Spring auctions close with charity windfalls and first-home joy

Ray White, Australia’s largest real estate group, reported a preliminary clearance rate nationally of 73 per cent today. The capital city with the highest clearance was Brisbane, which reported an 81 per cent preliminary clearance rate, with some incredible stories to boot.

Spring may be coming to a close but most agents and auctioneers across the country will be working right up til Christmas, with hoards of buyers filling the streets and wanting to jump at property before the year ends.

Nationally there was an average of 3.7 registered bidders per auction, with 2.8 bidders actively participating in bidding.

The highest sale of the day came in from Ray White Upper North Shore agent Jessica Cao, who sold 3 Allan Street, Roseville Chase under the hammer for $3.85 million. The home was sold by a family who lovingly cared for it, and purchased by a downsizer who wants to take advantage of the lovely yard and garden.

The property which attracted the most bidders was 1 Gothic Court in Sunshine West, where agent Marcus Fregonese from Ray White Sunshine in Melbourne attracted 16 registered bidders on the day. The property sold for $1.002 million after six of the bidders were actively participating in the auction.

According to data from NurtureCloud, Ray White agents met 21,216 buyers at open homes across the country today, with the most number of bidders showing up for 47 Sedgeford Road, North Beach in Western Australia. Ray White Keevers Group’s Cam Keevers met a huge 54 groups at the three-bedroom character home.

David McMahon, Ray White NSW head of auctions, said: “We saw a slight increase in volume from last week as we scheduled 185 auctions today, which is a positive sign leading into December.”

He added that recent economic updates had not deterred buyers: “The recent news on inflation and how that will impact future interest rate announcements doesn’t seem to have impacted buyer confidence today, as we averaged 2.3 active bidders.”

41 Palmerston Avenue, Bronte (pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $3.835 million

• 12 registered bidders, six active

• Lead agent: Angus Gorrie - 0418 282 853

• Ray White Eastern Beaches

• Auctioneer: James Hayashi, Ray White

A highly unusual offering in Bronte sold under the hammer for $3.835 million after attracting 12 registered bidders, with six active on the day. Lead agent Angus Gorrie said buyer interest was intense from the outset, with 100 groups inspecting the property in the first two weeks and 30 contracts issued.

The home, which has been vacant for about 20 years and remarkably, has no front door, was certainly not for everyone.

“A lot of people came one metre into the house and left straight away,” Mr Gorrie said. “It’s been vacant for 20 years and has no front door. It is not for everyone!”

The eventual purchasers were a father-and-son team in the building industry. The son, in his early 20s, plans to knock the property down and build a brand-new home on the drop-down slope block. Mr Gorrie said there were offers of around $3.3 million through the campaign, and the competitive bidding pushed the result well beyond that level. He said that limited information was available about the sellers due to the decades-long vacancy of the property.

Auctioneer James Hayashi presided over the event, one of three Eastern Suburbs auctions that day with double-digit bidder registrations. Reflecting on broader market sentiment, Mr Gorrie said, “The eastern suburbs in general are fantastic; all three of our auctions today have had 10-plus bidders. People think the market will kick next year, so it will be a strong end to the year.”

3 Allan Street, Roseville Chase (sellers pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $3.85 million

• Seven registered bidders, five active

• Lead agent: Jessica Cao - 0466 877 260

• Ray White Upper North Shore

Jessica Cao from Ray White Upper North Shore said the winning bidder was a downsizer moving from an apartment who longed for a garden and a low-maintenance home. “She just wants a gorgeous garden and yard,” Ms Cao said, noting the buyer’s love of orchids and the home’s sunny spots perfect for her flowers.

The sellers, a family with a teenage child, have cherished the home but are now looking to relocate closer to their child’s school. Ms Cao said the double-brick classic appealed to a broad buyer pool - including developers, young families and downsizers - thanks to its presentation, manageable gardens, proximity to schools and public transport, and its single-level layout with no pool. “This house didn’t need to be staged; everyone could feel the love they put into this home,” she added.

