UNDER THE HAMMER THIS WEEKEND

First up Sydney, and something completely different - and absolutely fantastic. This gabion walled, very chic home has been built by a builder with extensive French connections - i.e. he came from France.

With five bedrooms, bespoke imported windows, and divine finishes 72 Fowler Rd, Illawong is a home that will appeal to those with (ahem) sophisticated taste. Indeed, Ray White Sutherland Shire / Menai agent Gavin Ottaway has had 100 groups through, all looking for that special something.

"No one's ever really built anything like it," says Mr Ottaway who says the auction should be very interesting, and it starts at 10am.

Because it is that special, here is a link to the video and hi res images are here.

“It’s been about 80 per cent investors so far,” said Mr Anthony of the 100 contract recipients, with more than a few being ex pats, many from Hong Kong, who have been looking at the area.

Others see the sprawling five bedroom home as perfect just as it is. No price guide here - let your imagination run wild. It’s an afternoon affair with a 3pm start time.

The exposed brick wall that runs the length of the house at 8a Holmesdale, Marrickville is just a joy to behold.

Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lightwell/central courtyard - this place has so much to offer the interest has been justly high. Ray White Surry Hills Ercan Ersan and Shaun Stoker are pretty sure this one will be a great auction, as the property offers not just inner city space, but very cool inner city space on a one way, tree-lined, street.

The glamour auction is set to begin at 9am with a guide of $1.7m and at least three bidders on the line at the time of writing. A jam packed folder of hi res images is found here.

Single level is winning the crowds in Blackburn, with Ray White Principal Peter Schenck seeing more that 120 groups through 2/22 Milne St, Mitcham.

“Double storey properties are not very popular with the ageing demographic,” says Mr Schenck.
"Where as this one is ideal for those who don’t want to scale stairs. Similarly, this villa would also suit a couple with a baby.”

And so say all of us who have struggled with toddlers, laundry and shopping in homes with stairs. It’s an 11am start and the guide is a very approachable $750-$825,000.

And yes, the auction will be stroller friendly.

Rammed earth is a rare building style, yet it offers a range of worthy attributes including excellent insulation properties. Plus, on a big block such as this one in Dudley St, it just looks right.

Con Tsalkos of Ray White Epping in Victoria says he is surprised at the range of buyers looking at the Wandan property, that stretches beyond your average residential buyer.

“Surprisingly even truck drivers, and of course car enthusiasts,” say Mr Tsalkos referring to the numerous and massive, modern garages on the property at 109 Dudley Street.

The more than 5,000sqm property is not all that far out of Melbourne, plus the area of Wanden itself is going through a growth spurt.

With a guide of $1-$1.1m the auction will start on site at 1.30. You still want to know how many cars it can garage don’t you? Well very conservatively, eight.

To Brisbane now and vendors have done a virtual re build on this post war home in the hot spot of Kedron, although they have kept some lovely detail such as the pretty and ornate maser bedroom cornice. Best of both worlds.

Now with four bedrooms and three bathrooms., a large pool and a huge back (level) yard 142 Turner Rd has been attracting the families.

So far 60 groups have inspected over the past three weeks, and Ray White Albion agent Jamie Charman is betting on a big crowd turning up for the 10.30am auction.

Adelaide is putting up some serious contenders this week. Above is 28b Botanic Grove, Campbelltown, which has had 60 groups through so far and four building inspections completed. Attraction here is both the relatively new build (2008), great open spaces in a good location. It's a corner block, across the road from a big reserve and very close to the popular ARC recreational centre.

It screams family home, and that's the demographic that have been circling.

Ray White Norwood's Stefan Siciliano adds the school zone is another plus - he's expecting five or six bidders with money to burn to turn up for the 11am auction.

And the second Adelaide property is seen above. You can tell this one is solid as a rock just from a drive-by. The conventional layout at 30 Manuel Avenue, Blair Athol is easy to live with, and the interior is in tip top condition. Ray White Norwood’s Nick Borrelli says traffic through the door has been brisk, with more than 45 groups through so far, which bodes well for a jumping auction.

The block is large and STCA and all that stuff willing, you could extend or maybe throw in a pool. The auction is due to kick off at 11am and has the amazing guide price of $510,000 and a handful of bidders already lining up.

Over to New Zealand and Ray White Titirangi has an executive home up for auction, just 30 mins out of Auckland city.

The four bedroom home at 366d Huia Rd has the most exceptional, soaring, cathedral ceilings in the formal living areas - with absolute wow factor windows that look to lush, green gardens.

A large and impressive home, in a great location Ray White Titirangi agent Gaston Coma has a price guide on the property of $AUD1.205m.

Media Contact:
Prue Miller
Ray White Media Advisor
0402 102 887
pmiller@raywhite.com