22nd December 2013 / Jeremy Desmier: Fletchers Group News Update – 23 December

It is hard to believe that less than a week out from Christmas Day, we had a full line up of auctions! The day did not disappoint, in what was an outstanding finish to the year. There was a lower volume of auctions with less than 500 recorded by the REIV, with a clearance rate of 67% recorded, compared to 55% on the same weekend last year. The Fletchers Group exceeded expectations, achieving a success rate of 94%…the perfect Christmas present!

With so many properties sold before or on the day, it was no wonder that many of our agents had a 100% success rate! Daiman Kane from our Balwyn North office was one of those agents, selling homes across Templestowe Lower, to Doncaster East, to Balwyn North! He ended the day with an impressive five bidders competing for the home at 17 Corby Street, Balwyn North – the quality three bedroom home offered scope to modernise, with the 887 sqm approx. block also providing options as a possible new home site (STCA)…all within the Balwyn High School Zone!

Multiple bidders were the theme of the day, with 3+ bidders at nearly every auction…showing just how strong the activity was! Senior Property Consultant and Auctioneer, David Taylor, experienced some intense bidding at the auction of 1/84 Windsor Crescent in Surrey Hills…with three bidders making a total of 209 bids (of which 2 bidders made 202 bids)! The vendor's reserve was set at $1.025 million and the quality home sold for $1.212 million, after one and a half hours of bidding…the longest auction David has ever done…in over 35 years! The crowd numbers were at around 110 people at the start of the auction and had dwindled down to around 45 by its end…there must have been some Chrissy shopping to be done that just couldn't wait!

Director and Auctioneer, Tim Heavyside also achieved a 100% success rate under the hammer, including a huge price for the four bedroom, c1957 family home at 12 Ellsa Street in Balwyn North. On an elevated corner block of approximately 1,019 sqm, it offered enormous potential as a new home site or scope to modernise and extend the existing home (STCA). His vendor was thrilled and so was the crowd, enjoying free coffees from the popular coffee van.

Six bidders put their hands up at the auction of 12 Calvin Crescent in Doncaster East, a home that also offered the benefits of being in an elevated position with development potential (STCA). Auctioneer Jeremy Desmier knocked it down as sold for an undisclosed amount, above reserve.

For all of Fletchers recent sales, visit our award-winning website.

It has certainly been a big year in real estate and we would like to extend our congratulations to all who have bought and sold throughout the year. A big thank you to all our clients, families and friends for all your support – we look forward to reporting to you again in 2014!

Have a wonderful festive season and best wishes for a happy and successful New Year.

The coffee vans were a popular attraction at auctions on the weekend!