increase in buyer enquiry mirrors the influx of average registered bidders at Ray White auctions. With one weekend left of the month, Ray White agents across the country have called 856 auctions with another 405 left between now and December 1. The Ray White national clearance rate for November sits at 65.5 per cent while crucially there have been five registered bidders on average per auction this month.

This weekend may mark the end of spring but the selling season seems to be far from over with the Ray White Group booking another 1157 auctions throughout December.

It will be Adelaide’s turn in the headlines this weekend as Ray White Henley Beach sells the home of an AFL superstar.

Brad Crouch, who won the best-and-fairest award for Adelaide Crows in 2019, is sending his stylishly renovated house with subdividing potential at 4 Sydney Avenue (pictured above) in Kidman Park to auction.

Ray White Henley Beach Principal Anthony Fahey, who is selling the property alongside agent Samuel Parsons, said the home was a great starter or an ideal investment.

“Sat midway between the city and sea, this recently updated solid brick home provides the perfect entry point into Kidman Park,” Mr Fahey said.

“The property has been stylishly renovated with an open-plan main living area, modern kitchen, and designer bathroom complete with floor to ceiling tiles.

“The home provides a flexible floor plan offering up to four bedrooms, if desired, or with the potential for a home office.

“The generous 730sqm land hold will be sure to appeal. As will the rare 22.86-metre frontage offering subdivision potential, whether that be now, or further into the future.”

Meanwhile, Ray White Norwood agents Ryan Stapleton and Nick Borrelli continue the office’s hot streak of auctions with standouts 14 Parkside Drive, Gulfview Heights and 1 Winton St, Broadview.

In Australia’s largest auction market, spring selling season is still going off with a bang as another 93 properties proceed to auction in Sydney this Saturday. Ray White Sydney has recorded an outstanding month with a clearance rate of 72 per cent as 5.1 buyers registered to bid at 235 auctions to date.

In what is expected to be another standout auction for Ray White Surry Hills Director Ercan Ersan, 103/20-22 George St (pictured above) is set to be knocked down by Ray White auctioneer James Keenan in front of a crowd of eager bidders.

The Ray White Surry Hills Director has had his fair share of first home buyers through the property, while the sellers are seeing now as a good time to upsize with low interest rates and cheap money.

Ray White Bondi Junction agent Ray Nicholas said his auction at 28/2-8 Llandaff St, Bondi Junction will also not be a wasted trip for one determined buyer.

“We are getting interest from people who need a spacious unit rather than your average, smaller one. This includes downsizers, young buyers and even some first home buyers,” Mr Nicholas said.

“They don’t build them like this anymore and buyers know that, which is why we’ve already had 70 groups come through the apartment.”

Mr Nicholas has given out a price guide of $1,100,000 plus for the two bedroom Bondi Junction unit.

In the afternoon, Rate My Agent’s 2020 No. 1 Agent and Principal of Ray White Quakers Hill, Josh Tesolin, is confident 40 Rutherford St, Blacktown will post an impressive sale result. Meanwhile, Ray White Woollahra | Paddington Director of Sales Clay Brodie is equally as confident in the auction of 52 Paddington St, Paddington.

Good news came out of Melbourne last Sunday as Premier Daniel Andrews announced relaxed restrictions, including an increase on auction crowds from 10 to 50. While on-site/online hybrid auctions have led to some outstanding results, the news has been welcomed by Ray White Melbourne members.

Despite restrictions, Ray White Melbourne has been able to make the most of the spring selling season by auctioning 252 properties since the beginning of the month. This has led to an impressive 70.6 per cent clearance rate while 5.2 registered bidders attended, mostly from the comfort of their living rooms.

Keeping up the trend of strong Melbourne auctions, Ray White Gladstone Park Director Phillip Mercieca is set to sell two sought-after properties under the hammer this weekend.

The director and auctioneer will first take 25 Dianne Drive, Tullamarine (pictured above) to on-site auction on Saturday and said inspection numbers have been more than double the average for the area.

