Herald Sun Real Estate auction blog: Live streams and rolling updates from the auction market
TV presenter Brett McLeod has scored a spectacular price under the hammer for his Fitzroy North store conversion. Catch up here on all of the city’s weekend auction action.
Melbourne auctions are being held exclusively online for a second week in a row under the city’s strict sixth Covid-19 lockdown.
But the shutdown hasn’t deterred buyers and sellers, with 757 homes set to go under the hammer across greater Melbourne, according to realestate.com.au.
Follow all the live action here on the Herald Sun’s auction blog via Gavl.
We’ll also be posting here regularly with rolling updates on sales as they happen.
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97 DELBRIDGE ST, FITZROY NORTH
Ending our auction coverage is the spectacular sale of TV presenter Brett McLeod’s Fitzroy North corner store conversion.
The 1884-built abode at 97 Delbridge St was listed with a price guide of $2.7m-$2.9m ahead of McLeod’s return to Channel 9’s London bureau later this month.
Six bidders threw their hats into the ring for the renovated four-bedroom residence, which has become a Melbourne tourist attraction thanks to a rainbow-coloured ‘Yes’ painted on the side wall.
Bidding started at $2.7m and the property was called on the market at $2.95m.
About 39 bids carried the result to its huge $3.29m final figure.
Nelson Alexander auctioneer Tom Roberts told those gathered at the Saturday afternoon auction the home had once served as a corner store and an art gallery.
Features include two formal living areas, a large formal dining room, soaring ceilings, fireplaces with decorative mantels and ornate ceiling roses.
Mr Roberts said schools and Fitzroy’s vibrant cafe and retail precinct were all within easy reach.
“You are not just buying the bricks and mortar, you are buying into the community, which is something our vendors have certainly expressed they are going to miss,” he said.
102 ADELE AVE, FERNTREE GULLY
A massive 1473sq m Ferntree Gully block has sold for a similarly massive price at auction.
The brick three-bedroom residence at 102 Adele Ave barrelled past its $1.1m-$1.2m price guide when it sold for $1,435,500.
Eight keen bidders comprised of developers and investors fought it out for the keys.
Stockdale and Leggo auctioneer Robert Spano said more than 137 bids were placed and the auction took over an hour before a victor emerged.
The block was marketed as a prime development opportunity with capacity to build multiple townhouses.
It is in an enviable location within walking distance to the Mountain Gate shopping centre, schools, parks and a short drive from Ferntree Gully train station.
17 HIGHLANDS RD, THOMASTOWN
A huge 95 bids has carried the sale of a retro brick charmer in Thomastown $126,500 beyond reserve to more than $1m.
The internal decor of the three-bedroom solid brick home at 17 Highlands Rd acts as a time machine transporting visitors back to the 70s.
But Harcourts Rata & Co agent Andrew DeSanto said that didn’t stop the auction stretching out for 45 minutes as seven bidders – all investors – fought it out under the hammer.
The residence ultimately sold for $1,026,500 – eclipsing the $900,000 reserve.
It had been advertised for $750,000-$825,000.
“The property is in a great location, just a short walk to Thomastown train station, High St shops and easy access to the M80. (It was also) good sized land for development,” Mr DeSanto said.
30 KOONUNG RD, BLACKBURN NORTH
A staggering 166 bids have been placed for a three-bedroom abode in a quiet tree-lined Blackburn North street this weekend.
Ten bidders battled it out for 30 Koonung Rd, which sold for an incredible $1,295,500 – more than $300,000 beyond the top of the home’s advertised range.
The residence had been listed with a price guide of $900,000-$990,000.
Ray White agent Jarrod Tyler said the competition for the keys stretched on for an hour and 20 minutes before the hammer finally fell.
The older-style residence is close to schools, shops and transport and sits on a 628sq m block.
It was sold as a renovator or developer’s dream with scope to add value through modern renovations or to tear down and redevelop with the council’s approval.
7A DREW ST, KEILOR EAST
A downsizer has beaten three other bidders to the keys of a pretty three-bedroom weatherboard in Keilor East on Saturday.
Bidding for 7A Drew St kicked off at $800,000 and rose quickly between two bidders before two others entered the fray.
The residence sold for $1.016m — $146,000 more than the vendor’s reserve.
It had been advertised for $840,000-$870,000.
Nelson Alexander agent Mark Giardina said the buyer had recently sold a larger home in the area and was looking to downsize to a smaller home.
It’s eye-catching street frontage, low-maintenance design and location just walking distance from shops, eateries, parks and schools, were the main selling points, he said.
25 CAMBRIAN WAY, MELTON WEST
An immaculately-maintained residence in Melton West has outstripped its reserve by $65,000 when it sold to a first-home buyer.
Four bidders competed for the three-bedroom home at 25 Cambrian Way, which flew past its $450,000 reserve to sell for $515,000 on Saturday.
It had been advertised for $440,000-$480,000.
The residence occupies a big 749sq m block and has two separate living areas, a large kitchen and a main bedroom with a walk-in robe and an ensuite.
There’s also a huge paved outdoor entertaining area and two sheds, one with space for two cars.
Reliance Real Estate agent Varun Vagdhan said buyers loved the property’s land size, its location near schools and parks, and the fact it had been kept in a “nice condition”.
“Overall (it’s a) very good property and rightly priced,” Mr Vagdhan said.
191 BARKLY ST, BRUNSWICK
A tired and dated Brunswick pad has drawn fierce competition at auction on Saturday which resulted in it selling $193,500 over reserve.
