Only registered bidders were allowed to attend Buxton agent Tony Moorfoot’s recent auction of this Highton property. Picture: Peter Ristevski
A GEELONG real estate agent has sounded a warning over public auctions conducted on the city’s streets where organisers have no way to control crowds during coronavirus restrictions.
It comes as locked down Melbourne buyers were turned away from Geelong open homes at the weekend and three agents were forced into isolation after coming into contact with a COVID-19 case at inspections.
Auction crowds are limited to 20 people in Geelong under current restrictions but Buxton director Ben Riddle said there was confusion about the rules.
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Mr Riddle said there was no way to control the number of attendees if public auctions were held out the front of properties.
“It’s frustrating to see 60, 70 or 80 people gathered at an auction, you can’t control that environment,” he said.
“We’re not doing public auctions at the front of the house where you can’t control the attendees.”
His company has moved towards restricted auctions, with only registered bidders allowed to attend in confined outdoor spaces like a backyard.
Lots of interested onlookers watched on as another Highton property was auctioned earlier this month. Picture: Peter Ristevski
Mr Riddle said some Melbourne buyers also defied bans to try and attend open homes on the weekend.
Under the current rules people living in restricted areas can only inspect properties in regions like Geelong by private appointment.
Agents must also limit the number of people inspecting open homes to 20 at any one time.
“We turned away three Melbourne people at open homes on the weekend because we ask for ID,” Mr Riddle said.
“These were people that turned up and we basically had to say to them ‘you can’t come in the home’ but these people are allowed to turn up to the front of a house at the auction.”
These Melbourne buyers were lucky enough to secure a home in Belmont at auction the weekend before the latest lockdown began. Picture: Glenn Ferguson
Regional real estate agents have previously raised concerns some Melbourne buyers could be using property inspections as an excuse to escape lockdown.
McGrath, Geelong director Jim Cross said public safety was the agency’s highest priority.
“We are strictly adhering to all current COVID guidelines,” Mr Cross said.
“We’ve found that most people who are visiting homes are very respectful and they are expecting to see the rules adhered to.”
Maxwell Collins, Geelong director Nick Lord said his agency now required people to register to attend its auctions.
The crowd socially distanced at this Geelong auction on Saturday. Picture: Glenn Ferguson
The number of Geelong properties being auctioned has increased in recent weeks, with 12 scheduled to go under the hammer this Saturday.
Several have sold to Melbourne buyers, who were able to bid remotely or employ an agent to bid on their behalf.
The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has confirmed buyers are still able move home during lockdown, even if it involves travelling to a different region.
The post Coronavirus: Warning over crowd control confusion at Geelong auctions appeared first on realestate.com.au.