“In terms of numbers, they’ve been really strong. Throughout a three or four week campaign we usually see an average of 30 to 40 groups but excluding what we will see during the week, we’ve had 90 groups inspect the property so far,” Mr Mercieca said.

“The majority have been first home buyers and a little mix of second home buyers with young children.

“We are seeing huge demand from first home buyers now that there is more certainty in the market and Tullamarine is an attractive area for them as it’s well priced for that part of the market.”

Second up for Mr Mercieca will be 37 Bramcote Drive, Westmeadows which has had similar interest to Dianne Drive, with first home buyers lining up for private inspections. Both properties have been given a price guide of $590,00 to $630,000.

Ray White Cheltenham’s Kevin Chokshi will continue his on-site/online auction success streak this weekend with the auction of 35 Avensa St, Mentone. After being with the same family for 40 years, the three bedroom home is now being sold with a $910,000 to $1,000,000 price guide.

Mr Chokshi said the auction will cap off a successful campaign during which he has already had more than 80 inspections.

“There has been a lot of interest from young couples and young families wanting to upsize,” Mr Chokshi said.

“It’s got really good bones and a very futuristic floor plan for when it was built. The last owner was also a garden fanatic so the yard has been well-maintained.”

Mr Chokshi was one of the first Ray White Melbourne agents to bring auctions back on-site after restrictions eased and said he’s seen a significant lift in the market since.

“There is so much more buzz from buyers and people aren’t overly scared of spending money now, which is a very positive sign,” he said.

“Buyers make decisions on what things are worth based on prior sales and if those sales are strong like they are now, then it bodes very well for the future of the market. I think it should be a strong run up to Christmas.”

On the north west of Melbourne, Ray White Melton Director Joe Mavrikos is confident about the on-site auction of 22 Gallant St, Footscray which he said is set to go off on Saturday.

The three bedroom house has been popular with both developers and owner occupiers. The development zone offers the potential for a wide range of designs up to three storeys high which has brought in the developer interest.

Families on the other hand have been drawn to the location which is near local schools, shops and public transport. The Footscray property also has a rear access garage which is a rarity for the area. Mr Mavrikos said stock is tightly held in this pocket of Footscray.

“Not much comes up for sale in this area and a lot don’t want to sell at the moment but these sellers, who have had it as a family home then investment for a number of years, have seen the confidence in the market and decided to pull the trigger,” Mr Mavrikos said.

“With the new on-site auctions rules, you can see a lot of seller confidence coming back. On-site auctions bring that emotional connection into the equation and it’s special, so we’ve all really welcomed the news.”

Later on, 636 Boronia Rd, Wantirna, listed by Ray White Wantirna’s Paul Kalra and 250 Smiths Lane, Sunday Creek (pictured above) from Ray White Craigieburn agent Trish Orrico will both go to auction. Both are expected to sell under the hammer with multiple bidders creating some fierce competition.

Ray White Brisbane auctions are also set to thrill this week as Queensland’s capital finishes off the spring selling season with a bang.

Karen Pierce of Ray White Brisbane City is confident of her share in the auction action this weekend as 62 Stafford St, East Brisbane (pictured above) goes under the hammer.

Ms Pierce said she has had almost every buyer type on the market inspect the property including several from interstate.

“It’s an original cottage that cannot be knocked down, only renovated, and there is a lot of room to build up or extend the property,” Ms Pierce said.

“It has many of its original features including a working fireplace, so buyers are definitely seeing the potential in this home and to give it a new lease on life.

“The house is also on one of the best streets in East Brisbane so in terms of location, it’s hard to beat.”

Ray White Brisbane City Principal Dean Yesberg will conduct the 10am auction.

At 163 Blackwood Rd, Salisbury, Ray White Annerley agent Bevin Powell is also expecting a bidder battle this weekend. The three bedroom home has attracted interest from both owner occupiers and developers and has so far received close to 60 inspections.