Seller, Haiyun, said the result left them “in shock but definitely so, so happy,” admitting they were nervous about the auction process but felt confident in Jessica’s hands. “Right before the auction I was a nervous wreck,” she said. Moments after selling, the family headed to another auction, joking about the possibility of selling and buying on the same day. Reflecting on their time in the home, Haiyun said they were thrilled the downsizer secured it: “We really wanted that lovely lady to get it, and we could tell how much she loved it. She is a gardener and is going to do beautiful things with the yard.”

2/263 Victoria Road, Drummoyne (buyer pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $1.035 million

• Five registered bidders, four active

• Lead agent: Mario Carbone - 0415 457 417

• Ray White Drummoyne

Mario Carbone of Ray White Drummoyne said the winning buyer of the sun-filled apartment was a downsizing woman, while the remaining competition came mostly from first-home buyers drawn to the attractive price point.

He noted that the apartment’s standout feature was its unusually large terrace, which made it particularly appealing and “quite unique for an apartment.” The seller had previously lived in the property before moving overseas and chose to retain it as an investment.

The seller, Natasha, said that she could not have been happier with the smooth process even whilst being an absentee seller.

“We couldn’t be happier with our experience. Even though we were based overseas, Mario and Jessica made the entire selling process seamless. Their consistent communication, reliability, and dedication exceeded all expectations. We are thrilled with the incredible result!

“I reached out to Mario a couple of years ago and although we decided not to sell at the time, I knew from that moment that he would be our agent once we were ready. We are over the moon that we decided to go down the auction route”

“Leading up to the auction I was anxious with the time of year leading into holidays, I wasn’t sure how the turnout would be. But we had a fantastic turnout and were well above registered average bidders, which is fantastic.”

32 Baldwin Ave, Asquith (sellers pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $2.886 million

• Eight registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Tim Latham - 0493 599 009

• Ray White Upper North Shore

A substantial contemporary entertainer in Asquith sold under the hammer for $2.886 million, breaking the suburb record by over $350,000.

Lead agent Tim Latham of Ray White Upper North Shore said it was a particularly special result. “I broke the record 12 years ago with this very home as well, so it is an absolute thrill to do it again,” he said.

The property, set on a large block in a quiet street just an eight-minute walk to the station, attracted a local buyer - a family including a man who was raised in the area and attended the local school. After several months of searching, they finally secured their dream home.

Mr Latham said that the market is increasingly “home-by-home sensitive.” He said that properties with large, level blocks are drawing strong demand, even if the existing homes on them are less significant. “If you are too far over the guide, then it is crickets at the open home,” he said.

Highlighting the value of the auction method, he said, “The auction is the only way to go with a home like this. We are feeling a bit of an oversupply of stock, and the auction counteracts that by putting a deadline for buyers. Days on market might start to blow out soon, and auctions are the best way to put a deadline.”

“Ray White agents have done a phenomenal job in delivering competition for our vendors this week,” said Luke Banitsiotis, Ray White Victoria chief auctioneer. “Average bidders across this week’s auctions sit at 2.7 per auction, showing there is great depth to the market still as we get closer to Christmas. While some media outlets are focusing on the RBA and their next move, the market is ignoring the narrative and looking to secure property before 2025 is over.”

He highlighted a standout example: “38 Valencia Street in Glenroy was a hotly contested midweek auction with five active bidders, showing the benefit of conducting your auction away from the traditional Saturday time slots. The wholesome story at this auction - two brothers bidding on behalf of their sister - were successful, proving that a brother’s love is unbeatable!”

11 Victoria Street, Williamstown (buyers pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $2.76 million

• Four bidders

• Lead agent/auctioneer: Dean Stanley - 0403 372 922

• Ray White Williamstown

Lead agent and auctioneer Dean Stanley said the campaign guided buyers with a quote range of $2.55-$2.65 million. “We announced the property on the market at $2.6 million,” he said, “and then had two buyers break away to get that final incredible winning result.”

