A ‘cracking’ start to 2024 with strong weekend property auction results
It was the second-biggest start since 2008 with 1,671 homes going under the hammer
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More than seven in 10 homes that went to auction on Saturday sold under the hammer, delivering a preliminary national clearance rate of 73.9 percent across the combined capital cities, according to CoreLogic data. The strongest result was seen in Canberra where 80 percent of the 75 homes auctioned were sold. Adelaide recorded a 77.6 percent clearance rate, Sydney 76.3 percent, Melbourne 71.9 percent and Brisbane 68.5 percent.
Impressive clearance rates were also recorded in regional areas. Newcastle and Lake Macquarie hosted 37 auctions with a 77.8 percent clearance. The Gold Coast saw 126 homes go to auction with a clearance of 65.3 percent. For perspective, a clearance rate of 60 percent reflects normal market conditions, with anything above this indicating strong selling conditions and high buyer demand.
Australia’s biggest agency network, Ray White, also reported a 74 percent clearance rate for the 387 auctions it conducted on Saturday. The company said the market was roaring back in 2024, with the number of buyers attending open inspections up by 24 percent since 1 January compared to the same period last year.
CoreLogic said the first major week of auctions had set a “cracking pace” for the market in terms of volume and sales success. Saturday was the second-biggest start to a new year’s auction season since CoreLogic began keeping records in 2008. A total of 1,671 homes went to auction across the capital cities. CoreLogic economist Kaytlin Ezzy said the clearance rates in Sydney and Melbourne represented “a sizeable step change” compared to the end of last year.
“Overall, it looks like auction markets are starting the year on a strong footing,” Ms Ezzy said. “Potentially, the news of low inflation and the possibility of early rate cuts is already boosting sentiment. The next few weeks should provide further guidance on whether this strong result is simply some early-year exuberance or a trend that can persist.”
Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed inflation fell to 4.1 percent in December, lower than the expected forecast of 4.5 percent, representing a two-year low. Prior to the figures being released, most economists were predicting that interest rates could start to fall by September this year.
The first interest rate decision by the Reserve Bank will be announced at 2.30pm today. Following on from changes signalled last year in the way the rate decision is announced, Governor Michele Bullock will conduct a press conference to explain the board’s decision and answer questions from journalists at 3.30pm.
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$30 Million Nashville-Area Estate Quietly Looks for a Buyer.
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A 120-acre property 35 miles outside of Nashville, Tennessee, is selling off market for $30 million, making it the second-most-expensive home for sale in the state.
Located in Franklin, about 20 minutes from downtown, Cortina Farms is both a private residence and an event venue, which charges up to $56,000 to rent for the day, according to Compass, which is marketing the pocket listing. Erin Krueger holds the listing.
The only residence on the open market with a higher price in Tennessee is another Franklin property, which spans 749 acres and is asking $37.5 million.
Cortina Farms takes design inspiration from the Italian countryside, with stonework heavily featured around the verdant grounds.
The main house, with a stone exterior and a shingled roof, has approximately 2,500 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Outside, there’s a covered back porch, an outdoor grill, a pool and a hot tub. There are also two guest apartments off the main house, each with a bedroom and a full bathroom.
In addition to its event business opportunities, the property is also designed for an equestrian, with two barns featuring a total of 12 stalls. Near the stables are four large fenced pastures that equal about 10 acres.
Other amenities include a wellness center, a party barn with a catering kitchen, an amphitheater, two lakes stocked with bass and catfish, and a helipad. Scenic trails for walking, running or ATV riding meander throughout the property past creeks, mature trees and waterfalls, according to information provided by Compass.
The property last traded hands in 2021 for $9 million, records on PropertyShark show. The owners weren’t available for comment.
The Nashville metro area has become a luxury real estate hot spot over the past few years, largely attracting people from Los Angeles as well as other out-of-state buyers looking for properties with a large amount of acreage.
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