$2.3m win with one keen spectator on four legs

Sunlight streamed across the colossal entertainer's deck at 183 Empress Terrace, Bardon, as a crowd gathered to witness one of Brisbane's most spirited auctions this season. With panoramic views, soaring ceilings and timeless character features like VJ walls and ornate ceiling roses, the home had already won hearts before the bidding began.

Seventeen registered bidders stood ready, ten of them active, while one particularly attentive spectator - a dog perched on an outdoor sofa - eyed the auctioneer with intent.

"He didn't have opposable thumbs to hold a paddle," joked Oikos listing agent Harrison Mastropostoulos, "otherwise I think he would've entered the action."

Bidding opened at $1.5 million, but a bold $500K leap immediately catapulted the contest to $2 million, trimming the field to six. From there, the pace danced between $50K and $25K increments before slowing to $5K nudges, only to rebound with $20K surges. At the $2.2 million mark, two determined parties remained.

As the sun dipped behind Bardon's leafy ridges, a local couple who had sold their apartment just the day before, outlasted an interstate investor to claim the keys for $2.3 million.

Brisbane auction volume was down 12% week on week, according to Cotality, with 151 homes taken to market. The preliminary clearance rate held reasonably firm at 66.1%, a slight rise from last week's 65.6%.

Flurry of cash offers, 70 groups in two days and one determined buyer

The sale of 18/48 Henry Street in Fremantle's historic West End delivered a result as vibrant as its location. Nestled within the prestigious Parklane Apartments, this luxurious two-bedroom residence drew a staggering 70 groups through its doors over just two days, an emphatic testament to the soaring demand for premium lock-and-leave living in Freo.

"The level of interest was phenomenal," said White House listing agent Connie Handcock. "Prices have jumped substantially in Fremantle due to supply and demand, and this property was a clear standout." With its sleek jarrah floors, dual balconies, and open-plan design, the apartment offered a rare blend of elegance and lifestyle appeal. Buyers were captivated by the seamless indoor-outdoor flow, the gourmet kitchen and the "unbeatable walkability to Bather's Beach, Esplanade Park and Fremantle's buzzing café and cultural scene".

Multiple cash offers poured in from eager buyers hoping to secure a foothold in this highly sought after pocket. At the end of the day, a mature-aged gentleman claimed the keys with a commanding $1.3 million offer, leaving all other contenders in his wake.

Only five auctions were held in Perth and no auctions in Tasmania, according to Cotality.

The Henry Street sale reflects the strength of the Fremantle market and its enduring appeal of lifestyle-driven living in one of WA's most iconic coastal precincts.

Family triumphs at auction finale

The auction at 3 Shiraz Street drew a lively crowd eager to see the three-bedroom Adelaide home with a detached granny flat pass under the hammer. Ten registered bidders attended, with five actively competing throughout the sale.

Ray White auctioneer John Morris opened proceedings with confidence, and bids quickly escalated from the start. The early momentum carried through in steady increments, with the floor seeing waves of $10,000 and $5,000 lifts that kept the room tense and engaged. Observers noted the energy in the room as potential buyers assessed each rise carefully, with only a handful managing to stay in the race.

As the bidding narrowed, it came down to a local couple, parents of two, who had been eyeing the property for some time and were determined to secure their forever home. Their focus paid off, clinching the property for $830,000 and outlasting the active participants, leaving the crowd applauding the outcome.

For the vendor, who had lived at the property for 12 years, the sale was both exciting and emotional. She and her family are relocating, marking the end of a significant chapter.

The auction demonstrated a strong buyer appetite for homes in desirable locations with potential for flexible living. It was a textbook example of an engaged crowd, clear strategy and competitive tension leading to a successful result, with the winning couple celebrating what they described as "just as good as winning a grand final."

84 homes went auction in Adelaide, a 32% decrease relative to a week ago, with the preliminary clearance rate falling to 76.6% from 85.5% the week prior, according to Cotality.