Buyer demand continues to surge

This weekend, a modest home in Sydney’s west, once owned by former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam is set to go to auction. Ray White Canterbury Director Manuel Roussakis is marketing the original four-bedroom home at 32 Albert St, Cabramatta (pictured above) which was owned by the Whitlams from 1956 until 1978.

One of the giants of Australian politics, Mr Whitlam’s most memorable moment by far was being dismissed as Prime Minister by the Queen’s representative in Australia, Sir John Kerr, on November 11, 1975.

“We have done quite a lot of research and managed to uncover the ownership timeline. The Whitlam family owned the home from 1956 until 1978. He owned the home throughout his time as Prime Minister and his dismissal,” Mr Roussakis said.

“This home is a true slice of Australian history and it’s the first time it’s been offered to the market in more than 30 years.”

The home on one of Cabramatta's most tightly held streets offers a large 670sqm parcel of level land, while the iconic residence is packed full of character and mid-century charm.

“The home is in obvious need of renovations but the one-time architecturally designed residence presents the perfect opportunity to add value and create the ideal family home.”

Sellers, Mike and Jo are finally coming to the end of their auction campaign after putting plans to offload their 21 Burton St, Glebe (pictured above) home on hold early last year. They made the decision to revive their plans after seeing strong results coming out of the market in late 2020 and early 2021.

The two bedroom Glebe home is being sold by Ray White Surry Hills | Alexandria | Glebe | Erskineville director Matthew Carvalho and has been popular with downsizers.

Ray White Sutherland Shire agent Ruth Malone has witnessed the skyrocketing OFI numbers first hand after welcoming 265 buyers to 19 Fourth Ave, Loftus. The first open home alone attracted 117 groups.

“My theory as to why we have had so much attention is that Loftus has a lot of smaller properties and larger properties like this one very rarely come up,” Ms Malone said.

“It’s pulling numbers because people have realised over the last year that they need more space and also now have the luxury of buying a bit further out from the city.

“Fourth Avenue has all the ‘COVID must haves’ from a backyard to a pool, four bedrooms, a large study and a separate area for the kids in a really nice, quiet and family friendly location.”

The Loftus home has a price guide of $1,300,000.

Following a snap “circuit breaker” lockdown announced by Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews last Friday, Ray White Melbourne made quick work of converting their auctions online. More than 50 properties were scheduled to go under the virtual hammer between Saturday and today but luckily the digital switch has done nothing to discourage eager buyers.

Physical auctions have now been given the green light to go ahead from 11:59pm tonight with no limit on the number of attendees, subject to the density quotient of 2sqm per person.

Ray White Brunswick agent Alex Ilyin was not concerned about the potential of his 8 Stawell St, Coburg (pictured above) auction going digital this weekend and said the office was well prepared for online auctions.

“We kicked goals with our online auction platform and proved that we could be agile by seamlessly transitioning between digital and physical auctions,” Mr Ilyin said.

“Our vendors were confident in us and the innovative Ray White systems and processes we had at our disposal.”

Transitioning back to on-site, Mr Ilyin’s Coburg auction will cap off a strong campaign as demand outstrips supply in the area, prompting almost 70 inspections and multiple second visits from buyers. The Coburg home has a price guide of $1,00,000 to $1,100,000.

Ray White Cheltenham’s Kevin Chokshi will be taking his 4/2 Bayliss St auction back on-site after the five day lockdown. Mr Chokshi said the two bedroom condo-style residence, which has a price guide of $600,000 to $660,000, in Cheltenham’s sought after Golden Triangle has been popular with first home buyers and young couples.

In Brisbane, on one of the best streets in Queensland, Ray White Brisbane City agent Karon Yesberg and principal Dean Yesberg will be auctioning off 449 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga (pictured above). During the auction campaign, more than 50 buyer groups have visited the four bedroom Yeronga home. Mr Yesberg said while are a variety of different buyers from families to executive couples interested, they are all motivated by the amazing location and lifestyle offered by the seven year old house.

“The location is exceptional, the home is surrounded by multi-million dollar houses on one of the best streets in Brisbane. The house itself is unique but also practical with great living areas and a low maintenance design," Mr Yesberg said.

While much of the interest has come from Brisbane buyers, Mr Yesberg has also fielded enquiries from interstate and SEQ.

Auctions run by Ray White Paddington agent Judi O’Dea rarely disappoint spectators and this weekend will be no different. Ms O’Dea has two properties set to fly under the hammer

First to sell will be 63 Park St, Kelvin Grove which has already attracted 150 inspections. Ms O’Dea said interest has been phenomenal every time she has opened the door at inspections.

“Buyers are interested in the enormous growth potential of the house. It has an immense attraction for young families, young couples and investors because it’s within a sought-after school precinct and offers an attractive inner city lifestyle,” Ms O’Dea said.

Later in the day, 25 Evelyn St, Paddington is also expected to sell under the hammer through Ms O’Dea and her sales associate Michael Kleimeyer.

Meanwhile, 212 Beddoes St, Holland Park vendor Glenn (pictured above) will watch as his childhood home is sold under the hammer by Ray White QLD Chief Auctioneer Mitch Peereboom on Saturday. The Brisbane-born man grew up in the house from 1951 until he left Brisbane in 1969 after making many wonderful memories growing up there.

The two bedroom home is being marketed by Ray White Holland Park principal Piers Crawford and agent Rocky Glanville and has attracted 75 groups at opens. Mr Crawford said the majority of buyers have been looking to knock down the 1920s home and build new.

“I think the area is about to go through a big transition period and there aren’t many places on the southside where you can still build your own house like this - especially on such a perfect piece of land. For that reason we are expecting some strong bidding on Saturday,” Mr Crawford said.

In Adelaide, the auction to watch will be from Ray White Henley Beach selling principal Anthony Fahey, who is taking 15 Chatswood Cres, Kidman Park (pictured above) to the auction block on Saturday. Mr Fahey said the market has been so good that his office has been running two week campaigns for many of their auction properties.

“During two weeks of opens, there were 120 visits to the property from prospective buyers. Most of the properties in our area have been selling really well recently and stock is in high demand at the moment,” Mr Fahey said.

“This is a good, solid family home so it has been attracting mainly couples with children. I am expecting a good turnout on Saturday given how tight the market is for these types of homes.”