Weather can't keep the bidders away

Ray White New South Wales head of auctions Perry Edmondson-Clark said it was a very wet day across Sydney today but those keen buyers couldn’t be washed away.

“Preliminary data is showing on average four registrations per auction with competitive bidding.

“There is plenty of commentary around what the market might look like over the next few months; we have Easter and ANZAC Day long weekends as well as an Reserve Bank rate decision next week, and of course the election now looming in May.

“Despite all the distractions, stock volume remains consistent and buyer activity is strong. Now remains a great time to come to the market,” Mr Edmondson-Clark said.

139 St Johns Rd, Glebe

• Sold under the hammer for $2.5 million

• Three registered bidders, all active

• Lead agent: Matthew Carvalho - 0404 006 744

• Ray White Surry Hills | Alexandria | Glebe | Erskineville

• Auctioneer: Tim Snell, Ray White

Matthew Carvalho sold the mixed-use residence and shop in conjunction with Kristian Morris from RWC City Fringe, to double the expertise in both residential and commercial.

“The opening bid was $1.9 million . It sold for more than we were expecting; the owner was thrilled with the result,” Mr Carvalho said.

“Interest was mainly from owner occupiers; two groups were architects looking to use the office and live upstairs.”

The eventual winning bidders were a young couple who planned to turn the whole building into a residence.

1 Lakewood Dr, Woodcroft

• Sold under the hammer for $1.7 million

• Nine registered bidders, six active

• Lead agent: Abhilav Verma - 0420 222 282

• Ray White Colebee

• Auctioneer: Perry Edmondson-Clark, Ray White

This was an all-time suburb record for Woodcroft.

Abhilav Verma said the uniqueness of the property; the land size and features attracted a lot of interest.

“We ran a great social media campaign. The buyers loved the way we marketed the property,” Mr Verma said.

The winning bidders were an owner occupier family from Blacktown.

“The sellers are downsizing and have bought another property from us in Colebee. They bought it 25 years ago and they were emotionally attached to this home. There were over 60 people inside the house, it was an amazing vibe.”

39 Penkivil St, Willoughby

• Sold under the hammer for $4.951 million

• Two registered bidders, both active

• Lead agent: John McManus - 0425 231 131

• Ray White Lower North Shore

Mr McManus said the sellers are relocating in the same area and were absolutely over the moon with the result. Bidding for the stylish dual-level home started at $4.5 million.

“The buyers are renting in Chippendale and they are originally from China. They are looking for a bigger house to start a family,” Mr McManus said.

“The market is quite tough at the moment. The properties that tick all the boxes are selling really well; if there is one element missing then it is really hard to get across the line.”

54 Highfield Rd, Lindfield

• Sold under the hammer for $3.76 million

• Three registered bidders, all active

• Lead agent: Jessica Cao - 0466 877 260

• Ray White Upper North Shore

Jessica Cao said the sellers were a local family who are downsizing.

“They want a smaller house that is easier to manage but they still want to stay in the beautiful area. The winning bidder was a lady who fell in love with the location. Her husband hasn't seen the property yet, but she was the decision maker!”

3 Walar Cres, East Killara

• Sold under the hammer for $3.9 million

• Four registered bidders

• Lead agent: Jessica Cao - 0466 877 260

• Ray White Upper North Shore

Ms Cao said the property had been in the same family for 50 years and the mother passed away last year; the kids were selling the house.

“There were a lot of tears as you can imagine the memories in this house.

“As soon as the house was sold, they started bringing out a feast of food for the whole family. They also welcomed the buyers in for celebratory champagne,” Ms Cao said.

The buyers were a local family who are going to do a renovation on the family home.

Ms Cao then went on to sell 114 Koola Ave, East Killara for $3.361 million with six registered bidders. Both the buyers and sellers were local young families.

162 Denison St, Newtown

• Sold under the hammer for $2.07 million

• Nine registered bidders, four active

• Lead agent: Shaun Stoker - 0424 172 217

• Ray White Surry Hills | Alexandria | Glebe | Erskineville

• Auctioneer: James Keenan, Ray White

Shaun Stoker said the winning bidder of this two bedroom cottage was a young first home buyer couple who had been looking for four months. They were absolutely thrilled to secure a home.

“This was an investment property for the sellers, and they recently decided to cash in as they approach retirement,” Mr Stoker said.

“If the property ticks all the boxes then it does really well. There are buyers everywhere but they are happy to wait and move onto the next property. There is less FOMO in the market.”

