Canberra auctions: Quality cuts through in a patchy market

The national capital’s auction market is producing mixed results, but quality homes are still finding buyers willing to compete.

The first auction on Saturday saw Hive Property’s Leanne Palmer sell the stunning three-bedroom apartment at 508/21 Marcus Clarke Street, City, under the hammer for $1.475 million.

Situated in the iconic New Acton precinct, the striking apartment boasts floor-to-ceiling glass windows providing sweeping views across Black Mountain, the lake and Parliament House. It offers an expansive floor plan with generous living and dining, a fully equipped kitchen, a main bedroom with a study nook, an en suite with marble features and a walk-in wardrobe, a second bathroom, and a powder room.

In Curtin, Marq Property’s Justin Taylor sold the four-bedroom house at 7 Heales Place for $1.435 million.

Positioned at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, the updated residence delivers a flexible floor plan with three bathrooms, a carport and multiple outdoor entertainment areas.

Also in Curtin, the impressive three-bedroom house at 73 Theodore Street was passed in, with the property on the market for more than $1.6 million. Blackshaw Manuka’s Louise Harget said they had two interested parties.

Designed by acclaimed local firm, Ben Walker Architects, the residence, known as the “TL house”, was recognised with a 2018 commendation at the AIA ACT Architecture Awards. Positioned in a quiet service lane near quality primary and secondary schools, the semi-detached house features formal and casual living spaces anchored by a central kitchen with a butler’s pantry, a main bedroom with an en suite, spotted gum timber floors, double-glazed windows, hydronic heating and a prized north-facing perspective.

Harget said while the market was a little all over the place at present, activity remained strong.

“We are receiving plenty of offers on properties but we need to be a little more patient in the current climate,” she said.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Bastion Property passed in the three-bedroom penthouse apartment at 702/4 Anzac Park, Campbell.

Situated in the prestigious Parade building, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property boasts 173 square metres of internal living space, a generous balcony, a triple enclosed garage, plus two additional car spaces and two storage cages.

In Amaroo, the striking four-bedroom residence at 12 Auburn Street remains for sale through Stone Gungahlin’s Jess Smith with an asking price of between $999,000 and $1.099 million. Later in the day, Smith sold the five-bedroom residence at 61 Diamond Street for $1.45 million.

Last weekend saw a slight increase in auction clearance rates, with 64 per cent reported as sold, up from 59 per cent at the same time last year. Of the 74 auctions scheduled, 69 were reported: 44 sold, five were withdrawn, and 17 passed in.