Auction watch: Hot start to the winter season for Canberra

A frosty start to the winter season failed to take the heat out of the Canberra property market.

An architect’s own house in Deakin was the biggest sale of the day, selling under the hammer for $2.2 million.

Number 23 Gawler Crescent attracted more than 100 groups to inspections and seven parties registered to bid for the five-bedroom property.

LJ Hooker Manuka principal Stephen Thompson said owner-architect Alastair McCallum had completely transformed the home.

“He had the vision that other people didn’t and put a lot of thought into the design,” Mr Thompson said.

The McCallums added a modern extension to the front of the 1940s red brick home.

Newly created living areas progress from formal entertaining at the entrance to casual family spaces at the heart of the home.

Mr Thompson accepted an opening bid of $1.5 million, which climbed quickly in $50,000 and $100,000 increments to $1.9 million. Bidding continued in smaller increments before stalling at $2.1 million.

Mid-auction negotiations with the vendor and highest bidder secured the $2.2 million sale.

Five of the seven registered parties placed a bid.

Mr Thompson said the result reflected the strength of the market.

“It’s the first auction day of winter and those thinking of selling in spring should move now,” he said.

“It’s more about the economic climate than the seasons.”

Mr Thompson said demand was outstripping supply in the tightly held inner south.

The Deakin house was the only property auctioned in the inner south this weekend.

A five-bedroom house at 18 Tennyson Crescent in Forrest was set to go under the hammer on Sunday.

It was snapped up prior to auction for $3.5 million through Luton Properties Woden agents Anthony McCormack and Anthony Weston.

Saturday’s clearance rate of 72.5 per cent was a slight drop from last week 78 per cent, according to Domain Group data.

See the entire list of auction results here.

18 Tennyson Crescent sold for $3.5 million prior to auction. Photo: Supplied