Auction watch: Yarralumla townhouse tops $1 million

About 50 people gathered in Yarralumla on Saturday afternoon to watch Canberra’s most expensive auction of the day.

The property at 2/9 Bentham Street sold under the hammer for $1.33 million.

It was a case of first in first served with the first party to make a bid eventually securing the home.

Four of the six registered parties competed for the property from a debut bid of $1 million.

Luton Properties Woden agent Richard Keeley said it was a “sensational result”, finishing above a reserve price of $1.3 million.

“The last sale at the complex was under $1 million,” he said.

“It indicates the market is still strong.”

The architect-designed home is spread across two levels and includes an open-plan living and dining area and a kitchen equipped with modern appliances and cabinetry. 

Floor-to-ceiling glass doors along the entire back wall open onto a spacious courtyard surrounded by greenery.

The townhouse also includes three bedrooms, each with an en suite, built-in wardrobe and private courtyard or balcony.

More than 170 groups had inspected the property as of this week.

Mr Keeley said the townhouse appealed to down-sizers who didn’t necessarily want to move into an apartment.

“This townhouse is like a house but on a small block. It’s a boutique development,” he said.

“The other positive is it’s very close to the shops; you can walk to the shops.”

The Yarralumla townhouse was among three properties to sell for more than $1 million at auction on Saturday.

Luton Properties Woden also sold a five-bedroom two-storey house at 46 Parkhill Street in Pearce for $1.205 million.

Outside of the ACT, Luton Properties Gungahlin sold a 4.45-hectare property at 97 Hickey Road in Sutton for $1.24 million.

The results contributed to a clearance rate of about 71.4 per cent, according to APM – just trailing Sydney on 72.5 per cent.

Last week more Canberra properties were sold under the hammer than in Sydney.

Meanwhile, Luton Properties Weston Creek sold 163 Jackie Howe Crescent in Macarthur prior to auction for $850,000 on Tuesday, breaking the suburb’s previous record of $765,000 for a property at 14 Kater Close in 2009.