PRAHRAN, 68 Wrights Terrace: Like many of today’s auctions, this one had good numbers in attendance, but unfortunately no sale for Justin Long (Marshall White), passed in $1,610,000, 1 bidder

Key Points: It’s all about the bigger deals this week:

• Malvern 19 Hamilton – Justin Long – At Auction – $4,357,000
• Malvern 66 Claremont – Iain Carmichael – At Auction – $3,700,000
• Toorak 9 Ross – Justin Long – Auction – over $3,600,000
• Toorak – 3 Teringa – Andrew(s) McCann and Macmillan of Benmac – post last weeks auction – over $3,500,000 – nearly $5000 per sqm for rear south facing land
• Toorak – 611 Toorak Road – Expressions of Interest – Greg Herman of RT Edgar – $3,500,000
• Toorak – 231 Kooyong Road – James Redfern – Post last Saturday’s auction – over $3,500,000
• Malvern East – 127 Finch St – Rob Vickers-Willis – $3,300,000

Agent Q & A

How are stock levels and what will they be like leading up to Easter?

Mark Wridgway, RT Edgar, Toorak: “Stock levels over the next 6-7 weeks leading up to Easter are likely to be above normal. This year Anzac Day falls the Tuesday after Easter Monday which leaves only 3 days of that last week, which happens to immediately follow the school holidays. I can imagine that some people will essentially extend the school holidays to almost 3 weeks. Most vendors will want to see that period through before launching a new campaign, so the option is to get your property onto the market in time for a  9^th April auction date or wait until 21^st May.”

Justin Long, Marshall White, Armadale: “ The 3 weekends leading up to the Labour Day weekend were heavily booked even before Christmas hit us, as those who had purchased in late 2010 made plans to complete their real estate transactions at the earliest opportunity. Those not forced into February action seem to have been delayed until the first few rounds of auctions were played out and, the results having been reasonably encouraging, those that have waited are now finally making their decisions. The long weekend has adversely affected stock levels for March and the first weekend in April as many vendors chose not to have that weekend in their programs but as a result, the 9^th April seems to loom as the BIG weekend before Easter. In summary: expect a late (but strong) pre-Easter run.”