Ray White continues to defy negative predictions

MONTHS after commentary began about market crashes, Australasia’s largest real estate group have continued to successfully defy the doomsday predictions.

A return to online auctions in Victoria and concerns for New South Wales are yet to severely dent clearance rates and auction volumes.

Last weekend, the Ray White Group booked a 61 per cent auction day clearance rate while this week the leading group has 261 auctions scheduled across the country.

In Australia’s biggest real estate market, sellers have received the message loud and clear that now is the time to sell, translating to some great properties going to auction this weekend.

Leading Sydney auction agency Ray White Surry Hills | Alexandria | Glebe | Erskineville has 11 homes going under the hammer on Saturday.

Surry Hills agent Christopher Bedzo said after 115 groups through inspections at 39/21 Coulson St, Erskineville(pictured) he is expecting an exciting auction.

“It’s a great split level apartment with a good layout. It’s nice and bright in a great location and these features are attracting a lot of first home buyers and young professional couple interest,” Mr Bedzo said.

Also represented by Surry Hills Director Shaun Stoker the two bedroom unit is part of the trendy Star Printery warehouse conversion complex.

In Arncliffe, Ray White Rockdale agent Nicholas Economos is taking a four bedroom character home at 120 Forest Road to auction this Saturday. Mr Economos said he’s had some really strong interest in the home from a mixed range of buyers.

“There is a lot of potential for developers due to the land size and owner occupier families have been falling in love with the views across to Botany Bay and character features of the house,” Mr Economos said.

The auction will be called by Ray White NSW Chief Auctioneer Alex Pattaro and has a price guide of $1.5 million.

In the afternoon, Ray White Riverstone Principal Adam Iken is gearing up for a great result at 18 Ward St, Schofields which has attracted interest from across the board.

Victorians are now in their second week of stage three restrictions. But if last week’s 66.7 per cent clearance rate is anything to go by then there’s still plenty of confidence in the market.

Ray White Craigieburn had a cracker weekend last week, selling four of five homes under the hammer on Saturday.

This weekend, they have another five to sell through auction with Craigieburn agent and auctioneer Trish Orrico saying 2/65 Pender St, Preston is the one to watch.

“It’s going to go ballistic, during the first week of the campaign open homes were still allowed and we had 101 groups through the house,” Ms Orrico said.

“Now that we are doing private inspections, we’ve had another 33 go through with 12 more to come this week.

“We’ve seen everyone through – young people, downsizers, investors, it’s been a real mix of different buyers looking at this one.”

The Craigieburn team have not skipped a beat since auctions first went online in March and are well prepared for a backtrack to stage three restrictions Ms Orrico said.

“We’ve been doing online auctions and private inspections this whole time so for us it’s never changed and the buyers we are dealing with are used to the process,” she said.

“It has only served to eliminate those non-genuine buyers, we still have plenty who are willing and ready to buy.

In Mitcham, Ray White Blackburn Sales Director Mark Edwards has had 70 groups through the three bedroom home at 33 Creek Rd (pictured). Mr Edwards said there’s a lot for buyers to love about the character home.

“Interest is coming mainly from first home buyer couples. It’s a character home that’s been fully renovated and doesn’t need any further money spent on it so that’s definitely appealing to them,” Mr Edwards said.

“The price and location are good too. The price guide is $790,000 to $869,000 in an area with a strong market and a great place to bring up a family.”

From the safety of a Melbourne CBD studio Ray White Auctioneer Jeremy Tyrrell will be auctioning off 49 Stagecoach Crescent, Sydenham.

The four bedroom home north west of the studio is being sold through Ray White Caroline Springs Sales Manager Zole Elali who said he is quietly confident about Saturday’s result.

“The early signs are good, we’ve had 149 groups through and that price range of $550,000 – $590,000 is bringing a lot of small families and first home buyers,” Mr Elali said.

Also looking good is 13 Constellation Court, Taylors Lakes being sold through Ray White Taylors Lakes Premier Sales Executive Lorry Colussi and called by Ray White Victoria Chief Auctioneer Matthew Condon.

Ray White Queensland Chief Auctioneer Mitch Peereboom has a busy weekend ahead of him with several cracking auctions in the pipeline.

First up is five bedroom 19 Quoll Circuit, North Lakes (pictured) being sold by Ray White North Lakes agent Ryan Suhle. The northside agent said the house has been popular with buyers looking for something with large living space.

“We’ve seen a lot of families looking to upgrade from the standard four bedroom homes because they need more living space and the separate study is a bonus – especially at the moment,” Mr Suhle said.

“There aren’t a lot of homes left like this one in North Lakes couple this with a limited supply of stock and it’s created a lot of competition in the market.”

Later in the day, Ray White West End sales agent Michael Nolan said the auction at 75 Bracken St, Moorooka will be popular with buyers looking to get in on the ground floor of an up and coming suburb.

“We’ve had a range of buyers – mostly families who really appreciate the position are coming from more upmarket areas like Graceville and Chelmer because they see the future value in Moorooka,” Mr Nolan said.

“The views are a standout, they are uninterrupted all the way to the city and mountains because the house is the highest point on the hill and the most elevated in Moorooka.

Mr Nolan said he has been selling in Moorooka for the last six years and has noticed a lot of gentrification in the area.

“A lot of young professionals and position buyers are getting into the area and there’s been quite a lot of renovations and building brand new,” he said.

“I think it’s because of the close proximity to the CBD and the family friendly feel of the suburb.”

The South Australian market has been undaunted by recent events and is ready to embrace another big weekend of auctions.

Made famous on House Rules, 104 Mead St, Peterhead(pictured) is now firmly part of Australian television history after it underwent an amazing transformation through the current owner.

Ray White Woodville Jonathon Kiritsis agent and auctioneer said he has had several nosey neighbours and a lot of genuine buyers through the five bedroom home in the past few weeks.

“We have had a really strong number of genuine buyers – mostly families and younger couples looking to start their family. There’s been a few people looking to downsize to a big, one level home as well,” Mr Kiritsis said

“So far we’ve had 92 inspections and everyone has been buzzing about the renovations. It’s been really well done with high quality fixtures, the owner has kept the character features but given them a modern twist.”

Ray White Norwood agent Nick Borrelli has had an impressive 138 groups through the four bedroom home at 5 Elizabeth Court, Burnside in only a few weeks.

The Adelaide agent said he is seeing interest coming from everywhere.

“There are a few downsizers who want to stay locally, a lot of young professionals and quite a few families who want to take advantage of good school zones,” Mr Borrelli said.

“The house has amazing views into the city on one side and across the hills which are basically in reaching distance. It’s been popular because it’s a unique home in a blue chip, sought after area.”

Meanwhile in Kingston Park, Ray White Marion | Brighton Selling Principal Scott Robinson has had strong interest in 3/11 Burnham Rd.

“We’re seeing late and middle aged professional couples who are looking for a bit of lifestyle change by the beach,” Mr Robinson said.

“It’s well presented with a great view but still within the Adelaide metropolitan area.”

The auction will be called by Ray White South Australia Chief Auctioneer John Morris.