Melbourne’s auction market has delivered another steady, yet strong result as we plunge into 2017.

There were 444 auctions in Melbourne, with 361 selling and 83 being passed in, 30 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also an additional 329 private sales.

Last Tuesday, as expected, the RBA, left rates on hold for the fifth consecutive month, at the record low 1.5 per cent. For buyers, this brings a great opportunity to step into or step up in the Melbourne property market.

The early 2017 market has already seen some strong results, but next weekend buyers will have far more choice. An expected 900 properties have auctions scheduled next weekend, double what we have seen in the past couple of weeks.

Price: $1,005,000

Address: 40 Mernda Avenue, Bonbeach

Featuring three bedrooms, a studio, a tandem garage and ample outdoor space, this property located minuted from Carrum station, shops and the beach attracted seven bidders. Bidding took off quickly which pushed the sale price $205,000 above the reserve. It was a young couple with a three week old baby who won the keys.

Price: $426,000

Address: 43 Wilgah Street, Thomastown

Marketed as the ideal first home, or investment, or downsizing opportunity. This two bedroom, one bathroom close to the Ring Road, local schools, shopping centres, parks, train station and other forms of transport provides an affordable option not too far from the city. Six bidders helped push the selling price up $26,000 over reserve when the hammer was brought down at $426,000.

Price: $1,260,000

Address: 7 Browning Street, Moonee Ponds

A three bedroom terrace known as “Carringbush” evokes enticing Victorian splendour from its highly sought after coveted Poet’s Corner address. Two home buyers bid at the auction from $1.05 million to $1.19 million, however it was passed in to the highest bidder. The property sold minutes after the auction for $1.26 million.

Melbourne’s auction market got off to a strong start over the weekend as buyers enjoyed the choices available as more listings have recently arrived on the market.

There were 192 auctions held in Melbourne on Saturday, and in the 7 weeks from 19 December 2016 to 5 February 2017 a clearance rate of 79 per cent was recorded. Of the 421 auctions reported, there were 333 sold and 88 passed in, 39 of those on a vendor bid. There were 1428 private sales recorded.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will meet for the first time for 2017 this week to decide the level of official interest rates for February. Economists are expecting that the RBA will likely be leaving the rates on hold for the fifth consecutive month.

The auction activity is increasing throughout this month with more than 1,400 auctions due to be held in the last week of February. Nearly 500 auctions are expected for next week.

2/96 Cooper Street, Essendon sold for $911,000

This spacious three bedroom, two bathroom villa opposite Buckley Park attracted 55 people to the auction. Pre-auction interest was around $750,000 for this middle villa with a double garage in a block of only three. With an opening bid of $650,000 the auction took off from there, with five bidders jumping in. At $830,000 the property was on the market, and the fifth bidder took the price up to $900,000. But it was a young couple who stayed in, and won the keys for $911,000.

6 Merrett Avenue, Hoppers Crossing sold for $475,000

Over the past twelve months there has been a considerable increase in interest in family homes under $600,000.  This three-bedroom house positioned on a generous 585m2 (approx.) parcel of land sold for the first time since it was built 42 years ago. There were four bidders vying for the keys to the property which easily reached its reserve price of $460,000. It was a local family who were successful at the auction for a price of $475,000.

2 Blyth Street, Murrumbeena sold for $1,421,000

The potential of this three bedroom plus study timber house attracted a range of would-be owners including developers and home buyers. Sitting on approximately 760 square metres of land, the home sold for more than $171,000 above the reserve. The property last sold in 1978 for $36,000, and on Saturday two bidders pushed the price up to $1.421 million.  This equates to an annual capital growth of over 10% per annum over the 38 year period.

This month looks set to break the December auction records with almost 4000 homes set to go under the hammer, almost 200 more than 2015. This week Melbourne’s auction market had a clearance rate of 80 per cent from 1264 auctions reported. There were 1014 selling and 250 being passed in, 99 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 321 private sales reported.

Despite a huge surge in listings, the weekend achieved a two month high clearance rate of 80.7%. The best performing area this week was the south eastern suburbs – with a clearance of 90%.

As expected, The Reserve Bank of Australia, left interest rates on hold again at the record-low 1.5 per cent at its final meeting of the year last week. The next RBA meeting will be in February.

Next week is the final auction weekend of the year and it will be the highest final weekend offering ever experienced in Melbourne, with more than 1000 properties going under the hammer.

73 Creek Street, Mitcham.  Sold for $1,130,000.

Set on approximately 762sqm of land with a 17.86m frontage in one of Mitcham’s sought after streets, this beautiful clinker brick home sold for $180,000 above reserve on Saturday. A first-home-buyer couple beat four other bidders to win the keys of this three-bedroom house. Two other would-be buyers didn’t even get a chance to raise their hands in this fast paced auction.

