Auction watch: Reserves smashed across Canberra on Saturday

Buyers zeroed in on a handful of properties at auction on Saturday, with agents reporting a few sales that far exceeded their vendors’ expectations.

The clearance rate of 69 per cent was down slightly from last weekend’s 74 per cent, according to Domain Group data. 

Nine parties registered to bid for a home at 37 Herbert Street, Ainslie, in a marathon auction that went for almost half an hour.

The 1930s red-brick cottage oozed classic Canberra charm and featured an open fireplace, high ceilings and picture rails.

LJ Hooker Dickson principal Stephen Bunday said the result of $1,109,000 was well above reserve, with two bidders pushing the price beyond the million-dollar mark.

“There were two people who just really wanted wanted it,” Mr Bunday said. “We must have taken about 80 bids.”

On the other side of town in Kambah, a home at 109 Ivo Whitton Circuit in Gleneagles, came down to a bidding war between two parties, albeit a much swifter one.

Bidding started at $900,000 and leapt above $1 million in just two bids. The property sold at $1,045,000 after some quick-fire bidding between both parties.

The property was another Canberra gem, offering direct access onto the Murrumbidgee Golf Course and surrounding reserve.

Peter Blackshaw agent Rob Cappuccio said about 75 groups inspected the home during the course of the marketing campaign, drawn to the property’s resort-style facilities and prime location.

Number 52 A’Beckett Street in Watson attracted a huge 17 bidders, in another auction that finished well above reserve.

Luton Properties Dickson agents Michael and Jenny McReynolds said there was a shortage of properties in the growing inner north suburb of Watson.

The McReynolds broke the suburb record in June with the sale of 9 Roma Mitchell for $1,141,000, and said auctions in Watson had been very successful.

“[52 A’Beckett] is a good-sized home with a big backyard, which is hard to come by,” Mr McReynolds said.

“The owners had maintained it very well and they were very happy with the result, which was way over what they expected.”