Six bidders threw their hats into the ring for the four-bedroom family home at 191 Barkly St, which went under the hammer at 11am and ultimately sold for $1,343,500.
Woodards auctioneer Glen Bartlett told attendees at the online auction streamed via Gavl the home had been held by the vendor’s family for decades.
It was one of a “diminishing” number of unrenovated older style homes in the area and was close to Barkly Square, Lygon St and Sydney Rd shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and trams.
“I don’t think you could be lucky enough to be any better serviced,” Mr Bartlett said.
The residence was listed with an asking price of $1.05m-$1.15m and more than 40 bids were placed.
Mr Bartlett told the Herald Sun after the auction the buyer planned to renovate the existing property.
10 SNEDDON DRIVE, NARRE WARREN SOUTH
The lighting-fast sale of a neat but dated three-bedroom Narre Warren South pad has resulted in it selling at the top of its $600,000-$650,00 the range.
A first-home buyer bought 10 Sneddon Drive for $650,000 just 26 hours after it was listed.
Stockdale & Leggo agent Keith Sloan said he believed the buyer was feeling the pressure of their upcoming wedding planned for October and just wanted to get the deal done.
“Overall I had eight offers through within a three hour time frame,” Mr Sloan said.
“The owners were very keen to move on a property they had also seen that day and needed to submit an unconditional offer by the coming Monday.
“The activity they received in such a short time frame and the volume of interest allowed them to make an informed decision to accept the unconditional offer at the top end of the range.”
21 LEARY AVE, BENTLEIGH EAST
A sprawling four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in the popular McKinnon Secondary College school zone has smashed its reserve by $350,000 after just one week on the market.
Buxton Bentleigh director Simon Pintado said three young families threw their hats into the ring for 21 Leary Ave, Bentleigh East, which eclipsed its $2.2m reserve when it sold for $2.55m.
It had been advertised for $2.15m-$2.2m.
Mr Pintado said there was lots to love about the modern pad, with its multiple living zones, high-end finishes and position near good schools.
The residence counts a huge kitchen with a stone island bench, a big home office, a spacious living area warmed by a gas log fireplace, and an impressive garden and outdoor entertaining zone among its long list of features.
“This was a beautiful, large family home that could accommodate a growing family,” Mr Pintado said.
11/58 MIDDLE RD, MARIBYRNONG
A first-home buyer has ended their property search after scoring a tastefully renovated three-bedroom townhouse at auction.
The two-level brick abode at 11/58 Middle Rd, Maribyrnong, has a modern kitchen, a revamped bathroom, new flooring, fresh carpets and spectacular views from the first-floor main bedroom.
Nelson Alexander agent Julie Adams said the auction was brought forward from Saturday to Wednesday after the vendor received an impressive $715,000 early offer.
It ultimately sold $40,000 beyond reserve for $740,000, with two first-time buyers competing under the hammer.
It had been advertised for $650,000-$700,000.
“The offer was challenged by another buyer for $725,000 and it went to a zoom auction resulting in a sale,” Ms Adams said.
107 ROWELL AVE, CAMBERWELL
A Camberwell period abode owned by the same family for 60 years has sold after having spent just 10 days on the market prior to the city’s sixth lockdown.
The three-bedroom residence at 107 Rowell Ave was snapped up by a local family midweek for an undisclosed price in the vicinity of $3m, Marshall White agent Perry Zhou said.
The residence had been advertised with a $2.3m-$2.5m price guide, with five bidders consisting of developers, investors and owner occupiers vying for the keys.
Mr Zhou said the auction was brought forward after a strong $2.8m early offer that eclipsed the reserve.
A family hoping to eventually knock down the residence and one day build their dream home won the bidding.
The residence counts lofty high ceilings, heritage architecture, a marble open fireplace and parquetry floors among its features.
Just two open for inspections were held prior to the auction.
“Even though the sales campaign was disrupted by snap lockdown number six, it didn’t stop one interested party making a strong offer which triggered a competitive zoom auction,” Mr Perry said.
“It’s evident that demand is still prolific for the right properties despite the lockdown.”
Marshall White’s Elsa Li was the co-listing agent.
73 ROSE AVE, TEMPLESTOWE LOWER
A four-bedroom Templestowe pad has stunned after it sailed almost $200,000 beyond price expectations.
Four keen bidders battled it out for 73 Rose Ave, which sold to a young family with two children for $1.59m.
Jellis Craig agent Anthony Pittas said bidding was called on the market at $1.4m, and the property’s 726sq m block ripe for development was a big drawcard.
The buyers loved that it was close to great schools and in a safe neighbourhood. The home was also on a flat block, which he said was “rare” for the area.
The home had been advertised for $1.25m-$1.35m.
“For this reason, together with great dimensions including a wide frontage, it appealed to developers,” Mr Pittas said.
“The home is semi-renovated, which was attractive to home buyers and it is great for investors who are looking for an excellent return on their investment.”
6/1 NORTH AVE, BENTLEIGH
Downsizers have scooped up a low-maintenance “mini house” at 6/1 North Ave, Bentleigh.
Two buyers competed for the keys to the two-bedroom brick unit after just one virtual inspection.
It ultimately sold $70,000 over reserve for $850,000 and was advertised for $750,000-$780,000.
“The property itself was incredibly neat, had a house size feel and a huge wrap around courtyard,” Buxton director Simon Pintado said.
“It was essentially a mini house rather than a villa unit. These types of properties are hot commodities.”
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Originally published as Herald Sun Real Estate auction blog: Live streams and rolling updates from the auction market
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