Major Capitals Survive Super Saturday
The pre-Easter auction rush didn’t dampen clearance rates.
The pre-Easter auction rush didn’t dampen clearance rates.
The pre-Easter super Saturday of auctions has provided sellers with generally positive results this year, despite a deluge of listings.
The national auction market reported a clearance rate of 76.0% at the weekend — similar to the previous weekend’s 74.9% yet lower than the 86.2% recorded over the same weekend last year.
National auction numbers week higher at the weekend reflecting — as expected due to the pre-Easter holiday surge — with 3157 reported compared to the previous weekend’s 2551 and the 1909 reported over the same weekend last year.
Despite the market passing the most difficult test of the year so far, Economist Dr Andrew Wilson expects things to slow down.
“Markets will be relatively subdued over the remainder of April due to lengthy holiday distractions and the possibility of the commencement of a lengthy federal election campaign,” said Dr Wilson in his latest auction report.
Sydney reported a clearance rate of 69.4% at the weekend — almost the same as the previous weekend’s 69.7% but well below the 82.4% recorded over the same weekend last year.
The weekend saw a year-to-date high of 1214 auctions — well ahead of the previous weekend’s 958 and the previous year’s 765 auctions recorded.
The NSW capital recorded a median price of $1,815,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend — higher than the $1,800,000 reported over the previous weekend and the same weekend last year’s $1,550,000.
The Melbourne market survived one of the biggest auction days of the year, reporting a clearance rate of 69.8% on Saturday — just below the previous weekend’s 71.7% and lower than the 79.1% recorded over the same weekend last year.
The Victorian capital saw 1505 homes reported for auction over the weekend — significantly above the previous weekend’s 1259 and the 785 listed over the same weekend last year.
Melbourne recorded a median price of $1,105,500 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was lower than last weekend’s $1,134,000 – but 16.9% % higher than the $945,750 reported 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.