Frankston North: Couple buy their first home in Melbourne while holidaying 3100km away in WA

“She screamed on the phone and started crying happy tears” – that was the reaction when a couple on holiday in Western Australia won an auction in Melbourne’s outer south east today.

There’s more than 3100km between Melbourne and Western Australia, but that did not stop a couple on holiday in WA buying this house at 83 Rosemary Cres, Frankston North.

A first-home buyer couple holidaying in Western Australia snapped up a Frankston North house when they joined the auction via telephone on Saturday.

OBrien Real Estate Frankston’s Mark Burke said one half of the pair, a woman, was overwhelmed to secure the three-bedroom home at 83 Rosemary Cres.

“She screamed on the phone and started crying happy tears,” Mr Burke said.

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He said the couple, who lived locally, had inspected the house multiple times before their holiday – and had requested to bid on the telephone prior to flying interstate.

Four bidders took part in the auction that began with a $530,000 bid.

The home, that was listed with a $530,000-$580,000 asking range, ended up selling for $575,000.

“That’s what I’d call a reasonable, decent price,” Mr Burke said.

“It’s a beautiful house in good condition that needed updating in the bathroom and kitchen.”

The house is close to shops, cafes, the Pines Forest Aquatic Centre and public transport.

There’s a shed in the large rear garden.

The residence features original timber floorboards, a split system reverse cycle airconditioner, laundry and dining area that opens up to the large back yard.

Set on a 634sq m block, there’s also a carport and shed.

Mr Burke said about 47 people watched the auction unfold.

“The Frankston North area is where first-home buyers are looking at seriously and investors are coming back,” he said, adding that he was now fielding calls from both Melbourne and Sydney-based investors about the area.

“Investors are probably 30 per cent of our market now,” Mr Burke said.

“At one stage they were zero.”

The kitchen features a freestanding gas oven and cooktop, while the adjoining dining area opens to the back garden.

There’s multiple primary and secondary schools nearby, as well as parks and reserves.

Mr Burke said the Victorian government’s increased land tax on secondary and investment properties, introduced in 2024, was one reason behind the previous lack of investors.

But he said some investors did not realised they could claim the increased land tax on their tax return – although there was usually a 12-month wait between paying the land tax and then getting the money back under the return.

Mr Burke predicted that 2025 was “going to be a huge year for auctions”.

“Buyers are starting to panic because we’re expecting a rate cut,” he said.

He said that history showed that when interest rates went down, prices usually rose as competition increased among buyers.

“Smart buyers are jumping on the front foot an buying now,” Mr Burke said.

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Originally published as Frankston North: Couple buy their first home in Melbourne while holidaying 3100km away in WA