Although the market overall is cooling, good properties with clever renovations are still attracting a good amount of interest and selling well. Testament to this claim is 217 Osborne Street Williamstown, which on the weekend sold strongly under the hammer.
Situated on a huge land allotment over 2000m2 within one of Williamstown’s A grade streets, the auction was attended by well over 400 people (most of whom were locals). Opening at $3,000,000, after some spirited bidding the property was on the market at $3,500,000 and ultimately sold for $3,710,000 (a record for the street).
Why did this sell so well?  Firstly the charming street frontage has been retained, and the extension /renovation beyond was sympathetic to the house style externally. Internally tall ceiling heights have been maintained, open plan kitchen/living/dining connects easily to the rear yard and all of the utility rooms have been thoughtfully updated to suit contemporary living of the modern family. The rear self-contained two-storey apartment was a nice little bonus, serving well the flexible needs of a growing family. Finally the landscaping was superb and this was enhanced by a generous swimming pool.

Capturing the imagination

Some properties just have a feeling about them – and 14 Tennyson Street in Kensington is a good example of that. Situated in a lovely street amongst some beautiful period style homes, this quaint Victorian weatherboard is in some serious need of TLC yet sold on the weekend after some strong bidding for $660,000 after opening at $450,000 and being put on the market at $590,000.

Why is this so, given the cooling nature of the market at this stage? Well firstly this house presents looks good from the street and has some amazing original period features This all combines well with good land content, a northern aspect to the rear and potential off street car-parking via a generous rear right-of-way.  Emotion plays big part in buying, and it did so here. Most people visiting this house would have seen it’s potential and simply fell in love with it’s potential.