Ray White Victoria chief auctioneer Jeremy Tyrrell said with Australians now poised to hit the polling booths in five weeks time, the winning vote this weekend went to the real estate market, as buyers continued to turn out in numbers amidst growing market confidence.

“Across the state, the Ray White Victoria network held 290 auctions for the week, a marked increase on previous weeks.

“Competition was fierce with the average number of bidders climbing to 4.1 and the clearance rate holding strong at 77 per cent.

“Sellers with realistic expectations based on market feedback were the big winners this week,” Mr Tyrrell said.

1A Wallingford Street, Cheltenham

• Sold under the hammer for $980,500

• Two bidders

• Lead agent: Trevor Bowen - 0417 501 327

• Ray White The Bayside Group

• Auctioneer: Greg Bryon, Ray White

Trevor Bowen said the final three bids of this auction were $100, $400 and $50. The final $50 bid won the auction for young couple Andrew and James, with their fur babies Evie and Theo in tow.

“The lovely young couple who purchased it also had their parents out from the UK to help them with their home search; they have missed out on auctions over the last few weekends,” Mr Bowen said.

“This home on its own title is In the ‘golden triangle’; close to shops and transport. It is a really nice home with two oversized bedrooms on its own title,” he said.

“The sellers want to upsize because they have two teenage boys, they need a three bedroom.”

18 Caton Ave, Coburg

• Sold under the hammer for $1.505 million

• Two bidders

• Lead agent/auctioneer: Raphael Calik-Houston - 0404 890 888

• Ray White Coburg

Raphael Calik-Houston said that the home had one owner for 50 years and the children were selling the property as their dad moved into care.

“The winning bidder are a family who own next door and are hoping to one day combine the blocks.

“The underbidder was another family who were renting in Brunswick and were wanting something bigger.

“It was a great auction; with bidding starting at $1.38 million. People were attracted to the location and block size; it is a really great pocket in Coburg.

Mr Calik-Houston said the market was stable at the moment and described it as fair for both sides. “It is not overly exciting but it is not down in the dumps either. Most people’s expectations are being met.”

3 Almurta Cres, Coolaroo

• Sold under the hammer for $670,000

• Nine bidders

• Lead agent/auctioneer: Stefan Stella - 0422 093 149

• Ray White Pascoe Vale

Stefan Stella said the humble brick home attracted five local owner occupiers and four interstate investors to the bidding.

“The winning bidder was an 18-year-old first home buyer; he was there with his dad and his uncle and he plans to live in the property.

“It was a one-owner home for 54 years. There were four generations of the family living there over the years. Three sisters were the beneficiaries and were very happy with the result,” Mr Stella said.

2 Witney Way, Bundoora

• Sold under the hammer for $967,000

• Seven bidders

• Lead agent: Alice Rossi - 0491 184 616

• Ray White Bundoora

Alice Rossi said the winning bidder was a young first home buyer couple.

“They missed out on a couple of other auctions so we are thrilled for them.

“The seller moved here when he was two-years-old. It was in his family for a very long time. His parents left the property to him and he has raised his own child there. It was a very emotional decision to sell but they are moving closer to his wife’s family,” Ms Rossi said.

Ray White Queensland chief auctioneer Gavin Croft said serious buyers brought out their umbrellas today in Brisbane’s wild weather.

“It was stronger out there than what I anticipated today and I truly thought the rain would dampen spirits. For those out to secure a property, nothing could stop them.

“Personally I had an average of 3.5 - 4.5 registered bidders today. There were strong results both north and south of the river in Brisbane,” Mr Croft said.

601/13-15 The Esplanade, Maroochydore

• Sold under the hammer for $5.1 million

• Five registered bidders, two active

• Lead agent: Niall Molloy - 0448 954 272

• Ray White Maroochydore

• Auctioneer: Dan Sowden, Ray White

Niall Molloy said the auction method was the way to go for this sub-penthouse with panoramic views of Cotton Tree.

“It is a pretty special property and we knew that we didn’t want to put a ceiling on the price. The winning bidder was extremely eager from the start of the campaign. They are local downsizers who I have known for many years. They wanted to stay in the same location, and this apartment suits their needs better,” Mr Molloy said.

“We are lucky that markets change all the time, but the premium apartment market up here in Maroochydore consistently performs. The typical buyers for these are usually cash buyers and they are not concerned about interest rates and fluctuations.”

