A big crowd turned up to see this unique Melbourne property go under the hammer. Check out all the action from Domain's live auction coverage.
Sold $677,000 Agent Chambers Price guide Mid-$500,000s
Three hopeful buyers threw their hands up for this dilapidated terrace in a narrow backstreet of arguably the city’s most hipster suburb. The decrepit property is covered in street art by an internationally renowned artist, but will soon be given a complete makeover by the winning bidder — a builder who could take advantage of the plans and permits in place for a double-storey home with a rooftop terrace. The designs will keep the heritage-proteced 1860s facade. Auctioneer John Costanzo knocked back an opening offer of $500,000 because there was interest in the $600,000s during the campaign. But he accepted $550,000 from the man and bids continued jumping in mostly $10,000s. Instead of walking inside the unlivable property, Mr Costanzo walked around the corner to consult the vendor before announcing it on the market at $670,000. The terrace sold for $7000 more to the builder. Christina Zhou
The Fitzroy terrace has fallen into disrepair in the past decade. Photo: Kip Scott
162 Bastings Street, Northcote
Sold $2.16 million Agent Jellis Craig Price range $1.8 million+
There has not been a bigger crowd in Northcote since Midnight Oil played at the nearby Social Club. This transformed period property with a striking vaulted extension was a recent Domain House of the Week, and more than 300 stickybeaks crowded the Vauxhall Road corner to see it go under the hammer. Auctioneer Sam Rigopoulos described the address as “timeless real estate”, with its classic frontage and industrial rear, and asked for a start. He was offered $1.7 million and took it, but admitted the sum was lower than he had hoped for. But bidding soon heated up, rollicking along in $100,000 rises. By $2.12 million, the home was on the market, and three bids later the hammer dropped in favourite of a young couple with a small child, who embraced before heading inside to ink the deal. Emily Power
162 Bastings Street, Northcote. Photo: Jellis Craig
Sold $3,085,000 Agent Marshall White Price range $2.4 million+
Almost 100 onlookers attended this executor’s auction, including seven would-be buyers who helped catapult the final sale price $635,000 above reserve. All the bidders seemed to be drawn to the near-beach, close-to-good-schools location as well as the absence of any heritage overlay that might restrict a future redevelopment of the existing three-bedroom 1920s house. Auctioneer Stephen Smith easily landed a $2 million first offer from one man and was soon fielding bids from multiple parties. The 653-square-metre property was declared on the market at $2.45 million. Once that threshold was reached, two new parties stepped up and the sale became a slug-fest between two men in sunglasses standing 80 metres apart. The younger of the two eventually won out at $3.085 million. ” I didn’t expect $3 million,” one smiling neighbour said. “I thought it would be less.” Chris Tolhurst
9 Holmwood Avenue, Brighton. Photo: Marshall White
Passed in $1.85 million Agent Hocking Stuart Price range $1.8 million+
This double-fronted Victorian was transported from Thornbury, making its trip some eight years ago. It now sits on a huge block of land and has an elaborate separate games room/BBQ kitchen, office, garage and gym at the rear. Perfectly manicured gardens with a rustic country theme complete the picture. A genuine opening bid of $1.6 million didn’t quite pass muster for auctioneer Gus Anile, who quickly bumped it up to $1.7 million with a vendor bid. Despite his hard work, Anile wasn’t able to elicit more than three additional bids from two people, and after consulting with the owners, passed the four-bedroom house in at $1.85 million. Jayne D’Arcy
17 Upton Street, Altona. Photo: Hocking Stuart
126 Heath Street, Port Melbourne
Sold $3,705,000 Agent Greg Hocking Holdsworth Price guide $2.5m+
This home ticked all the boxes for triple-A real estate — a waterfront suburb, address tucked behind Bay Street shopping, a luxury build and sparkling elevated pool and deck, with a cheeky viewing window to the tease the neighbours on a hot day. Bidding opened at $2.3 million, indicating prospective buyers meant business. Competitors whacked away in $100,000 increments, with several throwing their hat in the ring. At $3.3 million Hocking and his team popped inside for a chat to the vendor, who built the home. He returned tell the 200-strong crowd that the three bedroom trophy pad was on the market. At this point, bidding trickled to $5000 offers, leading to a 20-minute long joust before he hammer fell. The Nicholas Murray-designed property fetched about $400,000 over reserve. Emily Power
126 Heath Street, Port Melbourne. Photo: Greg Hocking
Sold $1.98 million Agent Jellis Craig Price range $1.6 million+
This balcony terrace last changed hands in 2010 for $1,175,000. It did considerably better than that on Saturday thanks in part to the addition of a new kitchen and bathroom, plus spirited competition from three bidders. Auctioneer Campbell Ward said the “beautifully updated” three-bedroom home had great access to Hawthorn station and local eateries. A man with salt-and-pepper hair then chimed in with $1.6 million. But the proceedings hit a slow patch and two vendor bids were tossed in before a cool-as-a-cucumber man leaning against a lamppost started making offers. At $1.76 million the property was on the market, and a third player came in. This man, believed to be an investor, traded $10,000, $5000 and $1000 bids with Mr Lamppost for several minutes until he snared the 1887-built “Brefny” for $1.98 million. Chris Tolhurst
12 Morang Road, Hawthorn Photo: Jellis Craig
Sold $760,000 Agent Village Price range $590,000+
Earlier this year the unrenovated two-bedroom house next door sold for a little under the quoted range of this stylish three-bedroom renovated one. If the young hipster couples and families gathered were hoping to snag a bargain they were out of luck, even pre-auction gossip suggested a figure starting with “7”. A genuine opening bid of $600,000 set things in motion for auctioneer Huss Saad, who then fielded a flurry of bids from another two would-be buyers. At $690,000 the house was on the market, and two more contenders put up their hands. One would-be buyer lowered the rises to $500, then $250, but the woman he was bidding against was happy to offer more, and bought it for $760,000. Jayne D’Arcy