The successful purchasers are a family from Pascoe Vale, new to Williamstown and drawn by the area’s strong schooling options. “They have two young children and both will be going to the local schools,” Mr Stanley said.

He said the sale was particularly meaningful given his longstanding connection to the vendors. “I have known the sellers for a really long time; I grew up at the lifesaving club with their kids,” he said. The seller, Linda, attended the auction on her own after recently relocating to Canberra to be closer to her son. “They were there for 41 years,” Mr Stanley said.

The buyer pool was mixed. “Two bidders were wanting to renovate, one wanted to knock it over to build a new home, and one developer was looking to put two new ones on,” he said. The winning buyers were renovators, a fact likely to comfort the selling family. “The selling family probably love that it is not being knocked down,” Mr Stanley said. “The home is absolutely rich in character - like a time capsule from the 1970s.”

2/3 Williamson Road, Ferntree Gully (seller pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $577,000

• Three bidders

• Lead agent: Cristine Jones - 0417 501 000

• Ray White Ferntree Gully

A humble two-bedroom brick unit in Ferntree Gully drew strong interest before selling to a young first-home-buying couple who had been searching for only a month and were on the verge of pausing their house hunt for the year.

Lead agent Cristine Jones said the seller, Maree, was moving into a retirement village. “I met her a few years ago when I was selling the unit next door,” Ms Jones said. “She is pleased that the terms were favourable, and the lovely young couple who purchased it are absolutely wrapped.”

She added that the auction attracted a real mix of first-home buyers, including some young families. “Location and affordability were the key factors in this one; close to the train station and it ticked a lot of boxes.”

The seller, Maree, said she was “feeling fantastic” and praised her agents. “They did a fantastic job, my agents,” she said. Having lived in the property for 15 years, she described it as a place of comfort and stability: “It always felt stable and enjoyable.”

Maree said she was “absolutely wrapped beyond words” for the young couple who secured it, adding, “They will really enjoy it.” She is now moving to a retirement village in Vermont, just ten minutes away and closer to her daughter. “I had such trust in Michael and Cristine to run with the auction method,” she said.

Gavin Croft, chief auctioneer of Ray White Queensland, said, “Twenty-seven days until Christmas means that we have seen an abundance of buyers trying to secure properties with 21-day settlement clauses. Active parties are doing everything they can to secure their dream home before the break. I have seen investors and owner-occupiers very motivated.”

He highlighted some of his great sales today, including a property at 12 Birch Close, Heathwood that sold for $1.7 million with four registered bidders. “A family secured it to get in for Christmas,” Mr Croft said, noting that Linda Le from Ray White Robertson managed the sale.

Another notable sale was 67 Birchwood Place in Stretton, which sold under the hammer for $2.075 million. “Three families with young kids wanted to be in the Stretton College catchment. They fought it out right to the end. The sellers and buyers were dancing, singing, and in tears with how happy the result was for everyone,” he said, with Jason Song from Ray White Rochedale managing that sale (pictured above).

“Overall, there was some real urgency from buyers. Volumes are starting to slow down now before the break, and we will do it all again in 2026.”

23 Stanley Terrace, East Brisbane (pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $3.625 million

• 15 registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Brandon Wortley

• Ray White Collective

• Auctioneer: Haesley Cush, Ray White

Brandon Wortley of Ray White Collective, supported by auctioneer Mr Cush, presided over the sale of this historic building. Haesley Cush said the auction began with a tactical and strong opening bid of $3 million, designed to test the field. “It saw a number of shoulders drop in the crowd. The arrival bidder stepped up to the challenge - they ended up being the underbidder,” he said. The property was ultimately sold to another buyer. “The strong opening bid knocked out most of the 16 bidders,” he said.

‘Caradon’, built in 1919 by John C. Hobbs, then-president of the Master Builders Association of Queensland, has stood for 106 years and retains many of its original features. Named after Caradon Hill in Cornwall, where Hobbs was originally from, the home carries both historical and sentimental significance.

