Auction watch: Strong sales despite wet and wild weather

Canberra’s auction market was back to business as usual on Saturday after last week’s quiet long weekend turnout.

More than 50 properties were auctioned, compared to just a dozen last weekend.

Despite the wet and wild weather, auctions were well attended and there were some strong sales throughout the day.

More than 100 people braved the rain to watch three brand new townhouses go under the hammer in Deakin.

While bidding for all three fell short of the reserve price, two of the homes sold immediately after auction.

The first of the three homes, 62 Jervois Street, was the most expensive of the trio, selling for $1,050,000.

The property originally passed in at $992,500, however the sale was finalised with the highest bidder just minutes later.

Number 64 sold for $950,000 after passing in at $932,500. The contracts were also signed just moments after the auction.

The final home at number 66 passed in at $820,000 and is under negotiation. Luton selling agent Christine Shaw said she expected the sale would be finalised soon.

Ms Shaw said there was a strong demand for townhouses in established suburbs and she had seen about 160 groups pass through the Jervois Street homes during the marketing campaign.

All three homes had a similar layout with open-plan living spaces and master suites on the lower level and two secondary bedrooms upstairs. The townhouse at number 62 also had a swimming 12-metre lap pool.

“There is a huge demand for townhouses, especially these models with the master bedroom, en suite and powder room of the ground floor,” Ms Shaw said.

Ms Shaw said this design was not only popular with downsizers planning for the future, but younger buyers also appreciated the segregation and convenience this style of townhouse offered.

From ultra-modern to old-world charm, the inner south was also home to the biggest sale of the day when an original 1940s cottage sold under the hammer for $1,275,000.

Six parties registered to bid for the home, which was sold through Peter Blackshaw Manuka agent Mario Sanfrancesco.

The clearance rate dropped slightly from last week’s 63.6 per cent to 56.1 per cent, according to Australian Property Monitors.