Beautiful East Ivanhoe….

Yesterday was an exciting auction day for three buyers who all had something in common. They’d been searching hard for the right home, and some for longer than others. One delightful couple had been looking for three years.

Another had cleverly noted selling prices and market capital growth trajectories. He’d overlaid all of the areas he’d love to live in and worked through a reliable process of auction result collation and suburb-matching to decide on the most suitable locations and dwelling types to pursue with his budget. Then he engaged us to help him get the one he loved.

Our last auction of the day was for a family returning from expat life overseas, and our buyer who had returned early for a long stay before the rest of his clan arrive had the enormous task of inspecting all of our shortlisted options. Not only did he pack more than our regular “two to five” in each week, but he canvased three differing locales in tandem and managed stellar Saturdays exceeding ten property inspections. His effort paid off. He had managed to fit three months’ worth of searching into one very hectic month and found the one a fortnight ago.

All three buyers yesterday could say “the search is over.”

My 2pm auction threatened rain… not an unusual threat in Melbourne during the spring months. We had enjoyed a great coffee at East Ivy, an edgy cafe just walking distance away off a side street in ‘the village’… close enough to discuss the auction possibilities and share some of my bidding strategies. but tucked away enough to ensure we wouldn’t be likely to be seated beside other potential bidders.

Once I arrived at the property I could easily spot my competition. Some were anxiously on the phone, others were jittery. This house had everything a family could treasure; four good bedrooms, a stunning master with ensuite, large formal lounge and great integrated living/dining/kitchen, a second (and cavernous) downstairs living area for children, and a massive upstairs entertaiing deck accessed through bifolds and french doors offering a vista out over the treetops.

Best of all, the block was a whopping 948sqm.

I identified my strongest competing buyer and stood where I could see him eye to eye, yet be audible for the auctioneer. The limited number of Chinese buyers present was partly thanks to the house number; 41. Feng Shui and numerology can account for buyer demand often, and we did breathe a sigh of relief for our buyer when he initially signaled his interest in a house featuring the number four and one together.

Unlucky in some cultures, but lucky for us yesterday.

Quality brick family houses in these tightly held north-eastern, hilly and leafy suburbs are highly contested so any reprieve from extreme competition is welcomed. My main competitor was a challenge to shake off. He rose to the challenge but opted out when I countered with a stronger increment, but re-entered on the final call three times. My last bid was with gusto, and rounded his thousand dollar bid to the next ten. His wife’s indiscreet “stop” was caught my more than just me and he finally slumped his shoulders and let the auctioneer knock down the property.

Our search was over and our client’s enormous and tireless effort rewarded him.

Wishing our fantastic buyers years of happiness and great memories in their incredible new home.