Car pulled apart to free possum
HIGHTON is tipped to become the next “it” suburb as strong price growth in Geelong’s inner and middle rings push home buyers to seek better value for money.
The $745,000 auction sale of a three-bedroom, brick-veneer house in Roslyn Rd at the weekend is a sign of things to come as buyers realise the value on offer in both the old and new sections of the suburb.
Geelong agent Paul Bell said the 757sq m property at 261 Roslyn Rd sparked huge interest from first-home buyers, mum-and-dad investors and developers.
Mr Bell handed out 69 contracts during the campaign.
Price expectations before the auction were $470,000 and bidding opened at $425,000.
Mr Bell said there were five bidders early, although two carried the bidding to $745,000.
“They are developers with a long-term plan,” Mr Bell said.
“It has a Residential Growth 2 zoning and is close to the village, so you can put more on the block,” he said.
Mr Bell said the result shocked the crowd of about 80 people, who were gasping as the bids increased.
CoreLogic data shows Highton’s median house price is $585,000, after 12 per cent capital growth this year.
But suburbs such as Manifold Heights, Geelong West, Hamlyn Heights and East Geelong have enjoyed stronger price growth as a ripple effect pushes more buyers into middle-ring suburbs such as Herne Hill.
Maxwell Collins, Geelong director Nick Lord said higher prices, especially in middle-tier suburbs such as Herne Hill and Hamlyn Heights, would turn buyers to see better value in areas like Highton.
“If you look at suburbs like Herne Hill, you have a $560,000 sale of a 1970s house on a small block, when you still go to places in Highton and for $650,000 you can still buy a 30sq brand new house with central heating, two bathrooms and four bedrooms. For affordability, I think that it is undervalued and we are going to see that lift,” he said. A SOUTH Geelong ringtail possum had a lucky escape on Monday after two wildlife rescuers managed to pry him out of a car engine.
Surf Coast Animal Rescue Service volunteers Jason Cichocki and Jen Gamble were called to the South Geelong oval after some schoolchildren and their teacher tried to help the possum, which ran underneath and up into the bonnet of a four-wheel drive.
Mr Cichocki told the Geelong Advertiser yesterday that when he arrived Ms Gamble was already underneath the car trying to coax him out.
“Jen had been on her way to the movies,” he said
“She was all dressed up but had crawled under the car in the mud to try and find him.”
Mr Cichocki said the possum had got himself into a tricky position and he had to dismantle parts of the car so they could help manoeuvre him out.
“He was obviously very scared,” he said.
“We managed to get him back past the starter motor and while I reassembled the car, Jen took him straight to the vet.
“The owner of the car, Amber, was really great about it. She obviously cared enough to call us, some people would have just started the car.”
The possum is now recovering at a shelter in Anakie where he will stay for a week or two before being released into the wild.
“We’ve rescued quite a few animals together,” Mr Cichocki said. “It’s all about good team work.”