Spring selling moves into high gear

In front of a crowd of 60 people, gun auctioneers Dexter Prack and Andrew Dimashki put on a 360-degree auction special show for the buyers and market watchers at 1/50 Fairview Road, Mt Waverley. There were five active bidders.

Mr Salanitri said the house came with “plenty of concrete for the next owner to water on a summer night”.

Mr Salanitri rose to fame as part of the Sooshi Mango group alongside his brother Carlo Salanitri and their best friend, Andrew Manfre.

The team regularly parodies Greek and Italian culture in their various skits, playing nonnas and ethnic dads in their viral videos.

In 2023, the trio made a dramatic career change after founding Johnny, Vince and Sam's Ristorante, an Italian-themed restaurant in Melbourne's famed Lygon Street entertainment precinct. Modelled after a 'typical' Nonna's home-kitchen, the eatery has proved very popular.

Mr Salanitri and wife Georgina have owned the 1/50 Fairview Rd, Mt Waverley, home for more than 10 years.

“I have made sure I boosted the concrete in the back yard and that’s been watered constantly,” he said.

“We have done quite a bit of work like rendering the facade and we did the garden up over the years.”

The three-bedroom unit was marketed by Ray White Judd White Group’s Andrew Dimashki.

“Andrew and I have been old friends for years and he sold me this home 10 years ago. Now it’s come full circle and he's sold it for me again,” Mr Salanitri said.

“We have beautiful memories in the home, and it’s the home where our kids were born, but we’re a growing family and it was time for us to move on.

“One of my favourite memories from living in the home was the day my son was born. We were going to the hospital and the old man who lives on the corner, his wife fell and he wanted me to help pick her up, so I did.

“When he realised that was the day my son was born, he’s spoiled my son since then.

“He was a lovely old man and he looked after the whole street! It’s a really lovely area.

“We have so many good memories with family and friends, and we hope the new owner will make some good memories as well.”

Mr Dimashki said the home was bought by a young couple.

“They are a local couple who had been looking for a long time. They came with a definite strategy, they didn’t bid until the home was called on the market. It’s a fantastic property. It’s a unit on a corner allotment, so it feels like its own home,” he said.

“It’s had a modern renovation with a new bathroom. It's in an awesome position in Mount Waverley with awesome schools, close to public transport, and across the road from the golf club.”

The top auction for the day was sold by Perth prestige agent Tim Caporn of Ray White Cottesloe | Mosman Park who sold 46 Gallop Road, Dalkeith under the hammer for $5,350,000. His sellers are retirees now moving to Melbourne to be closer to the family.

The auction with the highest number of registered bidders across the country today was in Adelaide. Ray White St Peters sales agent and auctioneer Liam McDevitt sold 32 Eighth Avenue, St Peters for $2,655,000 with 21 registered bidders and 10 active bidders.

The Ray White Group scheduled 525 properties to go under the hammer today, with a preliminary clearance rate of 76 per cent.

Buyers were out in force today, with Ray White recording an average of 4.4 registered bidders and 2.9 active bidders at its auctions today, both metrics higher than a year ago.

According to NurtureCloud, Ray White conducted 7684 open homes today, with a total of 33,975 attendees. The open home with the highest number of attendees was once again run by Ray White Unley gun agent Robbie Smith at 70 Charles St, Forestville who welcomed a whopping 88 people at this immaculate bluestone workers cottage today.

66 Australia Street, St Marys

• Sold under the hammer for $2.05 million

• 4 registered bidders, 2 active bidders

• Lead agent: Peter Diamantidis - 0404 051 702

• Ray White United Group

• Auctioneer: Alex Pattaro, Ray White

Peter Diamantidis has done it again.

He’s just cracked his own street record in Australia St, St Marys.

“We just topped the street record again. I have known the seller and her dad for more than 20 years and over that time I have probably sold 12 homes for this family. They are beautiful people, and they are in my database and they saw the house we recently sold for $1.91 million at 50 Australia St in mid-May.”

Seller Anna said she was so grateful to her parents, who initially sold the house to her and her husband in 2023.

“I am just so thankful and grateful to my parents who have helped set us up for our future,” she said.

