Sellers happy with fitness centre result

THERE’S nothing like an auction to get buyers and sellers buzzing but the Big River Squash and Fitness Centre was sold just before the proposed auction.

Principal of Bailey & Gough First National Real Estate Rod Ford at the Big River Squash and Fitness Centre which sold shortly before it was due to go to auction. Photo JoJo Newby / The Daily Examiner. Picture: Jojo Newby

THERE'S nothing like an auction to get buyers and sellers buzzing.

The auction of Big River Squash and Fitness Centre was set to be a nail-biter on Friday night.

That was, until it was sold just before the proposed auction.

An out-of-town buyer with local business interests is the new owner of the centre.

First National Real Estate Bailey and Gough principal Rod Ford said the property sold for close to $600,000.

"All parties were suitably happy with the sale of the property prior to auction," Mr Ford said.

But members of the centre have no need to worry about any immediate impact on their gym and squash activities.

"The same family will stay on and run the centre," he said.

"But there will be construction work and changes to the building as we proceed through the year and the new owner introduces some exciting new business concepts."

Mr Ford said auctions as a method of selling brought varied results.

"It depends on where the properties are placed on the market and how the seller and buyer are positioned," he said.

"But they realise the market is at a potential turning point, so they're willing to get involved in an auction - and that's on both sides of the coin."

Mr Ford said Bailey and Gough had some interesting properties coming up for auction.

"We have three mortgagee sales on behalf of BCU, as well as Hubbard House in Fitzroy St, Grafton," he said.

Ray White Grafton sales consultant Peter Grainger said he had seen an increase in the level of interest in the property market over the past six months.

"Auctions put a timeline in place for both buyers and sellers," he said.

"There's that definite result on the night."

Ray White Grafton had six properties up for auction last month, all of which were residential.

"We sold two prior to auction and one under the hammer," Mr Grainger said.

"We then subsequently had two go under offer."

Originally published as Sellers happy with fitness centre result