Noosa ‘brick box’ sells for whopping $7.25m as Covid-19 three-day snap lockdown fails to stop auction success

Covid-19 lockdowns are not expected to deter cashed up bidders at weekend auctions in Noosa, according to insiders. And here is why.

Real estate agents in hot property area Noosa are confident upcoming auctions will continue to be big business despite the region being thrown into a snap three-day Covid-19 lockdown.

The call comes after prestige real estate agent Tom Offermann sold a basic waterfront brick house in Noosa Heads for more than $7 million on June 25.

He said the increased pandemic restrictions around the country would only fuel the desire of many cashed up buyers to escape to Noosa’s wide open spaces.

“Most of our auctions we have bidders standing six to 10 deep,” Mr Offermann said.

The Daily reported last April the fear of missing out and interstate demand was driving up property prices across the Sunshine Coast.

And experts predict the real estate boom could last longer than expected.

Mr Offermann said he expected his two auctions on Saturday and one on Sunday would do brisk business, no matter what pandemic restrictions may be imposed.

The house second from bottom left has sold for more than $7 million at auction in Noosa.

The modest brick home on 22 Wesley Court, which was owned by a 98-year-old woman since 1984, had 11 registered bidders and sold for $7.25 million.

“It tells you there must have been $50 million plus there on the footpath with cash ready to buy, so it gives you an insight into the depth of the market,” Mr Offermann said.

“It was a very modest brick, single level home.

REIQ advised agents were still allowed to have home inspections if they followed CovidSafe procedures, with no more than three people including the agent at the property at the same time.

Mr Offermann said his agency was prepared to conduct this weekend’s auctions via zoom if the lockdown was extended.

“We anticipate there is essentially a high chance of them (the lockdowns) being extended,” he said.

He said bidders had the option to go on zoom or telephone agents and inform their contracted auctioneer Gordon MacDonald, who has done more than 200 online auctions.

The neat but basic interior of Noosa's latest multimillion sale.

Laguna Real Estate agent Warren Evans said he anticipated the lockdown would finish on Friday.

“If not, I believe provided everyone is masked up and we’ve got everyone registered with the QR code, and social distancing, I think we’re okay,” he said.

“We can also still do virtual auctions.”

Mr Evans said during the last extended lockdown people snapped up properties site unseen, usually based on building inspections or second hand reports from friends or family who may live locally.

The following auctions are happening on the weekend:

Saturday:

• A parcel of land at 2 Noosa River Drive, Noosa North Shore, at 10am
• a two-bedroom apartment at 8409/5 Morwong Drive, Noosa Heads, at 11am
• a three-bedroom home at 47 Wavecrest Drive, Castaways Beach, at 1pm
• a four-bedroom house at 245 Edwards Street, Sunshine Beach, at 1.45pm

Sunday:

• a three-bedroom house at 1 Parkridge Rd, Sunshine Beach, at 9.30am
• a seven-bedroom low set home at 19 Mackay Court, Tinbeerwah, at 11am
• a large parcel of Noosa North land on 2 Noosa River Drive, at 10am