“My dad was a property investor in St Marys, and he has exchanged a lot of houses with Peter over the years. We knew we would only sell with him, as Peter is the best. He made it all very easy - as much as going to auction is nerve wracking - his knowledge and his passion and his customer care is outstanding.

“We are hoping Peter and his team can find us something now in The Hills as they have the office there now.

Anna said she loved the level of detail she received as a seller through Ray White’s NurtureCloud property report. “The report gave us a lot of reassurance as to where the buyers were at, in terms of feedback.”

In the end it was a family from the Northern Beaches who bought the house as an investment property.

“The family came through about 2 weeks ago, and today they sent their son to the auction to bid and buy. It’s so busy right now, with lots of buyers out looking. We are averaging at least 20 buyers at each open home and things are moving fast,” Mr Diamantidis said.

7 Kuta Place Quakers Hill

• Sold under the hammer for $1,297,000

• 7 registered bidders

• Lead agent: Saby Arora - 0433 336 461

• Ray White Castle Hill

24 Calandra Avenue, Quakers Hill

• Sold under the hammer for $1,680,000

• 4 active bidders

• Lead agent: Saby Arora - 0433 336 461

• Ray White Castle Hill

There was double success for Ray White Castle Hill today with two record-breaking auctions in Quakers Hill today.

Ray White Castle Hill has continued its run of strong auction results with two standout sales in Quakers Hill today, both setting new street records.

Ray White Castle Hill director Phil Kelly praised the efforts of agents Saby Arora and Christian Fogarty, commending their precision and dedication throughout these campaigns.

“These results highlight the strength of our auction process and the energy our team brings to every campaign,” Mr Kelly said. “To achieve two street records in one day is a testament to the trust our clients place in us and the professionalism of our agents. Both results reinforce Ray White Castle Hill’s leading position in the local market, with demand for quality homes in Quakers Hill remaining exceptionally strong.”

2/8 Joffre Street, South Hurstville

• Sold under the hammer for $1.31 million

• 10 registered bidders, 5 active bidders

• Lead agent: Allen Yan - 0430 456 119

• Ray White Hurstville

Mr Yan said his sellers were moving to Melbourne. “The sellers are moving to Melbourne as it's cheaper to live there. The buyers are local downsizers who were keen to move into a townhouse. The auction opened at $1 million, jumped in $50,000 increments to $1.31 million.”

Ray White Victoria auctioneer Jake McIntryre said inspection numbers are up sharply across Melbourne, while stock levels are still limited. “Rate cuts have brought more buyers back into the market. First-home buyers are more active than ever due to the first home buyer grants and initiatives, and investor numbers are up to around 20 per cent of total buyer activity. All of that adds up to stronger demand and higher clearance rates, a clear sign of a confident, healthy market,” he said.

“We’re seeing larger crowds and more participation at auctions across Melbourne notably averaging around 55 people per auction this September, compared to 49 last year and inspections are up nearly 17 per cent year-on-year.

“Over the weekend, we’ll run more than 800 auctions nationwide with almost half of all auctions happening in Victoria. With rates lower and stock still tight, buyers are competing harder to secure the right home. It’s still very much a sellers’ market, but we’re seeing genuine engagement from all buyer segments, especially first-home buyers and investors. General market commentary has improved over the last months as well.”

1/50 Fairview Road, Mt Waverley

(for more information on this auction see the lead)

• Sold under the hammer for $1,180,000

• 5 active bidders

• Lead agent/auctioneer: Andrew Dimashki - 0401 457 755

• Ray White Judd White Group

22 Lynn Drive, Ferntree Gully

• Sold under the hammer $1.117 million

• 7 registered bidders and 6 active bidders

• Lead agent: Jack Rickard - 0425 350 047

• Ray White Ferntree Gully

Sellers Karl and Chris were thrilled with how the auction played out for their three bedroom home in Ferntree Gully today. “We actually bought off Jack eight years ago, and Fabien Sanelli was the auctioneer then too. We love the transparency of both buying and selling at auction. It’s all done, everyone knows where they stand, as everyone’s cards are on the table. We are only moving as we want a bit more space, and now we have a bigger budget to spend but we’ll be looking in the same area.”