39 Henry Street, Kensington.  Sold for $1,455,000.

This double fronted Victorian with a large rear garden – a sanctuary of serene greenery in a prized inner city precinct and only moments from the cafes of the Kensington Village, attracted 3 bidders to the auction. The three bedroom property sold for $55,000 above the reserve after being declared on the market at $1.4 million.

13 St Vincent Place, Albert Park.  Sold for $5,100,000.

The elegance of the Victorian era and the excellence of modern spaces are compatibly combined throughout this spectacular terrace, circa 1870. The sought after address opposite St Vincent Gardens had three bidders at the auction and fetched a hefty price tag. The hammer was brought down at $5.1 million.

The final few weeks of 2016 are here, and Melbourne’s summer has brought an upbeat mood to the market. This week Melbourne’s auction market had a clearance rate of 79 per cent from 1094 auctions reported. There were 867 selling and 227 being passed in, 104 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 389 private sales reported.

This weekend’s clearance rate was the highest recorded in almost two months in Melbourne. In fact, the spring selling season had produced some incredible results, with the average clearance rate of 79 per cent being the highest recorded in recent years.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will meet for the final time of the year on Tuesday and for the last time until February. It is expected that they will choose to keep official interest rates on hold.

58 Wolverhampton Street, Footscray.  Sold for $977,000.

The asking price of this unique converted coach house was only $790,000, attracting a range of potential buyers. Five bidders were interested in the polished concrete floors, contemporary style and double-height ceilings of this four bedroom home. Such fierce competition helped push the price $127,000 above the reserve, and it was a young couple who became the new owners.

20 Marlton Crescent, St Kilda.  Sold for $1,915,000.

This superb wide Hawthorn brick Victorian in a popular St Kilda location always coveted for its character and its convenience sold for $195,000 above its reserve. With a mixed bag of four bidders competing for the property, it was downsizers who outbid younger homebuyers and an investor. The three bedroom home sold for $1,915,000.

4 Bowen Street, Hawthorn.  Sold for $2,670,000.

Among the 60 attendees to the auction of this four bedroom Victorian home were three bidders. On offer was a beautifully renovated home with a rear extension providing a modern flair. The initial bidding began at $2.32 million, and the property was announced on the market at $2.6 million. This sale price was more than $880,000 above the sale price when the property last sold in 2012.

As the Spring auction season reaches its final weekend, a clearance rate of 78 per cent was achieved from 1238 auctions reported. There were 964 selling and 274 being passed in, 129 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 301 private sales reported.

With plenty of stock on offer this weekend, Melbourne vendors faced tough competition while buyers were spoiled for choice. This was the second-highest number of homes being auctioned across the city, behind the 1598 auctions held on the pre-Easter super Saturday on 19th March.

The median auction price recorded in Melbourne this weekend was $856,000, just below the $860,000 reported the previous weekend, but 13.4 per cent higher than the $755,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.

Melbourne’s auction market looks set to be busy over the next 4 weeks in the lead up to Christmas, with an expected 3,000 homes to be auctioned.

151 Power Street, Hawthorn.  Sold for $1,976,000.

This lovely freestanding four bedroom Victorian terrace positioned on approximately 407m2 attracted three bidders among the crowd on Saturday. Fast bidding with $1,000 increments took this two storey property higher than the 1.91 million reserve. The hammer was brought down at $1.976 million to a semi-retired couple who plan to move in to the property set in lush gardens.

26 George Street, St Albans.  Sold for $630,000.

The price guide of $600k plus helped attract quite a crowd to the auction for this unrenovated four-bedroom home which was built by the vendors approximately 50 years ago. Five bidders threw their hands up to become the new owners of the property situated on approximately 785 square metres of land. But it was an investor who won the keys for $630,000.

23 Beach Road, Beaumaris.  Sold for $1,740,000.

With a price guide of $1.6 million – $1.7 million, this was an affordable four bedroom home with views of the bay. In front of a crowd of 50 people, the auctioneer found three bidders vying for the opportunity to live within a stone throw of the water. The home which has been with the one family for 30 years, sold to a family who plan to rent it out for a couple of years before moving in when their children leave school.

This weekend a clearance rate of 80 per cent was achieved from 1001 auctions reported. There were 800 selling and 201 being passed in, 80 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 299 private sales reported.

Melbourne’s 80 per cent result was higher than the 75 per cent recorded the previous weekend and significantly ahead of the 65 per cent reported over the same weekend last year.

Melbourne’s western suburbs continue to rise, with a leading regional clearance rate of 86.2 per cent. The inner-south followed close behind with a clearance rate of 81.7 per cent.

For the second consecutive quarter, Melbourne’s median house price recorded solid price growth, up 3.2 per cent to a record high $740,000.

