Canberra auctions: First auction weekend of 2026 shows promising signs

The capital’s property market has begun 2026 with the first major auction weekend delivering encouraging results across several sales.

On Saturday in Franklin, Ray Moon of Independent Property Group sold the impressive four-bedroom townhouse at 4/28 Eleanor Dark Lane under the hammer for $1.28 million.

Moon said there were five registered buyers, with spirited bidding which saw 50 bids placed after an opening offer of $930,000.

“We literally ran out of paper writing the bids down, but the property is in a beautiful spot, surrounded by parkland,” he said.

Situated on an expansive 617-square-metre block, the two-storey townhouse features total privacy with no adjoining neighbours. Accommodation includes two oversized living areas, a main bedroom with an en suite, three upstairs bedrooms, a study area and a double garage.

Also on Saturday, first-home buyers fought it out for a tastefully maintained three-bedroom house at 3 Windradyne Street, Ngunnawal, which sold under the hammer for $841,000.

Marq Property’s Kris Hellier said they had eight registered bidders at the auction, seven of whom were first-home buyers.

“We’re seeing strong demand and prices for properties south of $1 million,” he said.

Positioned in a popular enclave, within a short walk of Ngunnawal Primary School, the updated home offers open-plan living and dining areas, two bathrooms, and a garage on a low-maintenance 338-square-metre block.

Elsewhere, Momentum Property’s Anthony McCormack sold the stylishly presented four-bedroom house at 8 Latchford Street, Theodore, for $1.055 million.

McCormack said the auction drew five registered bidders.

Set on a generous 815-square-metre site, the thoughtfully designed house features a relaxed floor plan with living, dining, and family rooms; a main bathroom with a spa; an updated kitchen; a large entertainment deck with a built-in barbecue and a Gozney pizza oven; and a double garage.

McCormack said they had seen strong numbers at their inspections, with properties under $1 million performing particularly well.

On Friday in Coombs, McCormack sold the striking four-bedroom residence at 17 Kilgariff Street at auction for $1.885 million, with the property attracting three registered bidders.

The opulent accommodation includes formal and casual living spaces, a gourmet kitchen with a butler’s pantry, a study, two bathrooms, al fresco dining, a resort-style mineral-salt pool with spa jets, and premium finishes and fittings throughout.

Other mid-week auctions also saw strong results. Blackshaw sold the four-bedroom house at 17 McCabe Crescent, Holt, for $900,000, while in Red Hill, Jason El-Khoury from Hive Property sold the luxurious four-bedder at 67 Cyngnet Crescent for $2.28 million.