Auctions return in a big way

THIS weekend marks the beginning of the 2021 auction season and members across the Ray White Group plan to start it with a bang.

Low interest rates, government subsidies and the sheer confidence Australians have in property have proven to be the perfect recipe to keep the real estate market functioning at a high rate.

Ray White Managing Director Dan White said while there were still broad risks to the economy, he still firmly believes now is a good time to come to the market given the basic fundamentals were sound.

“Buyer demand has never been so strong and all the indicators point to continued growth,” Mr White said.

“While 2021 is bound to be bumpy, we are well placed to handle any scenario thrown at us. There are grounds to believe the global economy can embark on a very robust recovery this year.”

This is never more evident than in the auction market where average registration numbers have continued to grow and open for inspections enquiries are through the roof. This weekend, the Ray White Group has 252 auctions scheduled across the country marking the beginning of what is expected to be a strong year for the housing market.

While many of us took a well earned break over Christmas, Sydney agents were hard at work securing stock and organising auctions. A move that paid off as the capital city’s auction market is ready to heat up this weekend.
Early in the morning, Ray White Surry Hills director Shaun Stoker and sales executive Moira Verheijen are confident they will be starting off their year of auctions with an impressive result.

Ray White auctioneer James Keenan will be bringing down the hammer on 132 Union St, Erskineville (pictured above) after a massive campaign. After more than 160 groups inspected the property and lines ended up around the corner, Ms Verheijen said the auction is sure to draw a huge crowd of buyers.

“On the very first open home we had 82 groups come through, the queue was down the street and around the corner,” Ms Verheijen said.

“Young couples have been falling over themselves to inspect the house, they’ve all been looking since the end of last year and come back from the break with gusto.”

The Surry Hills agent gave a price guide of $1,500,000.

Meanwhile, Ray White Upper North Shore director David Walker and sales associate Belinda Edwards will be busy with their own early morning auction. The four bedroom home at 2 Yanilla Ave, Wahroonga has been popular with young families who have been waiting for their chance to get into the Upper North Shore market.

Mr Walker has already overseen 180 inspections for the Wahroonga house which has a price guide of $1,800,000.

“With a medium sale price for the area, the auction is going to be a good reflection of the market. It’s a very traditional Wahroonga property which will suit a family looking to establish themselves in the suburb perfectly.”

Other standouts in Sydney are slated to be 16 Witney Street, Prospect selling through Troy Do of Ray White St Martins, 26 The Esplanade, Sylvania going to auction through Ray White Sutherland Shire’s Paul Moussa and 3 Kent St, Rockdale which is being marketed by Ray White Rockdale principal Con Economos. Also shaping up to be a great auction is 12 Meredith Ave, Kellyville which will go under the hammer through Ray White Castle Hill agent Kael Sharp.

The Melbourne auction market is also looking red hot after a brief hiatus that didn’t last as long as previous years. With skyrocketing buyer demand, the Ray White Melbourne network started auctions early this year, already proceeding with 86 to date, but this weekend will be the one to watch. This Saturday, there will be another 69 proceeding as buyers across the city vie for their chance to secure a new home.
It’s hard to name just one Melbourne auction highlight, with a host of crackers ready to sell under the hammer come Saturday, but one to watch will be 13 Salisbury St, Glenroy (pictured above). Marketed by Ray White Glenroy agent Sebastian Rello, the four week auction campaign is expected to be a success from start to finish after more than 130 inspections.

“We’re getting both first and second home buyers who want something well maintained and renovated in the last ten years like this one. The two living areas have been popular as has the second bathroom which is a must after the year we’ve had in Melbourne,” Mr Rello said.

The three bedroom home has a price guide of $810,000 to $870,000. Ray White Victoria | Tasmania chief auctioneer Matthew Condon will be conducting the auction.

Nearby, Ray White Brunswick agent Alex Ilyin and director Jamil Allouche also have another cracker on their hands with 2 Beckwith St, Coburg. Mr Ilyin, who will also be conducting the auction, said he’s had strong interest from young professionals and some investors trickling back into the market. The price guide is $740,000 to $780,000.

The picturesque home at 23 Wahroongaa Rd, Murrumbeena (pictured above) is also set to have new owners come Saturday after a successful auction campaign run by Ray White Carnegie’s Josh Hommelhoff and Matt Hurlston. Not only is the property the perfect family home but is also located on one of the best streets in Murrumbeena.
Mr Hommelhoff said throughout the campaign he’s overseen over 100 inspections and has given out a price guide of $1,800,000 to $1,900,000.

“We are seeing a lot of interest from families wanting to upsize and take advantage of the location. It just feels like home as soon as you walk in and has been perfectly maintained by the current owners,” Mr Hommelhoff said.

The Ray White Carnegie agent also added that the significant garage space which is unusual in the area has also been a big drawcard for families. Mr Hurlston will conduct the 11am on-site auction.
The great results will go into the afternoon as Ray White Cheltenham sales manager Alex Pearson calls the auction of his listing at 18 Crawford St. Mr Pearson has already overseen 150 inspections with a number of second inspections on the two bedroom townhouse.

“Interest is coming predominantly from downsizers and young couples looking for their second home. The current owners bought it five years ago and fully renovated it but just need something bigger as their family grows,” Mr Pearson said.

Watch the on-site and online auction here.

Other standouts include 19/34 Maroo St, Hughesdale which has had 160 inspections during the campaign run by Ray White Mount Waverley area managers Nicholas Richards and Rachel Ye. And Ray White Seddon agent Patrick Jamroz’s 10am auction at 2/105 Raleigh Rd, Maribyrnong that has been popular with first home buyers using government grants and schemes.

It’s a similar story in Queensland’s capital of Brisbane this weekend as Ray White Paddington agent Max Hadgelias and principal George Hadgelias auction a highly sought after New Farm apartment.
The three bedroom unit at 5/202 Bowen Tce (pictured above) has attracted a range of buyers throughout the campaign.

“There has been downsizers, professional couples and even a few first home buyers who are currently renting locally because it’s entry level for the suburb. All of them have loved the big city views and amazing location,” Mr Max Hadgelias said.

Over the length of the campaign the Paddington agents have overseen more than 60 inspections. Ray White auctioneer Phil Parker will conduct the auction.

Further highlights will be 46 May St, Parkinson going through Ray White Calamvale agent Martin Ma and a late afternoon auction at 9 Armour Close, North Lakes being sold by Ray White North Lakes’ Ryan Suhle.

The Adelaide auction market is firing up this weekend with some great results expected for Ray White SA all throughout the day.
Kicking off the day is the auction at 29 Glenburnie Tce, Plympton (pictured above) through Ray White Glenelg principal Adam Keane. Mr Keane has had a massive 150 groups through inspections and is confident of a great sale come Saturday.

“There has been a combination of young first home owners wanting to buy their first home, downsizers that have sold bigger homes and being on a corner block and in a good development area there have also been some developers,” Mr Keane said.

“For the owner occupier buyers, they have really loved that it’s ready to live in and well-maintained. The owners have done a great job at presenting it.”

The others to watch in Adelaide are 29 Alexander Street, Largs Bay through Ray White Norwood agent Nik Ilic and 2 St Ives Dr, Parafield Gardens and 12 Leaf St, Parafield Gardens going through fellow Norwood office agent Ryan Stapleton.

Ray White Woodville’s Peter Kiritsis will also have a standout at 40 Holden Ave, Woodville West.