Jack Rickards managed a very busy textbook auction campaign with 80 groups of buyers through, and several offers prior. “There was a lot of buyers at each open home, at least and it was a great auction, there were 35 bids in total and it kicked off at $1 million. In the end it was a young family upgrading from a unit who won the keys today. Investors have certainly been more active at inspections in recent weeks too.

10 Hoadley Ave, Frankston South

• Sold under the hammer for $1,300,000

• 8 registered bidders, 5 active bidders

• Lead agent: Ashley Weston - 0439 101 677

• Ray White Frankston

• Auctioneer: Jake McIntryre, Ray White

In front of a massive crowd, a young local family won the auction.

“There were two buyers’ advocates bidding plus we had a buyer online from Italy too.”

2/276 Williamstown Road, Yarraville

• Sold under the hammer $980,000

• 13 registered bidders, 5 active

• Lead agent: Terry Fitzpatrick

• Ray White Sunshine

• Auctioneer: Marcus Fregonese, Ray White

Mr Fregonese said the buyer has moved down from Brisbane, while the seller is upsizing in the inner west.

“This was a very busy campaign with more than 80 groups through and lots of second inspections. One thing I have definitely noticed is the investors are back, lots of investors are out at our open homes.”

Ray White Western Australia CEO Mark Whiteman said the network was on track to sell 100 per cent of its auctions again this week after completing a clean sweep of last week.

“The tight listing market and strong demand driven largely by population growth into the country's powerhouse economy have meant competition continues to build in the WA market.”

46 Gallop Road, Dalkeith

• Sold under the hammer for $5,350,000

• 7 registered bidders, 4 active bidders

• Lead agent: Tim Caporn - 0406 300 828

• Ray White Cottesloe | Mosman Park

• Auctioneer: Mark Whiteman, Ray White

Mr Caporn said this was a very sentimental sale for his sellers.

In front of a huge crowd of 100 people, the house sold to a lovely local family while the sellers are moving to Melbourne to be closer to their children

“I actually sold the land to my sellers some 24 years ago, and today was only the second time in 87 years that block had been sold. It’s a very special area. They are very happy with the result. The owners are so house proud and know the property inside and out! No doubt the new buyers will move in and love it for a long time to come,” Mr Caporn said.

The new buyers were a local family, and they all agreed that they loved this house the most.

This residence is a true landmark in the heart of Dalkeith with a 17m gas heated pool.

115 Forrest Street, Peppermint Grove

• Sold under the hammer for $3.755 million

• 5 registered bidders

• Lead agent: Jody Fewster - 0414 688 988

• Ray White Cottesloe | Mosman Park

• Auctioneer: Mark Whiteman, Ray White

When biological viticulturist and Silverstream Wines owner Tony Ruse purchased 115 Forrest Street, Peppermint Grove in December 2011, he saw more than just a character-filled home, he saw a living philosophy that mirrors his approach to winemaking.

"A great wine starts with quality soil," Tony Ruse reflected.

Tony Ruse is pictured above with the happy new buyers.

"When we saw this home, we saw the same principles at work, well-established gardens, healthy mature trees, and a landscape architect's vision that had since been nurtured over decades. The garden is incredible," Mr Ruse said.

Since 1973, Tony has been farming in Gingin, transitioning from Merino sheep to Silverstream Wines, where he practices biological viticulture without herbicides or pesticides. Certified as a Carbon Farmer in April 2023, his philosophy centers on soil health and sustainability.

"Nature's ability to sustain us relies on micro-organisms," he explains.

"We don't use chemicals at the vineyard, and I've applied the same respect for natural systems here. I installed a compost bin for the leaf litter, you work with nature, not against it."

The Ruse family lived in the house for 15 months while they were renovating and it has been a rental ever, popular with families with children in the local schools with a 100 per cent rental history.

"These established trees have taken decades to develop," he said. "You can renovate a house in months, but you can't quickly create these trees. This property offers something you simply cannot create quickly."

For this certified carbon farmer and biological viticulture advocate, 115 Forrest Street represents the same values that guide his winemaking: authenticity, patience, and respect for natural systems.

Ray White South Australia chief auctioneer John Morris said the state’s auction market is firing on all cylinders.