The property was offered as part of a deceased estate, with proceeds to benefit sick and vulnerable animals, fulfilling the late owner’s wishes. Queensland Public Trustee (QPT) worked alongside Ray White to manage the sale and honour this philanthropic legacy. Reflecting on the broader market, Mr Cush said, “This is another example that the Brisbane market is going to roar all the way up until Christmas. We still have a lot of auctions to go for 2025.”

15 & 15A Grenfell Street, Mount Gravatt East (pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $1.96 million

• 15 registered bidders

• Lead agent: Mike Ho - 0433 529 221

• Ray White Sunnybank Hills

• Auctioneer: Gavin Croft, Ray White

Mike Ho of Ray White Sunnybank Hills, described the sale as a highlight of his career. “Both the buyer and seller are absolutely over the moon with the transaction today, and the auction was a proud moment for me,” he said. The long-term local owners, transitioning to their next chapter, had maintained the home carefully and committed to a transparent auction process to achieve the best outcome.

The property attracted a mix of buyer types, including small-scale developers and families seeking a new home on the double block, drawn by the strong land value and school catchments. On auction day, an owner-occupier successfully outbid all investors to secure the property, demonstrating the competitive nature of the market in this sought-after area.

47 Wellington Street, Petrie Terrace (pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $2,801,100

• Eight registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Michael Kleimeyer - 0401 691 631

• Ray White Paddington

Michael Kleimeyer of Ray White Paddington described the event as “truly one of the most remarkable auctions I have ever witnessed.” The auction featured three main bidders - a Chinese investor, an interstate investor, and a local Brisbane couple - who kept the bidding alive through over 230 bids, with the final two bidders even bidding in $300 increments.

The property, a relatively rare block of three flats for the area, attracted a mix of buyers: some intended to live in one unit and rent out the others, others were pure investors, and some planned to renovate and use units as Airbnbs.

The successful purchaser was a Sydney-based investor who had been trying to secure a property in Brisbane for 12 months and participated by phone. The sale was a receivership transaction, adding to the competitive tension and high level of interest on the day.

“As Adelaide gears up for the supercars this weekend, with Lenny Kravitz and AC/DC shaking the city, the energy isn’t just on the track or the stage - the South Australian property market is running just as hot, and Ray White is in pole position,” said John Morris, Ray White South Australia chief auctioneer.

“Last week we delivered an 81 per cent clearance rate on the day, while our competition sat at just 69 percent; that’s the difference between front-row qualifying and the midfield pack.

“This week we’re sitting at 77 percent - slightly softer, but just like race weekend, there’s a huge program still to come, and all signs are pointing to November finishing with a serious stadium-level bang.

“Buyer urgency is at full throttle, with average days on market at just 20 for auction, and there’s still time to sell before Christmas as long as you choose the auction method - private treaty is idling at 34 days.”

“Across the state, bidding is deep, campaigns are tight and buyers are accelerating hard as they try to secure something before the year wraps up. Owner-occupiers continue to power the market, but investors are revving back in, fuelled by strong rental demand and solid yield,” Mr Morris said.

Mark Whiteman, CEO of Ray White Western Australia said, “Strong crowds across Western Australia attended all auctions, showing the recent interest rate hold has not dampened buyers’ enthusiasm for property.”

He added, “The key issue remains the shortage of listings in the market, which saw today’s selling conditions continue to favour the seller.”

841 Geographe Bay Road, Busselton (pictured above)

• Sold under the hammer for $3.55 million

• Four registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Jason Cooper - 0407 770 426

• Ray White Stocker Preston

• Auctioneer: Mark Whiteman, Ray White

241A Marmion Street, Palmyra

• Sold under the hammer for $1.350 million

• Two registered bidders, both active

• Lead agent: Kat Goddard - 0408 791 299

• Ray White Dethridge Groves

• Auctioneer: Michael Harries, Ray White