Space Paddington‘s Judi O’Dea said a renovated Queenslander for sale in Southerden Avenue had merged the area’s heritage with the need for family accommodation.
“The home at 37 Southerden Avenue was built in the late ’30s,” she said. “It’s a very elegant home, particularly when you come inside.
Auctioneer Nick Penklis and selling agent Judi O’Dea in the foreground. Photo: Jim Malo
“It was renovated years ago and my sellers have been here about 3½ years.”
Once the vendors moved in, they added their own touches: a pool with fountain-style jets, and touched up worker’s cottage down the back.
“They’ve kept a little cottage. It’s actually a little worker’s hut it’s beautiful,” Ms O’Dea said. “My sellers absolutely love it. They love sitting down there and watching the kids play in the pool and having a drink.”
Ms Shield said the new owners were happy with the $1.46 million purchase. Photo: Supplied
The five bedroom home struck a chord with buyers, prompting fierce bidding when it went to auction on Saturday.
Auctioneer Nick Penklis took an opening bid of $1 million, but rapid fire increases from two buyers’ agents shut the rest of the competition out.
And 55 bids later, the house sold for $1.46 million.
46 Bertha Street, Kalinga from the street. Photo: Supplied
PS Property Advisory’s Belinda Shields said the auction was a thrill.
“It’s very exciting and you never get sick of bidding at auction,” she said. “We were going in strongly, we were pretty confident we’d secure the purchase.”
Her clients, a family with two young boys, were stoked. “The husband is over the moon. He’s very, very excited,” Ms Shields said. “He’s about to call his wife who’s interstate at the moment.”
Auctioneer David Treloar holding the Bertha Street auction. The home was marketed by Jon Finney, not pictured. Photo: Jim Malo
She said the family-specific features was the biggest draw for her buyers.
“It’s a family home, two living areas, it’s got space for the kids to move into downstairs,” Ms Shields said. “The pool, the position, the location was the key.
“Very family oriented suburb, very good school catchments. They’re already living in the area and they’re stepping up.”
The four bedroom home sold for $1,049,000. Photo: Supplied
Later on Saturday in tiny and family-oriented Kalinga, another family home was the subject of competitive bidding.
The auction kicked off with a low bid of $500,000 for the four bedroom home at 46 Bertha Street, but it quickly went up to $1 million with about two dozen bids.
After a brief pause, the home was placed on the market and sold for $1,049,000 shortly after.
Auctioneer David Treloar said the competition proved the popularity of small, exclusive and family-oriented suburbs.
“A clear barometer of the market is how many registered bidders there are prepared to enter into unconditional contracts at the market price,” he said.
“With seven registered bidders and 80 groups through, and with a bit of competition we were able to push it higher than pre auction offers and the seller’s expectations.”
Kalinga’s streets were lined with high-quality homes, and Mr Treloar said that also drove up prices.
“It’s an exclusive little pocket now, it’s really becoming a really desirable location,” he said. “It’s an area where you can drive down and see the continual money being invested in the homes. It’s a really house proud and small little pocket.”