For the children
Big audience on site and online tipped for charity auction
Arecord crowd is tipped to attend this year’s Good Friday Appeal Charity Home auction — in person and from their living rooms.
The no-reserve auction will be held on site, at 1 Varanasi Drive in Wollert, and online via Anywhere Auctions from 2pm on April 2.
Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive Gil King said this would allow bidders from across the country to take part.
“We’re expecting a record audience this Good Friday — it’s set to be the biggest public auction since COVID-19 restricted crowd numbers,” Mr King said.
“It’s a great opportunity for househunters to secure a slice of the Melbourne property market with the knowledge their purchase will support the Royal Children’s Hospital.”
For the first time in 13 years, a new auctioneer will send the charity home under the hammer — and he is determined to top off a record-breaking day by setting a price benchmark.
The REIV’s 2020 Senior Auctioneer of the Year, Andy Reid, of Sold By Group, will take bids for the four-bedroom Vogue 34 house, donated by Henley Homes. It comes with a 508sq m block of land gifted by Villawood Properties in its Rathdowne estate.
Mr Reid is taking the gavel from master auctioneer Adrian Butera. He vowed to bring his A-game to the “tremendous honour”.
And even though the house could sell for any figure, the auctioneer said he had a firm one in mind.
“If I don’t crack $900,000, I’ll be irritated,” he said, noting the record was set at $860,000 in 2018.
“Being a dad of two, there’s always going to be a sensitivity towards these sorts of causes.
“I’ve also had younger members of family back in England who have needed resources like this. It’s going to give me extra momentum.”
Mr Reid said he expected up to 400 people to turn out to the event in person.
He described the prize on offer as a “gorgeous Hamptons-style property” with a basketball court out back and all its furnishings thrown in.
“From the street appeal to the kitchen, it feels very homely,” he said.
Other highlights include Smeg kitchen appliances, a security system and a 6-star energy rating.
The REIV has confirmed that each year from now on, the winner of its Senior Auctioneering Competition will be offered the opportunity to auction the Good Friday Appeal Charity Home.
Over the years, the charity auction has poured more than $16.2m into the Royal Children’s Hospital.