“The numbers are continuing to increase and once again, no surprises, Ray White is leading the charge. Last week we scheduled 76 auctions. Of those that went ahead, an incredible 97 per cent had bidding and more than 80 per cent sold on the day. 
That's a phenomenal outcome, especially when you stack it against the rest of the market, where the collective clearance rate of our competition sits at just 56 per cent,” Mr Morris said.

“So, when it comes to creating competition, it's clear Ray White knows how to run an auction campaign and get the best outcome for their sellers.

“And the momentum is still rolling - so far this week every single Ray White auction has had bidder participation.

“We've seen an average of nine bidders per auction with around four of them actively putting their hand up.

“A preliminary clearance rate this week already sits at 86 per cent, proving that confidence remains strong and buyers are still out in force right across South Australia. When it comes to auctions in our state, Ray White isn't just leading the market, we are defining it. m More bidders. More sales. More reasons to go to Ray White with your auction.”

Pictured above, Mr Morris at 12 Eastview Road, Brahma Lodge which sold under the hammer for $935,000 with a whopping 20 registered bidders. There were 6 active bidders

The lead agent Justin Irving of Ray White Salisbury, alongside agents Jake Flavel and Tamika Cooke, with her first ever auction sale.

40 Albert St, Semaphore

• Sold under the hammer for $1,965,000.

• 7 registered and 3 active bidders

• Lead agent: Alex Nilsen - 0432 036 907

• Ray White Port Adelaide

• Auctioneer: Sam Grover, Ray White

The happy new buyers of 40 Albert St, Semaphore will be moving to Adelaide from Sydney soon where they live on acreage.

Their son, Jesse has been looking for a home to buy so his parents could live in the same suburb as their 7 grandchildren.

“Mum and dad flew in from Sydney yesterday and Alex very kindly showed them through the house at a private viewing. That is important to note, as that showed Alex went above and beyond for us and his seller. I have been to a lot of auctions and this was great. I had competition right to the end with another bidder but I was determined to buy it,” Jesse said.

“My sister and I live just a few streets away, so this will be great for mum and dad to see their grandchildren and us regularly."

Jesse said the whole auction buying experience was very good.

“Alex is passionate and very knowledgeable. We had been looking at another heritage home one street away and the auction was on at exactly the same time, but mum and dad liked this one better.”

Jesse said his parents will look to add value and renovate the house and possibly add a pool for their grandchildren.

64 Rapid Ave, Lightsview

• Sold under the hammer for $960,000

• 5 registered and active bidders

• Lead agent: Blake Bryant - 0476 957 176

• Ray White Prospect

• Auctioneer: John Morris

Sellers Evan and Emma are upsizing from their Adelaide home after discovering they are now pregnant with twins.

Emma says she always wanted four children but her husband was happy with two. Their kids are now aged 3 and 4.

“I am one of four, so we decided to have a third child and it turned out we are now expecting twins and due in March. So we needed to upsize everything!” Emma said.

Today they sold their family home at 64 Rapid Ave, Lightsview of seven years to an investor.

Emma, wearing the auctioneer’s signature hat, is pictured above with her husband Evan, and John Morris and Blake Bryant of Ray White Prospect.

“We have owned the house since 2018. It has been a great area, with great parks. We had actually always wanted to upsize but getting pregnant with the twins has accelerated the plans," she said.

“Blake was good and friendly to work with, he is easy to talk to and good at communicating. We randomly met him at a house he was selling a while ago, we got chatting and he stayed in touch with us. This was actually only the second auction I have ever been to. It was full on. I was laughing and in tears, all the emotions! It must be way less nerve wracking if you are not the seller though!”

32 Eighth Avenue, St Peters

• Sold under the hammer at $2,655,000

• 21 registered bidders and 10 active bidders

• Lead agent Liam McDevitt and auctioneer - 0430 501 122

• Ray White St Peters

5 Frederick Street, Welland

• Sold under the hammer for $1,315,000

• Lead agent: Peter Kiritsis - 0411 501 520

• Ray White Woodville

68 Hawdon St, Wilston

• Sold under the hammer for $3,006,000 million

• 16 registered bidders, 6 active bidders

• Lead agent: Alistair Macmillian - 0410 636 221

• Ray White Wilston

• Auctioneer: Phil Parker, Ray White