Bush setting triggers 11 offers
AN East Geelong family is looking forward to getting back to nature after beating 10 other buyers for the keys to an Anakie hideaway that sparked a torrent of offers and sold in a week.
The new owners inspected and bought the 5.78ha bush property on the same day after a big crowd at the first weekend open brought the sale to a head.
First National Golden Plains, Bannockburn agent
Owen Sharkey said he received an unprecedented 11 separate offers for the three-bedroom house with valley views at 340 Oneils Lane, Anakie.
He said it sold for close to $700,000, beating price hopes of $645,000 to $675,000.
The buyer, who did not want to be identified, said the COVID-19 lockdown reinforced his family’s desire to move out of suburbia.
He grew up on acreage and said he was keen to create more opportunities to get his young children off screens and into the outdoors.
“We had been wanting to get them out and about and COVID probably brought it to a head,” he said.
“We have been building garden beds in the backyard with my son but there is only so much you can do.”
He said was surprised by the level of interest, describing the property as “not the most spectacular place”.
“We couldn’t believe the number of people out there, I drove out there with my wife and we were thinking there will be no-one there,” he said.
The steel framed house has an open-plan living area, two bathrooms and long veranda taking in rural views.
Mr Sharkey said he’d never listed a property that had sparked so much interest.
“We already four offers (before the open) and we ended up with 11 offers, which I have never had before,” he said.
He said it appealed to Melbourne and Geelong buyers seeking a tree-change.