Intensity Returns To National Auction Market
February auction market begins to heat up.
February auction market begins to heat up.
The home auction market has intensified into February with most capitals reporting a rise in buyer activity.
Off the back of a dour performance the previous weekend, Sydney and Melbourne reported sharply higher clearance rates at the weekend with the NSW capital breaking 80% with a clearance rate of 80.4%.
The national auction market reported a clearance rate of 79.1% at the weekend — higher than the 76.6% reported over the previous weekend yet lower than the 80.2% recorded over the same weekend last year.
National auction numbers surged at the weekend with 1362 homes listed for auction ahead of the 836 reported last weekend and up on the 1073 reported over the same weekend last year.
Sydney’s strong clearance rate was sharply higher than the 68.5% reported last weekend but still well below the 88.5% recorded over the same weekend last year.
However, the strong result comes despite a record day for February auctions with 563 homes listed for auction on Saturday — higher than last weekend’s 308 auctions.
Sydney recorded a median price of $1,760,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was higher than the $1,380,000 reported over the previous weekend and 25.7% higher than the $1,400,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.
Melbourne reported a clearance rate of 74.0% on Saturday – higher than last weekend’s 68.5% but well below the 81.6% recorded over the same weekend last year.
Yet, despite a surge in listings from the previous week — 491 homes reported listed compared to the season opener of 250 — the weekend rate was the highest reported since November 13, last year.
Melbourne recorded a median price of $914,500 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was higher than last weekend’s $873,000 but 1.7% lower than the $930,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.
Data powered by Dr Andrew Wilson, My Housing Market.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
Whimsy Farm is a playful period estate positioned in Byron Bay’s picturesque hinterland.
Tucked away in Byron Bay’s coveted hinterland, Whimsy Farm is a traditional rural homestead surrounded by more than 16ha of lush fertile grounds with equestrian facilities and a host of whimsical additions including a fairytale-inspired maze.
Just listed with Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay, agents Denzil Lloyd and Will Phillips are running an expressions of interest campaign on the glamorous getaway with a price guide of $5.25 million to $5.75 million.
The romantic estate in Federal, 25 kms from Byron Bay dates back more than a century, but has been meticulously renovated by its current owners to attain modern day dream home status.
Back in 2016, the enviable property even featured on Foxtel’s short-lived reality TV show I Own Australia’s Best Home. The picturesque parcel has also been appreciated by location scouts and has appeared in a long list of fashion brand and magazine shoots such as Country Style and Queensland Homes.
Owner Melinda Boundy, founder of boutique interiors firm Melinda Boundy Design, was instrumental in reviving the historic Federal homestead. She has described the rural property as a “a respite from the world” where she and her husband have raised their two sons over the past decade.
“I brought my boys down 10 years ago to nurture their creativity, their boyhood,” Boundy said in a recent Instagram post announcing the impending sale.
“We found our farm with its double-storey treehouse and 40 acres the perfect place for two young boys to thrive.”
In addition to hiring out the estate for formal events, Boundy said the family had celebrated several milestones at the address.
“Many parties, sleepovers, friends staying and events have been held [here]. It has seen the filming of a TV show or two, music videos, location shoots and weddings,” she added.
“Now it’s time to pass the baton to another family to share the magic and wonderment of this beautiful compound.”
Lloyd agreed that the listing is a magical estate, ripe for the picking.
“It’s a wonderland. There’s the maze, but it’s also got the treehouse, teepee, dams, beautiful established veggie gardens and it’s perfect for those who love horse riding,” Mr Lloyd said.
“It really is an oasis with plenty of classical charm as well. It’s not an ostentatious home; it’s an original Queenslander from 1910.”
Living up to its storybook name, Whimsy Farm is home to a preserved traditional Queenslander residence with five bedrooms, plus a freestanding guest cottage. There is also a separate pool house and a combined shed or office on site, all capturing scenic hinterland views.
The main single-storey residence has a choice of entertaining spaces inside and out as well as bedrooms opening to private alfresco areas. A grand kitchen and the large living room both open to a vast terrace and pool area.
In the primary bedrooms suite there is a bay window overlooking the natural surrounds, an ensuite with double vanities, and out on the covered deck an outdoor bathtub is an idyllic spot for soaking under the stars.
The playful property has also operated as a holiday rental and offers up unique bonus features including a solar-heated semi circle pool, a double-storey treehouse, a teepee, horse stables, paddocks and a an Olympic-sized dressage arena.
A true tree change destination, the Federal address is home to 10 acres of regenerated forest, eight water tanks, two lagoons, extensive raised veggie gardens and a citrus orchard.
It is conveniently located a scenic 30-minute drive to Byron Bay and 20 minutes to Bangalow.
Whimsy Farm at 711 Federal Dr, Federal is listed through Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay through an expressions of interest campaign closing February 20, 5pm.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.