Market Still Favours Sellers

AUCTION volume may be up on last year but the market is still firmly tipped in the favour of sellers for now.

Buyers might have more choice with 65 per cent more auctions going ahead this week through the Ray White Group compared to last year. However, data shows that buyers are still willing to spend 13 per cent more at auction than their highest offer prior. To put that in context, it represents $130,000 more on top of $1 million – roughly the current national median house price.

This Saturday, the Ray White Group recorded a 75 per cent clearance rate, while average registered bidders nationally came in at 5.3 and active bidders sat at 3.1.

Around the grounds, auction fever is very much back in full swing and it was a Sydney auction which topped the leader board for highest sale. No. 216 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, was marketed by Matthew Carvalho and Bianca Field of Ray White Erskineville and sold for $6.225 million under the hammer.

The auction with the highest number of registered bidders was also in Sydney. Ray White Rockdale’s Con Economos and Joseph Somes sold 12 Souter St, Kogarah Bay for $2.72 million with 24 registered bidders in attendance. Ray White News South Wales chief auctioneer Alex Pattaro conducted the auction, welcoming a local family as new owners of the home.

MELBOURNE

Ray White Victoria chief auctioneer Matthew Condon said crowds were out in force on a beautiful Melbourne day, creating a great auction atmosphere.

“This week, Ray White Victoria had a healthy 189 auctions scheduled, as more properties come to market, buyers are becoming very selective around the properties they choose to actively bid on and buy,” Mr Condon said.

“This is noticeable at auctions with slightly less active bidders, but buyers are bidding very quickly and aggressively to secure their desired property.

“Overall buyer confidence in Melbourne’s real estate market continues to remain consistent and high.”

1A Darvall Court, Cheltenham

• Ray White Cheltenham – Kevin Chokshi and Elise Russell

• Sold under the hammer for $1.06 million – $60,000 above the reserve

• There were three registered bidders and two active bidders

“There were two bidders on-site and one tuning in online. The two on-site bidders were very competitive and knocked out the online bidder from the start,” Mr Chokshi said.

“Both were young, local couples looking for their next property. The winning bidders are very excited to move into the area while the sellers (pictured above) are thrilled they can now move on with their plan to relocate to Queensland after Easter.

“Interestingly, we listed the home last year as a private sale and didn’t get much interest but after converting it to auction it attracted a lot of attention and sold above reserve.”

6 Allen St, Glen Waverley

• Ray White Glen Waverley – Darryl Wickham and Alan Zhang

• Sold under the hammer for $1.741 million

• There were six total bidders and five active bidders

“The home was built by the sellers’ father 70 years ago and was sold by his two children. A local family bought it looking to knock it down and build their dream home (pictured above),” Mr Wickham said.

“Looking at today’s auction at Allen Street, things are still going very well. While the market may not be reaching the heights of October last year, homes with good appeal and in good locations are still very popular.”

48 Wallingford St, Cheltenham

• Ray White Cheltenham – Trevor Bowen and Stephanie Evans

• Sold under the hammer for $1.671 million

• There were nine registered bidders and six active bidders

• Auctioneer: Alex Pearson, Ray White

“The buyers were a lovely young, local family with two children moving within the suburb (pictured above with the sellers), while the sellers are moving into a townhouse with split level living now their children are in their teens,” Mr Bowen said.