Next weekend the local market will experience its biggest test of the spring selling season, with nearly 1400 homes set to go under the hammer.

7 Bowen Street, Richmond. Sold for $2,000,000.

Once Richmond’s first Cobb & Co coach house, built in 1871, now a three bedroom home of grand proportions. This freestanding landmark brick Victorian has been owned by a family for 20 years, and the family are moving into a house out the back of this building. The property sold at the vendor’s reserve after passing in at the auction, and a new family will soon be moving in.

3/4 Murrell Street, Glenroy. Sold for $434,500.

A heated auction with eight bidders competing for the keys to this two bedroom villa in Glenroy. The sale price was pushed $74,000 above the reserve, with many first home buyers among the bidders, hoping to take their first step onto the property ladder. This entry-level low maintenance home sold to a young couple for $434,500.

20 Victory Street, Sandringham.

Constructed to an exacting standard as a builder’s own home, this substantial five bedroom, two bathroom family residence showcases the best elements of late 20th Century design with walls of north-facing windows, lofty vaulted ceilings and well-zoned design. Nine bidders attended the auction, but the opening bid of $1.8 million knocked six of them out before they could put their hands up. The property sold to a family for $2.142 million (almost $1 million more than when it was bought four years ago).

This weekend a clearance rate of 80 per cent was achieved from 1001 auctions reported. There were 800 selling and 201 being passed in, 80 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 299 private sales reported.
Melbourne’s 80 per cent result was higher than the 75 per cent recorded the previous weekend and significantly ahead of the 65 per cent reported over the same weekend last year.
Melbourne’s western suburbs continue to rise, with a leading regional clearance rate of 86.2 per cent. The inner-south followed close behind with a clearance rate of 81.7 per cent.
For the second consecutive quarter, Melbourne’s median house price recorded solid price growth, up 3.2 per cent to a record high $740,000.
Next weekend the local market will experience its biggest test of the spring selling season, with nearly 1400 homes set to go under the hammer.

7 Bowen Street, Richmond. Sold for $2,000,000.
Once Richmond’s first Cobb & Co coach house, built in 1871, now a three bedroom home of grand proportions. This freestanding landmark brick Victorian has been owned by a family for 20 years, and the family are moving into a house out the back of this building. The property sold at the vendor’s reserve after passing in at the auction, and a new family will soon be moving in.

3/4 Murrell Street, Glenroy. Sold for $434,500.
A heated auction with eight bidders competing for the keys to this two bedroom villa in Glenroy. The sale price was pushed $74,000 above the reserve, with many first home buyers among the bidders, hoping to take their first step onto the property ladder. This entry-level low maintenance home sold to a young couple for $434,500.

20 Victory Street, Sandringham.
Constructed to an exacting standard as a builder’s own home, this substantial five bedroom, two bathroom family residence showcases the best elements of late 20th Century design with walls of north-facing windows, lofty vaulted ceilings and well-zoned design. Nine bidders attended the auction, but the opening bid of $1.8 million knocked six of them out before they could put their hands up. The property sold to a family for $2.142 million (almost $1 million more than when it was bought four years ago).

This weekend a clearance rate of 77 per cent was achieved from 990 auctions reported. There were 760 selling and 230 being passed in, 93 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 297 private sales reported.

Higher listing numbers may have contributed to a lower clearance rate this weekend, as it was Melbourne’s lowest since the Spring auction season began.

The north and west areas of Melbourne were once again the top performers in the weekend auction results, with clearance rates of 86.4 per cent and 82.3 per cent respectively.

We look forward to seeing how the Spring market will fare next weekend.

30 Tennyson Street, Highett. Sold for $890,000.

Screened by established gardens on a prominent corner allotment, this pretty double-fronted two bedroom cottage on a 421sq metres sold for the first time in 45 years. After an opening bid of $800,000, three bidders pushed the price up. It was a young couple with plans to renovate that won the keys for $890,000.

12 Marin Lane, Maribyrnong. Sold for $847,000.

This 818 square metre property was the choice for developers. Six developers competed to become the new owners of this Maidstone property located in this ever appreciating pocket of Maidstone close to all local amenities such as Highpoint Shopping Centre, Central West Plaza and public transport.So it was a developer who won the auction with a $1.351 million bid, and they hope to put townhouses on the site.

17 Fairlie Avenue, Macleod. Sold for $925,000.

This three bedroom weatherboard home last sold for $104,000 29 years ago, and this weekend five bidders helped push the price well past the resrve of $810,000. The opening bid of $750,000 set the tone for a heated auction for the home set on a block of 769sq metres. But it was a family who outbid all rivals on the day with their final bid of $925,000.

