Canberra auctions: Pre-auction activity gains momentum

Canberra’s market may have lost some of the heat seen in recent months, but pre-auction sales are becoming increasingly common as sellers take advantage of committed buyers and the certainty an early offer can provide.

In Gordon, Momentum Property’s Michael Martin sold the stylish three-bedroom townhouse at 8/3 Charles Place prior to its auction on Saturday.

Martin said the property sold to a downsizer for $866,000, adding that it was the highest price achieved in the tightly held complex.

Ideally positioned close to Gordon Primary School, with easy access to the shops, Lanyon Marketplace and public transport, the free-standing townhouse provides a spacious zoned floor plan with separate living, dining and family rooms, fully equipped kitchen, main bedroom with an en suite and a walk-in wardrobe, a study plus a double garage.

Timothy Road’s Tim McInnes had three auctions scheduled for Saturday, with two selling prior for undisclosed amounts.

In Melba, the charming three-bedroom house at 20 Verbrugghen Street was snapped up by a first-home buyer, while the character-filled four-bedroom house at 12 Abernethy Street, Weetangera, sold to an upsizer.

In Florey, the low-maintenance townhouse at 1/61 Lightfoot Crescent was passed in and is for sale at $699,000-plus.

Located near Lake Ginninderra and close to Belconnen Town Centre and the local shops, the well-presented townhouse offers two separate living areas, an updated kitchen and a double garage.

McInnes said the federal budget had created some hesitancy in the market, but there were buyers still ready to go, with more properties being sold prior to auction.

Elsewhere on Saturday, The Property Collective’s Lisa Silberberg said they had three registered bidders on the impressive villa at 29/6 Ellison Harvie Close, Greenway, with the property selling under the hammer for $688,000.

Silberberg said they had strong numbers through the inspections, with interest from a first-home buyer and two families who were relocating, with one of the latter placing the winning bid.

Situated in one of Greenway’s most desirable lifestyle locations near South Point Shopping Centre and Lake Tuggeranong, the tri-level property features an expansive open-plan living and dining area with a balcony and lake views, main bedroom with en suite and a double garage.

On Thursday, Ray White sold the well-presented three-bedroom house at 45 Magenta Square, Amaroo, for $900,000. Tucked away in a quiet pocket, the tastefully refreshed house has a spacious kitchen, living and dining room, two bathrooms and a double garage. The agency also sold a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 5/102 Athllon Drive, Greenway, for $545,000.