Investor snaps up sunlit unit

High interest in Adelaide's west was evident as 1/1 Irene Avenue, Fulham Gardens, went under the hammer, despite a modest crowd of about 20. Six registered bidders tested the waters, opening at $620,000 before hesitation slowed momentum. Small increments soon followed, with $10,000 and $20,000 jumps, until an interstate investor ultimately secured the deceased estate for $700,000.

Ray White agent Josch Muscio noted the local market remains active: "People were excited coming through the campaign. There's high interest in the suburb, and the lack of stock is driving prices up." He added that while the recent rate hike has slightly slowed some buyers, "it hasn't affected interest in well-priced, quality homes like this."

The two-bedroom unit, freshly refurbished and bathed in natural light, offered easy-flowing living with a surprisingly spacious backyard, features that attracted both first home buyers and investors. However, in this case, the auction outcome reflected timing and demand more than the interiors alone.

For those watching Adelaide's inner-west market, the result reinforces that limited stock and desirable locations are keeping buyer competition high, even amid cautious sentiment. Strategic bidding, patience, and market knowledge remain key to securing properties in these sought-after pockets.

There were 142 auctions were held in Adelaide with 82.6 per cent reporting a successful outcome, by far the highest preliminary clearance rate of any capital city, according to Cotality.

How a rare double-block property earned nearly 2000% return for downsizers

Land was the headline act at 41 Stirling Street, Enoggera, where an 810 square-metre parcel across two lots drew equal interest from developers and families. Four registered bidders stepped forward, opening at $2 million before a run of $100,000 bids quickly shifted the tone of the contest.

As the field narrowed, increments eased to $50,000 and $25,000 rises. A young Brisbane couple, who had stayed measured throughout, delivered the final $1,000 bid to secure the property for $2.55 million.

Place agent Matthew Jabs said the campaign reflected current supply pressures. "We saw a large mix of developers and families throughout the campiagn because of the double block," he said. "But otherwise, stock levels are the lowest I've seen in ten years."

Cotality's numbers show that Brisbane was home to 156 auctions this week, with 66.7 per cent reporting a positive result so far, down from 70.9 per cent the week prior.

The vendors, who purchased the property in 1991 for $133,500, are downsizing nearby after achieving nearly a twentyfold return on their original outlay, a 1,813 per cent increase.

Jabs said conditions remain uneven across price points. "Sub-$1 million is still hot, especially for first home buyers," he said, adding that limiting investor activity could create more opportunities for owner-occupiers.

500% return a high point for elevated cul-de-sac home

Sixty people gathered at the highest point of the street in Perth's west as 4 Bromilow Green, Mount Claremont went under the hammer, drawn by its elevation, landholding and long-held ownership. Five bidders registered, quickly narrowing to three active participants in a 12-bid contest that closed above the $2.1 million reserve at an undisclosed price.

Bidding opened at $1.5 million and built steadily as families competed for the four-bedroom home and its subdivision potential (STCA). The eventual buyers, a local family, were seeking a quieter setting than their current residence and moved confidently as the field tightened.

Ray White agent Matthew Yap said the campaign reflected renewed buyer momentum. "People are ready to buy. It's hard for them to find properties, but they're raring to go," he said. "One or two weeks after the rate rise there was noticeable apprehension, but that's already changed."

He noted the majority of inquiry came from owner-occupiers rather than investors, underscoring depth in the family market across Perth's western suburbs.

The vendors, who purchased the home 30 years ago for $353,500, achieved roughly a 500 per cent gain. Originally from China, they are closing a long chapter in a property that has evolved alongside the surrounding Perry Lakes precinct.

With limited stock and buyers prepared to act when the right opportunity surfaces, the result points to confidence returning quickly, particularly for well-located homes offering both liveability and land value.