Derby Day weekend is usually a bit more quiet on the auction front, than the previous weekends in Melbourne. There were 455 auctions reported, with 364 selling and 91 being passed in, 39 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 347 private sales reported.

The leading clearance rate suburbs at present are Bentleigh East and Hawthorn. The two suburbs delivered a 100 per cent clearance rate from 16 auctions last week.

The property market has continued to deliver clearance rates in the 80%’s and demand for quality property continues to be strong.  It could be argued that there are more properties being sold under pass in conditions rather than under the hammer due to vendor’s expectations at times are high and buyers currently have more choice.

An interesting property hit the market this week being the penthouse of the Eureka Tower. The property sits on the 86th floor and has 360 degree views of the city.  The high end “New York style” fitout has been listed with a hefty price guide of $22m.  This however would not make it the most expensive apartment sold in Australia which was $25m for the penthouse of Melbourne’s planned tallest skyscraper, Australia 108 which sold off the plan last year.

13 Gwendoline Avenue, Bentleigh sold $1,902,000

This renovated 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom California Bungalow in a good position of Bentleigh was auctioned on the weekend in front of a large crowd.  The numbers didn’t reflect the bidding with only one party participating resulting in the property passing in.  It was evident there were buyers in the crowd but the lack of bidding could be a result of a wider selection of properties on the market. The property passed in on a vendor’s bid of $1,775,000 but sold immediately after for $1,902,000.

90 Suffolk Street, Maidstone sold for $1,351,000

This 818 square metre property was the choice for developers. Six developers competed to become the new owners of this Maidstone property located in this ever appreciating pocket of Maidstone close to all local amenities such as Highpoint Shopping Centre, Central West Plaza and public transport.So it was a developer who won the auction with a $1.351 million bid, and they hope to put townhouses on the site.

18 Philip Street, Vermont sold for $952,000

Located in the prized Vermont educational catchment area and only a short walk to cafes, buses and Bellbird Dell, this three bedroom family home fetched $952,000 under the hammer on Saturday. The auction began with an $800,000 vendor bid, and three young families stepped up with offers. The vendors received quite a pay day considering that they purchased this property in 2007 for $162,000.

This weekend was one of Melbourne’s busiest auction weekend’s of the year! There were 1114 auctions reported, with 907 selling and 207 being passed in, 86 of those on a vendor bid. In addition to the auctions, there were also 336 private sales reported.

The weekend before Derby Day is always a busy one for Melbourne auctions, and this weekend proved to be true to form. It was a “Super Saturday” however, auction numbers fell short of those held on the same weekend in 2014 and 2015.

As we head towards the end of the year, there is expected to be strong competition at well-located properties. Such properties are attracting multiple bidders, so it is imperitive for buyers to have a strong strategy for auction day.

Melbourne’s northern suburbs have experienced a surge in demand from buyers, helping Melbourne reach a six month peak in auction sales.

14 Trafford Road, Carrum Downs. Sold for $560,000.
This beautifully presented four bedroom home located with easy access to Carrum Downs Shopping Centre, Peninsula Link and the Monash Freeway, attracted first home buyers and investors. ME Bank happily served smashed avocado to a crowd of 45 prior to the auction. With four bidders raising their hands at the Saturday auction, it is little wonder the property sold for $40,000 above the reserve. The final bid of $560,000 won the property for a couple purchasing for someone in their family.

7 Stevens Parade, Black Rock. Sold for $1,446,000.
Around 40 people squeezed into the living room of 7 Stevens Parade on a cold spring morning with rain pattering on the rooftop. Quoted prior to auction at around $1.4M the agent wasted no time looking for a start and made a vendor bid of $1.3M to kick off the auction. A young couple sitting on the lounge room couch as their child made himself at home playing on the floor, the auctioneer noted it was a good omen for the young family who then made the first genuine bid of $1.32M. Another party hidden in the hallway behind the auctioneer then joined in continuing the $20K rises back and forth with the opening bidder. The bidding then slowed slows down to $5K and $1K rises and eventually sold to the young family for $1.446M.

2/8 Mernda Avenue, Carnegie. Sold For $990,000.
Over 50 people stood in the driveway taking in the few rays of sunshine poking through the clouds waiting with umbrellas for the auction to start or the heavens to re-open. Quoted prior to auction around the mid to high $800,000s, auctioneer Ruth Roberts had no problems extracting an opening bid from her audience with a gentleman putting forward $730,000; Ruth then reminisced with the man about the last house she sold to him nearly 20 years ago in Carnegie. The bidding progressed quickly with multiple parties joining the action and the home was announced on the market at $860,000. It rapidly continued until slowing down to $1K bids between the opening and the 5th and final bidder where it became a showdown to the end. The 5th bidder ended up with the keys, securing this 3 bedroom unit for $990,000.