46 Angliss St, Wilston

• Sold under the hammer for $3.55 million

• Three registered bidders, two active

• Lead agent: Alistair Macmillan - 0410 636 221

• Ray White Wilston

• Auctioneer: Mitch Peereboom, Ray White Wilston

Mr Macmillan said the auction started at $3 million and it went up in $100,000 rises very quickly.

“We paused the auction at $3.5 million, and then the owners put it on the market at $3.55 million.

“This same property transacted for $1.8 million two years ago, and these owners did a cosmetic renovation. The sellers were absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

“The buyers have just sold a house in Wilston too, and today was the first time they had seen the house. They are a couple with an adult son who will live downstairs when he is in town,” Mr Macmillan said.

12 North St, Kedron

• Sold under the hammer for $1.155 million

• Seven registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Andy Flanagan - 0412 318 086

• Ray White Ascot

• Auctioneer: Phil Parker, Ray White

Andy Flanagan said the winning bidders were a young local family who were upsizing.

“The sellers have lived here for a while and were looking for a change, they are now on the property hunt.

“The market is really active; there is a lot of competition in Kedron. All of our Kedron properties attract huge bidder numbers and this is the fourth property we have sold in the street.”

Ray White South Australia chief auctioneer John Morris said Mad March had almost come to an end in Adelaide, but there was still one weekend left of entertainment, with record breaking numbers of auctions going ahead today.

“Ray White still has the lion's share of auctions. Our clearance rate is higher than that of our competitors, with a 75 per cent rate last week compared to CoreLogics report of 64 per cent of all auctions.

“It is looking like this weekend will be extremely strong, with volume set to drop slightly next week,” Mr Morris said.

25 Stanley St, Woodville

• Sold under the hammer for $1.566 million

• Six registered bidders, four active

• Lead agent: Peter Kiritsis - 0411 501 520

• Ray White Woodville

Peter Kiritsis said he recently sold the vendors one of the best and most expensive homes in the Woodville area.

“This one that they have been living in was partially renovated. They are only a few hundred metres away now. They are a beautiful young family who love the area and moving to a fully renovated house made life easier for them,” Mr Kiritsis said.

“The buyer was a Port Power football player; this is his first home. Him and his partner will be moving in and renovating it further.”

66 Shierlaw St, Richmond

• Sold under the hammer for $870,000

• Four registered bidders, all active

• Lead agent: Peter Kiritsis - 0411 501 520

• Ray White Woodville

Mr Kiritsis said four young couples were chasing this property, which needed some love and renovation.

“They were all tradie types who were keen to buy their first home and renovate. The young man who bought the home is an electrician. Him and his partner can’t wait to get started on the renovation,” Mr Kiritsis said.

“It was an investment property for the owners who actually live next door and are putting their home on the market as well. They will be moving to the beach for retirement.”

Mr Kiritsis went on to to sell 11 Moreton Street, Kidman Park for $1.3 million under the hammer.The sellers were a young family upsizing to a large home nearby, and the buyers were also upgrading.

9 Frith St, Elizabeth Grove

• Sold under the hammer for $570,500

• Seven registered bidders, three active

• Lead agent: Jaya Prageeth - 0430 397 878

• Ray White Para Hills

• Auctioneer: John Morris, Ray White SA

Mr Prageeth said the sellers, a father and son duo Brendan and Sean, have actually just purchased their old family home in Riverland.

“30 years ago the property was sold, and finally they have bought back their old family home through Ray White Clare Valley principal Mark O’Meagher,” Mr Prageeth said.

Mr Prageeth said that the attraction for bidders was the land size and street frontage. The bidders were a mix of investors and owner occupiers.

7 Knight Court, Salisbury East

• Sold under the hammer for $571,000

• Two registered bidders, both active

• Lead agent: Brijesh Mishra - 0430 140 905

• Ray White Para Hills

• Auctioneer: John Morris, Ray White SA

On Friday night, the Ray White Para Hills team also sold 273 Peachey Road, Smithfield Plains under the hammer for $655,000.

22 Mitchell St, Highbury

• Sold under the hammer for $985,000

• 11 registered bidders, six active

• Lead agent: Vanessa Bianco - 0426 031 255

• Ray White Norwood

• Auctioneer: George Kargiotis, Ray White

Vanessa Bianco said the winning bidders were a young couple upsizing.

“The sellers were the original owners who built the home and they have decided to downsize. They were really emotional about leaving the family home, but it was nice to pass it onto the next generation. They really wanted it to go to someone who would live in it, which it did.”