Barry Plant Highton agent Kieron Hunter calls the auction at 8 Angus Street, Belmont. Picture: Peter Ristevski
The first on-site auction since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in regional Victoria has to put some cream on top of a strong result for a Belmont vendor.
A two-bedroom townhouse at 8 Angus Street, Belmont, sold for $546,000 after three bidders contested Saturday’s auction.
Barry Plant, Highton agent Kieron Hunter said being able stand at the property and encourage buyers to continue bidding helped eclipse the reserve by $26,000.
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Mr Hunter had continued to auction properties using an online app during the lockdown but said returning on site paid immediate dividends.
“You’ll never know what’s better (online or on-site because you’ll never be able to do the two side-by-side but I do feel that in person, to be able to have that personal touch, we were able to encourage them to take another bid,” he said.
“The reality is there was another $6000 there, just from encouragement.”
The unsuccessful bidders. Picture: Peter Ristevski
Ben, a first-home buyer who didn’t want to reveal his surname, has cemented an escape from Melbourne’s stage four lockdown.
Although the health care worker didn’t attend the auction, his Geelong-based parents bid for the 312sq m property on his behalf.
“I’ve been looking to enter the property market for the last year or so, so with everything happening in the current climate, Geelong seemed like a logical fit for my lifestyle and being closer to the family,” he said.
Bidders wore masks and observed social distancing at the auction. Picture: Peter Ristevski
“It’s definitely a good fit. I think it was a really nicely and neatly-presented property – fairly low maintenance.
“I’m in my late 20s, so I’m a young professional, work in health care, and it suited my lifestyle really well.
“It has a nice little entertaining area so an opportunity to be social with friends, but it’s not a property that needs to undertake too much maintenance on.”
Hopeful buyers at 8 Angus Street, Belmont. Picture: Peter Ristevski
Ben said his immediate family had relocated to Geelong in recent years.
“I have been working in Melbourne, but I’ll be residing in Geelong in the next couple of months so I’ll be looking at commuting and doing some work locally as well,” he said.
“I can split my time between the two and maybe in the future transition further down the Surf Coast.
“My mum and her family are from Geelong and surf coast originally.
8 Angus Street, Belmont, has sold for $546,000.
8 Angus Street, Belmont, has sold for $546,000.
“It’s always had a bit of appeal to us. As kids we were coming down here fairly often, so I see Geelong and the surf coast as being a nice happy medium.”
Mr Hunter said there were 10 people at the auction, including a fourth party that didn’t bid and two onlookers.
“The neighbours from across the road were inconspicuously watering the garden,” he said.
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