Patchy results yesterday, with most auctions either passing in or had limited bidding. It certainly seems to be a testing time for selling agents and, for buyers, there seem to be many options. Of the eight auctions we attended, five sold on the day yesterday. I did note that a few properties that have been around for a while have since sold – 168A Mont Albert Road Canterbury is one of those (Anthony Grimwade, RT Edgar) – so there is definitely some activity – it is just more likely to be happening outside the auction forum.
That said, one stand-out auction was 2/6 Findon Crescent in Kew (the auction report is below). Spirited bidding here (very much against the general market trend) and, as always, auctioneer Scott Patterson did a great job controlling traffic.
Saw an amazing house with Mal this week at 69 Broadway in Camberwell. This is listed by Doug McLauchlan of Marshall White under an Expressions of Interest campaign, quoting $7m plus. We were not sure about this property from the outset – the main concern being that it did not seem to have any real ‘backyard’ area. Mal has a saying with these grand homes that ”they are bit like the Grand Lady without the fine skirt”, meaning that they don’t have the commensurate land where you want it in private areas ( ie the backyard) or land has been taken away or subdivided off, to complement the large house. The house is very good and has been wonderfully renovated; it has a fantastic feel internally and the rear yard area does seem to work quite well. The open plan living area is very good, and the way the kitchen can be screened off is very clever, I thought. To top it all off, the vendor is a Bulldog supporter – sounds like the perfect family home, doesn’t it? Where do I sign……?
Pity this property is not going to auction, as I like Doug’s auctions. He always has something insightful to say in the introduction (Peter Batrouney from Jellis Craig is also very good at this) and tends to have good rapport with his crowd.
Until next year – have a great Christmas and a safe holiday period. Special thanks to all the nice people who I get a smile from and/or have a quick chat with at opens and auctions. Our job is a tricky one at times but, more often than not, is a very enjoyable one and you get to meet some great people, most of which are selling agents. A very special thanks also to all the hard-working staff at my favourite coffee shops – Liar Liar, Porgie and Mr Jones, Collective Espresso and Snow Pony – keep up the good work guys!
Go the Melbourne Heart and the Melbourne Stars!
Design Smart, Adam
James Private Client Briefings contain far greater and more client-specific detail than what you see below and are available for full service James Search and Negotiate clients throughout Melbourne.
Contact us: For a private, confidential and no obligation discussion on what is really happening in your street, precinct and suburb from a buyer’s perspective, contact Architect Adam on 0413 318 079 or Gina on (+613) 9804 3133 or 0457 835 255 or Mal on 0408 107 988 from James Buyer Advocates.
Alternatively if you see us at an open for inspection or an auction please feel free to come over and say hello – perhaps we could send you a buyer rating, a result or simply open diaries and work out a time to sit down and talk about the market, values, negotiation, alternative homes or your needs from a buyer’s perspective.
For the record each of us is involved in 2 to 3 homes, around 20 inspections and attending/assisting/bidding on up to 4 auctions on a weekly basis – all in that specialist $M+ price range.
A sample of testimonials from satisfied clients http://www.jamesbuyeradvocates.com.au/testimonials.php
