The Weekend Post - Real Estate
VENDOR’S DECISION ON AUCTION PAYS OFF
The sale of a Machans Beach house at auction well above the reserve price shows that buyers are prepared to pay good money for quality assets in Far North Queensland
WHEN bidding for a million-dollar beachfront home slowed down to $1000 increments, LJ Hooker Edge Hill principal Ross Moller was still having “fun”.
The veteran real estate agent helped colleague Nadine Edwards and the previous owners of 78 Cinderella St, Machans Beach auction the house for $1.085m, $35,000 above the “well-priced” reserve.
“When the bidding got to about $1m, it really slowed down, the auction took about half an hour,” he said.
“It was fun to do. Some properties are purely auctioned because we have to get the price right and some people aren’t realistic with their price.
“But this one — they were realistic with their price but they wanted to see if there was anything extra in the market, which they got. The seller was ecstatic.”
Mr Moller said the six-bedroom beachfront home attracted four registered bidders and sold to a Coffs Harbour buyer, but about 30 people had attended the auction.
“From neighbours who wanted to see what was happening, to buyers who weren’t ready for the auction terms, but they were probably hoping it fell over to jump on afterwards. It was of very high interest, during the marketing campaign we had probably 50 or 60 groups.”
The double-storey, now renovated Queenslander belonged to a couple who work in health and have moved to New South Wales, but it was the first time the house was on the market in 26 years. However, it was previously located at Charles St, Cairns North before being moved to Machans Beach.
“It’s a lifestyle house, you walk down from the deck and you’re on the sand,” Mr Moller said.
“This is a case proving auctions are working in this current climate and we will often get a better than expected result in the market.”
And from the northern shores of New South Wales, to Cairns’ northern beaches the new owners of this home are set to enjoy a private, elevated beachside pool surrounded by a timber deck, providing the ultimate space to unwind.
Meals will come from the well-appointed kitchen which is positioned perfectly to service the full width veranda — the ideal spot to relax or entertain all year round and absorb the breathtaking sea view.
Upstairs has formal and informal living areas, kitchen, front veranda and three bedrooms including a master bedroom with ensuite and private access to the veranda.