'Nobody wants to leave': Fierce competition pushes Florey home to $1.09m

First-home buyers outbid 11 rival parties to secure a four-bedroom home in the tightly held Belconnen suburb of Florey for $1.09 million.

The hotly contested auction at 135 Ratcliffe Crescent underscores the appeal of the suburb, where the median house price has surged 14.2 per cent over the past 12 months to reach $907,500.

Selling agent Christine Shaw of Christine Shaw Properties said the intense competition reflected both the area’s popularity and the vendor’s meticulous preparation.

“People don’t want to leave Florey,” Shaw said. “It attracts buyers at all stages, whether they’re moving up, scaling down or trying to get into the market.”

Originally a display home, the single-level property on a 766-square-metre block was described as a “40-year time capsule” that immediately captured buyers’ attention.

Featuring multiple living areas, a segregated main-bedroom suite and a large pergola for outdoor entertaining, the home was primed for sale with fresh paint, new carpet and an extensive print media campaign.

$1,090,000

135 Ratcliffe Crescent, Florey ACT 2615

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Shaw said the final result was a testament to presenting a move-in-ready home.

“If owners put in the care and attention before going to market, the sale price will reward that effort,” she said. “Polishing the diamond before you go to market always helps.”

She added that practical upgrades to the home, such as double glazing, made a tangible difference to buyers who noticed the quiet atmosphere during inspections.

Florey’s strong capital growth – up 33.3 per cent over the past five years, according to Domain data – continues to be driven by its convenience, walking distance to local shops, and easy access to the Belconnen Town Centre.