PropertyP goes to the dogs
A Burleigh Waters home is the latest in a string of deceased estates bequeathed to animal charities.
All proceeds from the sale of a 1990s-built home at 2 Ruff Court will be donated to Guide Dogs Queensland in line with the wishes of the late owners.
Listing agents Deanne Marek and Linda Covino, of Black and White Estate Agents said the owners were an elderly couple who “just loved dogs”.
The auction comes just weeks after another deceased estate at Strathpine sold under the hammer for $705,000 with the entire amount going to the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ).
In 2023, Guide Dogs Australia was one of the beneficiaries of a charity auction at Robina where a three-bedroom home on a 773sq m lot sold for $951,000.
Ms Covino said the owners of the Burleigh Waters home left their entire estate to the charity, including not only the home in a southern Gold Coast “hot pocket”, but all of the money in their personal accounts.
“The owners were a lovely couple who are now deceased and they have always just loved dogs,” Ms Covino said.
“It is not even just the house — all their worldly possessions, accounts and everything are going to Guide Dogs Queensland.”
It is understood the couple were survived by some family members.
The house on a 682sq m lot in a quiet cul-de-sac has three
bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with two separate living zones, a formal dining room with raked ceilings, and a pool plus outdoor entertaining area.
More than 100 people attended the first open home inspection ahead of the auction on March 9.
“This is a great north-facing
block, and especially being a corner block, we are getting a lot of builders and renovators looking at the property,” Ms Covino said.
“As an organisation, we are always dealing with owners wanting the most and buyers wanting to pay the least, so it is quite refreshing to represent a sale where everything is going to charity.
“Everyone in the office has pitched in to get the most for the estate and for the Guide Dogs.”
Property records show it is the first time the home is on the market since the land was acquired for $150,000 in 1988.
The median house price in Burleigh Waters was up 1 per cent over the past 12 months to a median of $1.5m, Proptrack data shows.
Despite the recent spate of six-figure property donations, charity heads say it remains “rare” for homeowners to bequeath their entire estate.
“Gifts in wills are becoming more common as people are becoming more comfortable discussing their intentions prior to passing away,” AWLQ CEO Katie Garrett said.
“But certainly, someone leaving their entire house to us is not the norm.
“These types of gifts are not common and it’s humbling to be trusted with this type of donation.”