Busy roads and small spaces don't stop auction prices soaring

In an unorthodox morning of bidding, a Fairlight auction packed out the Cunninghams office to compete for a home on busy Sydney Road.

On the National front, auction activity eased last week, with 1,786 homes taken to auction across the country, the lowest number since the King's Birthday long weekend four weeks ago. While volumes were down, this figure remained slightly above the same time last year, when 1,776 homes were brought to market.

Despite the dip in activity, the preliminary clearance rate held firm at 73.1 percent, slightly down from 74.5 percent the week prior. That earlier figure was later revised to 67.9 percent, which still marked the highest final clearance rate recorded since March. Encouragingly, the preliminary clearance rate has remained above the 70 percent mark for four consecutive weeks and in eight of the past ten.

Melbourne led the nation in volume, with 756 homes going under the hammer, a significant drop from 962 auctions the week before. So far, 75.5 percent of reported Melbourne auctions have been successful, edging up from 75.2 percent the previous week, which was later revised to 68.2 percent. The city has now maintained a preliminary clearance rate above 75 percent for three straight weeks.

Sydney followed with 691 auctions, down from 771 the previous week. Its preliminary clearance rate slipped to 72.5 percent, one percentage point below the week prior, with final figures likely to be revised similarly to previous weeks.

Among the smaller capitals, Brisbane led with 155 auctions and a 70.8 percent preliminary clearance rate. Adelaide recorded 102 auctions with a success rate of 65.7 percent, while the ACT saw 69 auctions and a strong 73.1 percent success rate, the territory's best result since mid-March.

Auction volumes are expected to decline further, with around 1,445 homes currently scheduled for next week and approximately 1,500 the week after.

Luxe, leafy, locked in. Toorak apartment fetches $1.73m in hotly contested auction

A generously proportioned apartment in one of Toorak's most tightly held enclaves sold under the hammer on Saturday for $1.73 million, as competitive bidding reaffirmed buyer appetite for premium, house-sized apartments in boutique settings.

Set amid lush north-facing gardens at 8/40 Lansell Road, the oversized three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment impressed with its refined interiors, separate living and dining zones and expansive balcony designed for year-round entertaining. Positioned on the second floor of a rarely offered block, it offers scale, style and seclusion.

David Stringer, listing agent at Marshall White, said the property attracted 50 groups during the campaign, with five bidders stepping forward on the day. "There was strong interest because it's hard to find apartments this size in such a quiet, private location," he said. "These types of properties always perform well, and this one didn't let down."

Stringer described the auction as "spirited," noting that only two bidders were registered pre-auction, but more joined in as the momentum built.

"This is the kind of place that works as a permanent home, a Melbourne base or a lock-up-and-leave. It really doesn't get much better than this on Lansell Road," he added.

With features including a designer kitchen, luxurious main suite, ducted heating, Versace tiling and two secure carports, the move-in-ready residence offered both immediate lifestyle appeal and long-term investment confidence.

Packed office and happy tears as Fairlight townhouse commands $2.6m

A sun-soaked Fairlight townhouse with sweeping views and serious family appeal has sold for $2.68 million after a dramatic auction that ended with hugs, happy tears and exchanged phone numbers.

Set in a boutique block of six at 1/190 Sydney Road, the four-bedroom residence blends house-like proportions with easy Northern Beaches living. Landscaped gardens and a gated courtyard provide a peaceful welcome, while two north-facing terraces capture sweeping views from Seaforth to Collaroy Plateau.

Georgie Bates of Cunninghams said the campaign drew strong crowds, with buyers loving the sunny terraces, solid build and flexible tri-level floor plan.

Despite only two registered bidders, the auction delivered drama. The owners moved it from the property site to Cunninghams' Balgowlah office to avoid the noise of Sydney Road. The office quickly filled with bidders and their extended families, creating an unexpectedly intense setting.

Bidding jumped in $10,000s, $20,000s and $40,000s. The underbidder shook his head four separate times, then stepped outside for a five-minute breather before finally conceding.

The winning buyer, overcome with emotion, teared up and exchanged numbers with the sellers. "They're already talking about buying some of the furniture," Bates said. "They're thrilled and keen to renovate."

Featuring a Bosch kitchen, double-glazed bedrooms, multiple living zones and a versatile lower-level retreat, the townhouse balances privacy, light and family function.

"This kind of property rarely comes up," Bates said. "It has space, sun and a great community around it."

When detail counts, 13 Gavin Street Warrnambool sets a new street record

A crowd of 40 gathered to watch a tightly contested auction in Warrnambool on Saturday, where 13 Gavin Street sold under the hammer for $790,000, a new record for the street.

Ray White listing agent Fergus Torpy said there was strong interest in the modern, renovated home throughout the campaign, culminating in three "solid bidders", all families, going head-to-head on auction day.

"These were people genuinely looking for their forever home," Torpy said. "There wasn't a lot of showboating. It was a determined, respectful back-and-forth. Just really straightforward, steady bidding."

Bidding opened at $750,000 and climbed in $5,000 and $10,000 increments with no pauses. In the end, it was a couple with deep ties to the neighbourhood who came out on top.

"They were expats from the area who had grown up nearby and always wanted to come back," said Torpy. "So it wasn't just a property purchase for them. It was about coming home."

Torpy said the sellers had put a huge amount of thought and detail into the renovation, and buyers could see that.

"The house has that clean, modern look that people want, but it also has warmth and personality. It's not cookie-cutter," he said. "It just really resonated with the families who walked through."

The result, he added, was no surprise. "It deserved to break the street record. The response from buyers backed that up."